The traditional methods of paperwork and manual processes have served us well in the past, but today when everything is powered by intelligence, they often hinder the potential for growth and progress. There are multiple challenges faced by EDOs in their pursuit of fostering vibrant communities and sustainable economic growth. The cumbersome paperwork, the endless data management, and the lack of real-time insights often hold them back from realizing their full potential.
Embracing innovation is the key to unlocking new avenues of success for Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) – and that’s where groundbreaking SaaS software helps.
Now, you may be wondering, “Why should I care about SaaS tools?” or “benefits of SaaS tools”. Because you’ve always relied on traditional paperwork to get the job done, so why change? Well, in an increasingly digital world, clinging only to the old ways can mean missing out on opportunities for faster growth and better innovation.
It’s like still using a horse-drawn carriage when everyone else is zipping around in electric cars. Sure, the carriage has its charm, but it’s not going to get you to your destination as fast or efficiently as the car. That’s the difference a good SaaS can make in your community’s economic development efforts.
Top 10 Steps for Making the Switch From Traditional Ways to SaaS Project Tracking
To illustrate how to best make this transition consider “throwing away your pen and paper.” Now you will be successful at entering everything into a SaaS. To transition from using paper to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for tracking your daily work activities, follow these steps:
1. Evaluate Available SaaS Options
Research and explore different SaaS tools that offer work-tracking or project management features. Consider factors such as functionality, user interface, pricing, and integration capabilities. Look for tools that align with your specific needs and preferences.
2. Select a Suitable SaaS Tool
Based on your evaluation, choose a SaaS tool for your economic development organization that best meets your requirements. Consider factors such as ease of use, compatibility with your devices (desktop, mobile), and the ability to customize or configure the tool to match your workflow.
3. Set up your account
Sign up for an account with the selected SaaS tool. Follow the onboarding process, provide the necessary information, and configure your account settings as per your preferences. Some tools may offer a trial period or a free version, allowing you to explore the features before committing.
4. Define Your Work Tracking Structure
Determine how you want to structure your work tracking to leverage the complete benefits of SaaS tools. Identify the key elements you need to track, such as tasks, projects, deadlines, and time entries. Create relevant categories, folders, or labels within the tool to organize your work and make it easier to track.
5. Resist The Urge to Write Long Notes
One of the best features of a SaaS is that key data points will be entered into separate fields rather than writing a long narrative story. This significant change in your work habits will allow the tool to produce meaningful reports that are data-rich but super easy for your leadership to read.
6. Input Existing Tasks and Projects
If you have existing tasks or projects recorded on paper, transfer them into the SaaS tool. Enter the necessary details, such as task names, due dates, and associated project information. This step helps to migrate your existing work tracking data into the digital format.
7. Explore Features and Customization
Familiarize yourself with the features and customization options provided by the SaaS tool. Learn how to create and manage tasks, set priorities, assign responsibilities, and track progress. Take advantage of additional features such as collaboration, and file attachments.
8. Establish a Routine
The most valuable SaaS is one that you open whenever and wherever you begin your work day. Choose one that integrates with your calendar appointments and tasks and is visible on the landing page. Set a daily routine for updating and using the SaaS tool. Determine how often you will review and update your tasks, record completed work, and make any necessary adjustments. Consistency is key to ensuring that your work tracking remains accurate and up to date.
9. Capture and Track Work in Real-time
Instead of relying on paper, make it a habit to log your work activities directly into the SaaS tool. As you complete tasks, update their status, record time spent, and add any relevant comments. This real-time tracking ensures accurate and up-to-date work records.
10. Regularly Review and Analyze
Take advantage of the reporting and analytics features provided by the SaaS tool. Regularly review your work data, track progress, and analyze trends or patterns. This information can help you identify areas for improvement, optimize your workflow, and make informed decisions.
Benefits of Using SaaS Tools for Economic Development
Now that you’ve chosen your economic development software, let’s talk about the benefits. First and foremost, SaaS tools for economic development offer efficiency. With automated workflows and data management, you can significantly reduce the time spent on paperwork, freeing up your team to focus on strategic initiatives.
Additionally, with all your data hosted on the cloud, you can access critical information anytime, anywhere. This allows for faster decision-making and improved collaboration among your team. Plus, with built-in analytics, you can gain insights into trends and patterns, helping you make data-driven decisions.
Finally, SaaS tools can be more cost-effective in the long run. You eliminate costs associated with paper, storage, and manual labor. Plus, with subscription-based pricing, you only pay for what you need, making it a financially viable option for organizations of all sizes.
Get The Most Effective Software as a Service for Your EDO
Local Economic Development CRM is more than just a tool; it’s the future of economic development. It offers an opportunity to break free from the shackles of paperwork and embrace a more efficient, effective, and sustainable way of driving, tracking, and reporting economic development.
We have developed ProTRACKPlus with a team with decades of experience in economic development. Through their years of hands-on experience, our team knows precisely what you need and want while working in an economic development environment. We have developed a kind of CRM that has 6 additional modules which will help you in managing content, producing reports, creating and sending surveys, calculating taxes and incentives, maintaining transparency, data storage, and more. You can also send the reports in real-time to your leadership, as everything is at your fingertips through the cloud.
Get in touch with us for a free demonstration today and expedite the EDO growth with ProTRACKPlus.