A Strategic Approach to Growth
Many organizations rush to implement project management tools before understanding their real needs. But as project management consultant Ashley Shuler has discovered working across industries – from event planning to podcasting to traditional corporate environments – successful project management starts with process, not software.
Since the pandemic pushed operations into focus, many industries have had an awakening. "What we've seen over the past four years is that many people don't know they've already been working on projects and executing on them," Shuler explains. "Putting a framework around it is like an ‘aha’ moment."
This realization crosses industries. Whether it's healthcare professionals managing patient care or event planners coordinating complex productions, project management principles are already at work – even if they're not labeled as such.
Quick Win: List your team's recurring workflows. You're likely already doing project management, even if you don't call it that.
When organizations seek Shuler's guidance, they often start by asking about tools. But she takes a different approach. "Project management is often equated to X tool, and it's really about process," she notes. "It's establishing a process and understanding what it means to craft an actual project management framework for your business."
This means looking beyond features to understand how work actually flows through your organization. Even sophisticated tools can't fix broken processes.
Quick Win: Document your current workflow before evaluating new tools. Understanding how work happens helps identify what you really need.
Project management isn't just about task tracking – it's about business strategy. "There's that strategic alignment piece that we don't quite understand," Shuler shares. "That's what project management does, especially for business owners. It helps you know how you can organize your work."
This strategic lens helps organizations make better decisions about which projects to take on and how to structure their workflows.
Quick Win: Review your project portfolio against your business goals. Are your projects aligned with your strategy?
One common misconception Shuler encounters? The idea that one tool will serve forever. "People will say 'If I sign up for this tool, this is it for me.' Well, it just can't be," she emphasizes. "You will outgrow whatever it is in terms of transitioning to other tools, your business expands, all these different things."
Instead of seeking the perfect all-in-one solution, focus on understanding your core needs and how they might evolve.
Quick Win: Plan for tool evolution. Regular assessments of your toolset against your growing needs can prevent painful transitions later.
Success in project management doesn't start with software – it starts with understanding your processes, aligning them with strategy, and choosing tools that support your growth. As Shuler's experience shows, the right approach isn't about finding the perfect tool, but about building a foundation that can evolve with your organization.
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