If you have been around the project management and PPM space, you most likely have heard of the global giant Planview. With its wide range of tools, services and packages, trying to clearly piece together its advantages and disadvantages can be a struggle. We’re here to help you out!
What is Planview?
Planview is a global enterprise software company that was founded in 1989 in Austin, Texas. The company initially launched as a web-based resource and project portfolio management solution and has since expanded to cover a full spectrum of project portfolio management services and tools. In recent years it has gone to acquire several companies such as LeanKit, Spigit, Aptage, Clarizen and Changepoint to further expand its influence over the project portfolio management sphere.
It is no surprise that with their extensive catalogues of services and highly-rated tools they have become a prominent figure in the project portfolio management market. Some of their most popular products include Planview Enterprise One, Planview Clarizen, and Planview PPM Pro.
You would be here all day if we went through each and every product, so for this article, we will be focusing on Planview Enterprise One.
What is Planview Enterprise One?
Planview Enterprise One is an end to end project portfolio management software designed specifically to cater for large-scale, high-level and enterprise-wide needs.
Formerly known as Planview Enterprise and Troux, the software consists of two components – the Portfolio and Resource Management component (formerly Planview Enterprise) and the Capability and Technology Management component (formerly Troux). Its aim is to integrate business and technology planning to help optimise resources and achieve the best business performance across an entire enterprise.
Planview Enterprise One Pros
1. Start to end project management tools
It would not be an enterprise tool if it could not accommodate enterprise and project activities from start to finish. Planview Enterprise One comes with a wide range of tools and capabilities that help keep all your project management activities centralised on one platform. From early demand and ideation management and all the way down to everyday resource and time management. Their resource management tool is particularly powerful as it lets users see both macro and micro levels as well as highlights potential areas of overload.
2. Portfolio management specific tools
There was a reason Planview needed to differentiate from their PPM Pro product. Planview Enterprise One comes with specific tools and capabilities that are specifically geared to accommodate higher-level strategic planning and management needs.
Some handy tools include lean and product portfolio management tools, enterprise architecture features, analytical tools to help key decision-makers prioritise the right investments, allocate the right resources and ensure alignment with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
3. Software accessibility
Effective enterprise software needs to be accessible at any time, any place. Thankfully, Planview Enterprise One is a cloud-based service that is accessible on all major devices for Windows, Android, Mac and iOS.
Planview Enterprise One: Cons
1. Tools can be overwhelming
While having all the tools in the catalogue can be great, it can also be overwhelming especially for beginners. Several reviews have mentioned that the sometimes excessive amount of features means for a cluttered and complex UI that require some time and training to truly adapt to. If you are looking for a PPM solution that is one-and-done and you want uptake to be instant, you might have to have another think.
2. Data entry and specificity
While Planview Enterprise One may excel due to the level of detail that can be achieved throughout the system, it is all dependent on accurate data entry. Entering a lot of data is not only tedious and time-consuming, any mistakes made would take considerable time to find and alter. While these details may help in complex projects, more repetitive and simple projects will suffer under excessive documentation and processes.
3. Big upfront investment
Planview Enterprise One pricing is custom-configured to each organisation’s requirements and needs, so we do not have an exact estimate of how much it would cost an organisation. Depending on their internal price packages and configurations, you may find the viability of the software changes.
However, investment is not in money alone. Reviewers have noted that the software requires support and sponsorship from executive teams to be truly successful. As an enterprise-wide solution, there needs to be considerable buy-in and investment into the software implementation from both leadership figures and employees. If you testing the waters for a new PPM solution as a beginner and are not ready to make a big commitment yet, this might not be the best option.
Planview Enterprise One: Conclusion
Planview Enterprise One is definitely a very powerful and justifiably popular project portfolio management software. However, there is no ‘one software to rule them all ‘ as every organisation has unique requirements.
Planview Enterprise One is great for organisations that have had some experience with PPM software and are willing to make a big commitment and spend the time to draw out the most from its features and tools.
Planview Enterprise One Alternatives
So what if you don’t fit into that specific group of organisations? Don’t worry there are a few alternatives you can look into!
Planview Alternative 1: Microsoft Project
One of the oldest and most used project management software out there, Microsoft Project is a particularly appealing alternative if you pair it along with the Office365 subscription that gives you access to Microsoft powerful tools, especially Power Apps, Power BI and Power Automate that provide take your PPM activities to the next level with seamless automations, smart analytical tools and customizable applications to suit your need.
Planview Alternative 2: pmo365
Pmo365 is a one-stop-shop project portfolio management solution that has Microsoft’s stamp of approval with its Preferred Solution status. What makes pmo365 unique to other competitors is how they cater each and every solution to their client’s exact requirements, so you get what you need instead of a whole bunch of bells and whistles. But pmo365 doesn’t stop just at providing your software, they go a step further and provide DevOps services to make sure your iterative processes are running smooth and employees have all the necessary training to make the most out of their new tool. Have a deeper look at how pmo365 works here.
Planview Alternative 3: JIRA
JIRA is also a big name in the project management software space due to its flexibility and adaptability to more agile or iterative style projects. However, it is important to note that JIRA is not a project portfolio management software. It was initially created by developers, for developers. While you can use make additional customizations and integrations that can help you gain portfolio management tools, it excels more as a project tracking and management tool.
Get started with the solution that suits you best!
There is no doubt that Planview is a powerful tool and for great reason. But just because it is popular does not mean it may be the right solution for you.
Make sure to take a few things into consideration when picking your next PPM solutions.
- Evaluate your current PPM solutions and practices to identify what is needed
- Ensure your chosen solution addresses those specific needs
- Make sure the solution is aligned with your strategic objectives and existing IT strategy
- Examine licensing costs and conditions
- Consider the amount of time needed for solution implementation
To help you get started on picking the right solution for you, we have put together an Introductory Guide to PPM Software.
