Final answer:
Project management software is a valuable tool that assists managers in organizing timelines, resources, and costs to successfully complete projects on time. It navigates common project challenges such as multitasking staff and competing priorities. By enabling better planning and communication, it plays a crucial role in ensuring project deadlines are met and objectives are achieved.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, project management software indeed allows managers to plan and schedule the people, costs, and resources needed to complete a project on time. These software tools provide clear timelines and can efficiently allocate resources to ensure projects remain on track despite the common challenges such as staff working on multiple projects and the pressure of competing priorities. For instance, in the context of engineering, missing a task deadline might lead to significant revenue loss or even project cancellation. Therefore, the ability to plan ahead, as Amy did in contrast to Allen who was scrambling to finish his projects, ensures smoother project implementation and helps in effectively managing workload and communication within the team.
Consider the 'Better Together' project example, where having a dedicated project team and budget did facilitate implementation, but challenges persisted due to the team members being stretched across several projects and partnership-related issues. Clearer task distribution and improved communication strategies would aid in addressing such hurdles. Effective project management software would have been instrumental in mitigating these issues by providing an overarching structure to track progress, manage tasks, and facilitate communication among team members.