Final answer:
Using project management software effectively is challenging due to complex planning impacts, the need for clear timelines, design decision implications, multitasking demands, and inherent software limitations. Managers must navigate these while maintaining usability and understanding the intricacies of their projects.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is difficult to use project management software well due to several factors. First, clear timelines for planning and implementation must be set while understanding the impact these have on work schedules, especially when new programs lack dedicated staff. The strain on staff who need to balance paid work from funded projects and the demands of new projects can result in competing priorities, which becomes a challenge under tight funding conditions, such as those threatened during a conservative administration.
Conducting long-term needs and asset assessments to plan for impact and programming is difficult due to the inherent complexity and sometimes the limitations of the project management software itself - it can be challenging to analyze, parameterize, and communicate within the software, compounded by software and hardware restrictions.
Poor design decisions made early in the process can critically affect the ability to meet customers' needs. Furthermore, multitasking engineers working on multiple projects with various teams and deadlines have to navigate task criticality, where missing deadlines can lead to project cancellations or lost revenue. The aspect of work overload, defining managerial roles under conflict and ambiguity, managing difficult work relationships, and the challenges of collaborations, all add to the complexity.
Finally, for successful project management software integration, the evaluation of such software should be simple and practical for program managers to understand the 'what' and 'why' of their activities, ensuring usefulness and usability. It is also important to remain patient and flexible, as not all support materials or work areas may be fully prepared during the initial phases of using the software.