There is a growing number of strategic management tools, each offering a range of features and benefits. How can you determine which one is the best fit for you? Here are five key factors to consider.

Ease of Use

A strategic management software should be intuitive and user-friendly. A clear and well-designed user interface not only facilitates the quick onboarding of the software by users but also the long-term adoption of the tool across the organization. Never underestimate the learning curve of a new tool or the training time required for your teams. In the realm of strategic execution, this is even more critical as it will impact various sectors of your organization. According to a Nucleus Research study, every dollar invested in user experience can yield up to 100 dollars in return.

Flexibility and Customization

The software’s ability to adapt to the specific needs of your organization is crucial. Every company has its own culture, structure, processes, and unique objectives. An effective strategic management software must allow for adequate customization to align with the organization’s specifics and the plans to be implemented. Always choose a tool that can adapt to the structure of your organization rather than one that requires your organization to adapt to it. Also, remember that your plan will continuously evolve; the tool you select should be able to adapt to these changes within minutes!

Integration with Other Tools

According to a SaaS Trends survey, 86% of companies use a combination of solutions to cover all of their business processes. Therefore, the strategic management software you select must seamlessly integrate into your business ecosystem. The strategic management aspect will be based on KPIs, indicators, and high-value information. However, it might be necessary to couple these with information from your operational systems. This flexibility is key for long-term effective usage.

Analytical Features

Strategic management relies on informed decision-making. This means your software should offer robust analytical capabilities. Your strategic management solution must integrate dashboards that address both operational and strategic needs. Also, opt for a tool that can easily connect to your business visualization solutions to create reports tailored exactly to your needs. According to Gartner, by 2023, organizations using advanced analytical tools will boost their operational efficiency by 30%.

Support and Training

Lastly, the quality of customer support and available training resources can make a significant difference. Strategic execution monitoring begins with implementation and often continues over several years. It’s vital to trust a partner that will assist you in implementation, provide ongoing support, and ensure your teams’ independence. A Zendesk study found that 52% of B2B customers stopped purchasing due to poor customer service.

By taking these five key factors into account, you can select a strategic management software that meets your current needs, will be embraced by all stakeholders within the organization, and also prepares you for future evolutions.