What does Collaboration software do?
Collaboration software comes in many forms, shapes and sizes, including cloud document platforms, communication tools, project management tools and brainstorming platforms. Whether you use just one or a collection of collaboration software, these tools and platforms will enable you and your employees to work digitally through a variety of tasks. In an age where working from home has become the norm, collaborative software mirrors in-office experiences while increasing efficiency and productivity at the same time.
-
Collaboration software enables teams to work together digitally, from small tasks to larger projects.
Is it right for you?
Collaboration software could be good
for you if you…
- Have a remote employee or workforce
- Need to work with other employees regularly
- Have multiple tasks or projects in progress at the same time
- Need to keep both task and overall project deadlines
- Want to reduce the amount of communication done via email
- Are looking to increase communication between employees
- Want to replicate the in-office collaboration experience
- Are looking to monitor project development
Collaboration software might not be right
for you if you…
- Work in an industry where digital collaboration isn’t necessary
- Have a team that works on individual projects
Technology Benefits
- Replicates the in-office experience
- Although collaborative software does have a place in face-to-face settings, these different tools and platforms enable colleagues to come together in a way that reflects how they would have worked when in the office space. Not only does this maintain working relationships between colleagues, it also encourages the cross-exchange of ideas when it comes to project development.
- Keeps projects on track
- Some collaborative software tools are specifically designed to keep employees working towards a set deadline, which is useful for both in-house and remote teams. By mapping deadlines, setting alerts and regularly checking in on workloads, targets are more likely to be met, which improves motivation and, in turn, productivity.
- Increases communication between colleagues
- Through collaborative software, colleagues are able to keep in touch easily, allowing the smooth flow of information and ideas. Not only does this enable the sharing of skills and knowledge, it also reaffirms connectivity between teams that may be working remotely, all of which leads to great productivity.
- Boosts efficiency
- Some collaborative software, such as project management tools, is designed so that all updates, blockers and tasks relating to that project are kept in a single unified environment. This means that everyone working on the project has access to the information they need to work effectively on the project, without having to seek resources away from the tool. With less time spent seeking out information, colleagues are able to work through tasks more efficiently.
- Keeps everyone on the same page
- When working with multiple colleagues on a task or project, it can be easy for different colleagues to receive different information or updates, which can cause friction if a task is missed, or an action is carried out incorrectly. By adopting a project management tool, everyone involved in the project is included at each step, therefore reducing miscommunication and misinterpretation. This, in turn, boosts unity among colleagues, making individuals feel valued as part of the greater whole.
-
57 %
The percentage of office workers who spend an hour a day looking for missing documents, according to research by Microsoft