Teamwork, synergy, customer satisfaction: what CRM brings to project management
Customer relationship management (CRM) supports sales and marketing. This is how classic CRM definitions put it. However, this view falls short. Especially when it comes to highly individualized products, project management and sales can benefit equally - in the sense of a seamless customer journey. What other advantages does CRM with project management offer? Let the possibilities inspire you.
Table of contents
CRM as an interface between project management & sales
Based on a traditional separation of roles, sales and project management have few points of contact. In practice, friction often arises. On the one hand, there is sales, which focuses on customer satisfaction and sales. On the other hand, project management focuses on the project itself.
A lack of networking harbors several risks - CRM systems can solve them:
Project work is diverse and so many more individual examples could be found of how a CRM links project management and sales. Ultimately, the decisive feature is always the seamless communication between the two departments, from which they mutually benefit. And with them the entire company: A powerful CRM with project management boosts efficiency, harnesses synergies and increases productivity.
A look at the details: the role of CRM in project management
Where is CRM software integrated into project management? There is not just one connection between the two applications. In fact, the potential benefits of a CRM solution extend across all phases of project management, as the following overview shows.
Definition
Project definition takes place directly and digitally with the right CRM software in project management. For example, use GEDYS IntraWare to define who is responsible as project manager and which teams are involved. All further steps can be managed, viewed and evaluated via the initially created project
Implementation
The actual product is created during implementation. A CRM tool shows its full strength in project management, especially for offers that are strongly tailored to individual customer requirements. For example, you can track the progress of the project and easily generate reports. All information is also available in one place. With the previously defined authorizations, all team members can easily access the data they need for their work. In this way, the software ensures planning reliability, transparency and efficiency.
Keyword synergies: During the implementation phase, sales and project management benefit equally. This enables the sales team to gain important insights into the customer, for example to identify new sales opportunities or offer the customer an even better experience.
Completion
In terms of project completion, the experience gained is particularly important for customer relationship management. They contain valuable insights that can be used to handle projects even more easily and efficiently for the customer in the future. These experiences can be stored and managed centrally using the tool. This information in turn enriches the CRM in sales.
Does GEDYS IntraWare meet your requirements for a modern CRM tool with project management? Get your own insight into the effortless navigation, the optimized sales planning and the numerous functions for mobile working - our CRM tour is free for you.
More efficiency to combat skills shortages and resource scarcity
The previous sections have explained how CRM supports project management and sales. However, the benefits for the company are even more profound. Due to global political developments and the situation on the labor markets, many companies are now faced with a problematic shortage of resources. Here too, a CRM introduction for project management and sales offers relief.
Skills shortage & resource conservation thanks to CRM
The problem of a shortage of skilled workers is often reduced to a single solution: hiring new staff. However, this is precisely what is difficult to find. Another option is to make work more efficient and automate processes or avoid redundant activities. This frees up existing capacities in the company.
How does this work in practice? A CRM tool for project management already supports you with resource planning. For example, you can check which resources are currently working to capacity and where there is free capacity. You can also clearly assign tasks so that several teams are not working on a project section at the same time. At the same time, you have powerful digital support to use resources efficiently. Project-centered working with GEDYS IntraWare makes it possible, among other things, to send emails directly to those involved and to arrange appointments.
CRM with project management including resource planning:
What can CRM software with project management do?
Some of the functions of CRM project management have already been mentioned. Here is an overview of the key features.
- Resource planning
The tool allows you to see free capacities and identify efficient project paths. You can also plan for the long term, giving you greater certainty when deploying personnel. In this way, a CRM in project management also prevents delays. - Automation
In large projects in particular, there are often recurring tasks - even if the product is highly individualized. With appropriate automation functions, CRM software helps to greatly accelerate recurring work steps. - Milestones
Milestones have two important functions. Firstly, they help to structure the project. Secondly, milestones provide direct feedback on the progress of the project - and last but not least, they keep teams motivated. - Reports
Reports enable you and your project managers to maintain an overview of the work status at all times. The reports also help you to handle projects even more efficiently in future and to learn as a company. - Project files
The project file provides you and your teams with a central data repository where all customer and project information is bundled. Depending on the defined role, there are different authorizations so that everyone receives the information they need. - Teamwork
Straightforward group communication between project management, sales and marketing supports teamwork within the company. The possibilities range from project-centered e-mailing to planning meetings with just a few clicks. - Billing
Another useful function of CRM in project management is time recording. On the one hand, it shows how resource-intensive the project is. On the other hand, the tool enables uncomplicated invoicing directly from the dashboard.
Conclusion: Aproject management CRM offers a range of benefits
These start with aclear project overview andextend to work planning and invoicing. In addition, the software enables stronger networking between the different departments forsuccessful teamwork: deadlines are met, information is available transparently and collaboration can begin as early as the quotation preparation stage in order to define realistic expectations and schedules. In short: with CRM and project management software, you can benefit fromefficiency gains at every stage.
