Big learning potential for smaller teams
Transform your business with an industry-leading LMS
Help employees grow with robust AEC & M assessments.
Supercharged features for next-level learning.
By submitting this form, you agree to the collection and processing of your personal data by Eagle Point Software. We value your privacy and will only use your information to provide the services you request, as outlined in our Privacy Policy. From time to time, we may send updates about our products and services, but you will always have the ability to opt out of these communications.
Traditionally, project management decisions hinge around three major axes: scope, time, and cost: i.e., what you’re doing, how long it will take you, and how much money you have to accomplish it. These three variables are closely intertwined, and shifting one will usually have significant impacts on the other two. Project planning involves finding a compromise across all three that you can confidently deliver on.
We’ve looked at how the Pinnacle Series Learning Management System (LMS) can help you build and maintain your project timeline, but the other side of the coin is no less important. A project budget sets expectations for your team and your stakeholders, and depending on the significance of the project, can be a key factor in your organization’s financial planning.
Staying within the bounds of your budget requires streamlined, nimble operations. A powerful, flexible knowledge platform like Pinnacle Series provides the tools to get it done.
An essential part of delivering a project under budget is developing a realistic budget in the first place. When you plan accurately for your project’s costs, you can ensure that it’s properly resourced for success. You also have the in-depth knowledge needed to communicate the project’s return on investment to leadership and stakeholders, and can monitor it more closely for scope creep and other threats.
Pinnacle Series supports your budgeting efforts by consolidating data about similar projects you’ve completed in the past. You can recruit detailed information about pricing, resource usage, timelines, contingency funds, and more into the estimates you’re building for your next project. With it, you can refine your estimates for your current goals, and avoid unpleasant surprises and emergency spending.
Say you’re approaching a software rollout, for example. In the past, similar upgrades have produced a 25% increase in support tickets each day, lasting roughly a week. Having this information in advance allows you to budget and plan for extra staff during the rollout. Without it, you could face an unexpected crunch and find yourself hiring temporary help at a higher rate or paying overtime for extended hours.
No matter the type of projects you tackle, unexpected challenges are inevitable. Project goals change, a team member has a conflict, supplies are delayed… the possibilities are endless, and the more moving parts your project has, the greater the chance of disruption. The best way to mitigate the consequences, though, is to spot roadblocks early and handle them as soon as possible.
A centralized knowledge platform like Pinnacle Series provides a framework for you to collect and keep an eye on project KPIs, making it easier to pinpoint when things start to go off track. If a project requires team members to earn a certification before work can start, it could easily be knocked off course when the project team is diverted from their training by competing priorities. But Pinnacle Series gives you the tools to track and support their learning progress. When you see engagement drop, you can adjust timelines or workloads as needed to keep the project from dragging on—and incurring extra costs.
Staying under budget requires operating efficiently. To minimize costs and achieve the greatest return on your project spend, you’ll want the right skills in the right roles. And if you can include the soft skills, like communication and leadership, that boost all-around productivity, even better. But in order to assemble the puzzle in the right way, you need the clearest possible view of all your pieces.
A robust and fully-featured LMS can unearth detailed insights into your workforce’s skills and experience. Skill assessments provide a like-for-like comparison on specific topics, and progress metrics and activity histories reveal the learning employees have pursued in their time with your organization. You also have easy access to certifications and credentials, for your own reference or for inspection as needed. Build a team with exactly the right competencies for the job at hand, and your project will have far better odds of going according to plan.
Thus far, our focus has been on preventing disruptions to your project plan, or catching and correcting them early, before they create dramatic impacts. But sometimes, you need more than a small course correction. When your existing plan is no longer possible, you need the ability to pivot to a new direction. The more decisively you can shift direction, the fewer resources are wasted.
Agile organizations not only adapt to change but thrive on the opportunities it offers. To build agility, though, requires a dedicated investment in a culture of learning. This approach encourages employees to question, experiment, and expand their horizons—and the simplest way to provide the necessary resources is with a comprehensive LMS. When information is accessible, workers will take advantage of it to enrich both their performance in their current role and their own personal development. And with a wider range of skills under their belts, your workforce will be ready to embrace flexibility when the situation demands it.
Every leader sets goals for their organization, but it’s the ability to achieve them that truly sets you apart from the competition. Project success involves carefully considering every variable possible—and then planning for the ones you couldn’t consider, as well. The right framework to support this intricate process can make all the difference.
Pinnacle Series captures the priceless experience within your workforce and makes it an accessible asset that you can build upon. Our custom content management tools and enhanced search features let you find and share essential information seamlessly, while our deep content library offers all the skills your teams need to tackle your next big goal. Request a demonstration today and explore how Pinnacle Series supports your project success.
The latest posts on our blog, updated regularly with product tips, news, and industry advice on employee retention, reducing the skills gap, and more.
