Strategies for Project Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

How do you use ProRM Project Management in Microsoft Dynamics CRM?

ProRM is project management software in Microsoft Dynamics CRM that offers a cost effective way to centralize project management.  Because it is integrated in CRM, executives, project managers and other stakeholders can compile reports on all projects using the CRM dashboards and built in reporting functions.  Larger more complex solutions such as Microsoft Project Server and Oracle’s Primavera can involve steep investments into the hundreds of thousands on to over a million dollars.  Small and Medium sized organizations may not be prepared for that investment amount so ProRM offers a cost effective alternative.

Strategy #1 – Small and Medium Sized Organizations

Use ProRM within Microsoft Dynamics CRM for centralized project management.  Create and manage projects using the ProRM Gantt Chart, select resources using the Skills Management Module, and track time in the Time Tracking Module in ProRM.  Set up an asynchronous (not real-time) connection to your accounting software.

Strategy #2 – Medium Sized Organizations with Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP Software (GP and AX also)

For medium sized organizations with ERP (accounting) software, Microsoft Project with ProRM is a possible strategy even though much of the same functionality exists in ProRM.  Because many project managers are familiar with Microsoft Project® it may be worthwhile to use the Microsoft Project importing and exporting functions in ProRM for centralized reporting and management of projects and resources while still using Microsoft Project for individual project work.

ProRM has a Skills Management module that allows for assigning company skills and personnel skills making the selection of the right person for the job is easier.

If you want to combine Microsoft CRM and ERP (accounting software) together as a complete organizational solution, an option for project accounting is using the Microsoft Dynamics Connector to merge Microsoft Dynamics NAV’s project accounting functionality with Microsoft Dynamics CRM and ProRM project management functionality.

Strategy #3 – Small Organizations.

For smaller organizations using Microsoft Dynamics CRM, ProRM may be enough as a stand alone system .  ProRM includes project creation, management, project invoicing capabilities and much more.