Spreadsheets have been used for project management for decades, especially in the AVGC industry. Excel and Google Sheets are popular choices due to their accessibility and user-friendly interface. However, as AVGC projects have become more complex, the limitations of spreadsheets have become increasingly evident. Here, we will explore the hidden costs of using spreadsheets for AVGC project management and why Vani AVGC project management software is a better and more viable replacement.
More Usage of Human Resource: Project management in Excel and Google Sheets requires considerable manual work. The process of data entry, sorting, and calculation is time-consuming and can be prone to errors. The burden of data entry and analysis falls on production heads and their teams, which limits their ability to focus on critical tasks. Apart from this, as the project progresses, the amount of data increases exponentially, which means more time and resources are required to manage the spreadsheet.
No Real-Time Information: Excel and Google Sheets are static documents, which means that the data is not updated in real time. The data entered into the spreadsheet is only as accurate as the last time it was updated. Production managers cannot make informed decisions based on outdated information. This lag time can cause delays, missed deadlines, and lead to costly errors.
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Wrong Information Flow: When multiple people work on the same spreadsheet, it becomes challenging to track changes and updates. Changes in Excel and Google Sheets are not immediately visible to other team members. Version control becomes a significant issue, and it becomes challenging to manage data effectively. Production heads cannot ensure that their team is working with the most up-to-date information, leading to incorrect assumptions, miscommunication, and errors.
Difficulty in making Timely Decisions: As discussed earlier, the lag between data entry and analysis means production heads cannot make informed decisions at the right time. In the AVGC industry, delays can result in significant cost overruns, missed deadlines, and loss of reputation. Without real-time data and insight, production heads may make decisions based on assumptions or outdated information, leading to unfathomable errors.
Delayed Decision-Making Cost to the Project: The delay in decision-making due to lack of real-time information and outdated data can lead to significant costs to the project. This cost can be in the form of lost revenue, increased expenses, or missed deadlines. In the AVGC industry, these costs can add up quickly and have a long-term impact on the project.
Loss-Making Projects Not Flagged on Time: The inability to track data accurately in Excel and Google Sheets can lead to a loss-making project going unnoticed until it's too late. Inaccurate data entry or lack of real-time data can cause production heads to miss early warning signs of a loss-making project. This delay can lead to further cost overruns, missed deadlines, and a negative impact on the overall project.
Google Sheets Doesn't Show Trend: While Google Sheets is a popular project management choice, it has limitations. It lacks the advanced features required for effective project management in the AVGC industry. One significant drawback of Google Sheets is the inability to show trends over time. This feature is crucial for analyzing data and making informed decisions
Vani - a VFX, CGI & animation project management software is a comprehensive solution for managing AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) projects. It offers a better and more viable replacement for spreadsheets in AVGC project management for several reasons.
Centralized data: Unlike project management in Excel or Google Sheets, Vani AVGC project management software provides a centralized platform to creative teams of studios for all project-related data. This allows the team to access information easily and helps them make informed decisions in real time.
Asset library build over time: It allows the team to build an asset library over time. This feature is especially helpful for AVGC projects as they often require the creation of various digital assets, such as characters, environments, and props. By having an asset library, the team can easily reuse and modify existing assets, saving time and reducing errors.
Efficient planning: It offers various tools for efficient planning, such as Gantt charts, task dependencies, and critical path analysis. These features help the team to plan the project effectively and ensure that all tasks are completed on time and within budget.
Revision/version history on a single platform: Using Vani the team can track revisions and version history on a single platform. This eliminates the need for multiple spreadsheets or documents and helps the team to keep track of changes easily.
Instant approval: Vani allows instant approval of tasks and deliverables. This feature helps the team to speed up the project timeline and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
Inhouse tasks + Outsourcing tasks integration benefits in project completion: The team can integrate both in-house and outsourcing tasks into a single platform. This helps the team to manage resources effectively and ensure that all tasks are completed on time and within budget, thus benefiting project completion in the appropriate timeframe.
In conclusion, we can say that Vani AVGC project management software will skyrocket your productivity and reduce your unnecessary costs. It might seem like a heavy investment but it is well worth it! Try Vani today to experience it yourself.
