1: What is social project management?

In a nutshell, social project management is basically project management processes, but on tools that incorporate social network software as the user management module. Essentially it is a hack with a buzzword attached. Anyone with a little common sense and a PMP certificate can easily master the changes that come with the incorporation of a social network in a standard business tool. Unfortunately common sense and PMP certificates are scarce separately or together, and thus this website was created.

I recently had the pleasure of talking to Dan Forman, the Director of Partners & Alliances for Rally. At the time I was trying to get him to buy a small startup that combines code repository hosting, team collaboration and social project management. His response was essentially that Rally already has code repository hosting, team collaboration and a social network… so why would they want to combine all three in one tool?

There are several basic advantages for using a tool with an incorporated social network:

1. Data security. Keeps all communication between team members under lock and key… no messy emails and unfortunate leaks onto “shadow” IT like mobile phones… outside accounts etc.
2. Onboarding acceleration. If you join a new team and all the files and systems are tied into the social network user management module, it is a lot faster for new team members to figure out what is what and who is who.
3. Improved communication. All the coffee breaks in the world will not build communication in a company. Seeing who you actually have to talk to to get work on a project? Much more effective.