Task management tools are used by individuals, teams, and organisations to plan and prioritise tasks and projects efficiently. The many off-the-shelf, generic task management tools on the market range from spreadsheets, to software and online project management platforms based on the Kanban board (a visual ‘note board’ style project management tool). Some of the better-known examples include Asana, Monday, Trello, and Jira. 

These generic tools have been developed to organise busy work lives. Functionalities typically include note taking, task-tracking, file-sharing, and cost management. Some offer built-in and customisable templates. Others promise process improvement and streamline workflow in your project plan. Still others can be integrated with your existing time management systems. Most task management tools promise to facilitate teamwork and ease of collaboration. 

So far so straightforward? Depends on your industry. While task management tools promise to solve your project management needs, highly specialised projects require specialist tools developed for the purpose, with an inside understanding of the complexities of enterprise resource planning for a particular industry.

Put simply, your cookie cutter work management solution isn’t designed to effectively manage technical and complex energy sector projects. 

And, that is why at Proteus, we don’t even consider ourselves comparable to these tools. So how should you select a tool for managing energy projects? Here are 5 reasons why you shouldn’t choose a generic task management tool:

1 Choose a project management solution built for evolving energy project lifecycles

Generic task management tools have limitations when applied to the energy project lifecycle. The one-size-fits-all approach limits the platform’s (and therefore the project manager’s) flexibility to adapt to the unique challenges of the evolving energy industry, decarbonisation, external market forces and an unpredictable geopolitical environment. This risks project delays and unsatisfactory project outcomes.

2 Choose a project management framework designed to handle complex projects

It goes without saying that energy projects are technically complicated. ERP for energy companies is developed with an understanding of the scale and complexity of energy projects. The project manager will need to manage resources across functions, departments, and sometimes organisations. Teams and assets may be in remote locations. Multiple stakeholders and subcontractors will require access to real-time data and project dashboards. A standard task management tool simply won’t cut it. 

3 Choose a technology solution that improves profit margins  

Some task management tools are more suited to repetitive process-driven tasks. Technology solutions should be easy to understand, intuitive and simple to use, but not so simple that they can’t efficiently deliver large, multi-layered projects.

4 Choose to invest in the best project management software for your business 

Investing in a tool that hasn’t been developed to address your end-to-end project management needs will only increase your overheads. Training and integration will take longer than expected. You’ll need to spend more money on add-ons – proposal building tools, project controls, invoicing software, scope management, and resource allocation tools. All this will cost you more in the long run.

5 Choose energy sector ERP with risk management capabilities

Generic task management tools are designed to handle the minutiae of day-to-day workflow. They don’t factor in the unforeseen curveballs, uncertainties, and challenges common to project management in the energy sector. Identify, monitor, and manage risks effectively with a project delivery solution designed for the energy sector. 

When you are investing in business management software identify the tools and processes most effective for your company and type of project. The generic task management software may promise a well organised life, but does it tick all the boxes for your business?

About us

Xergy Group’s Proteus work management solution is designed to work with your existing systems, and to scale and evolve as your business evolves. It was created by energy sector professionals, for the diversified energy sector, and delivers an end-to-end project management software platform compliant with ISO audit requirements and common project management frameworks.

How to get Proteus

Proteus’ work management software is a cloud-based system designed for businesses of all sizes to handle projects of unlimited complexity. Each Proteus feature is aimed at making bottom line improvements by improving utilisation, streamlining workflows, providing quick and efficient access to resources and reducing overheads. One of the unique advantages of Proteus is that we offer a free onboarding consultation service to ensure your company account is set up according to your company’s needs.

We recommend getting setup on a free trial. Proteus operates under a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. We offer Enterprise packages and flexible pricing solutions: contact our team to learn more.

We designed Proteus to be simple, and that means you can get up and running on Proteus without an IT team or support from a programmer. You will want to spend a bit of time configuring the admin console so that you have everything set up to suit your company structure, but it’s very intuitive and you don’t need a PhD in IT. However, we want you to get the best out of what is a brilliantly powerful tool, so don’t hesitate to ask for our support. We have a team of product experts who are ready to help you with the configuration process, so get in touch today.