Organisations need to continuously evolve and adapt to stay ahead of their competitors. Change is a necessity when it comes to adding meaningful value to a business and that change is brought about through projects. You’ve probably been looking for project portfolio management software to help manage that change effectively.

Whether you're a seasoned project manager or a newcomer to the world of PPM, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of ServiceNow and Fluid is crucial in finding your perfect fit. Let’s get right to it and compare ServiceNow project portfolio management vs Fluid PPM.

At a glance: ServiceNow project portfolio management vs Fluid

Key features: ServiceNow vs Fluid

ServiceNow project portfolio management and Fluid each provide great features for successful PPM. There are some key features for PPM software that are vital for managing project portfolios, so let’s take a look at those offered by ServiceNow and Fluid. 

ServiceNow Project Portfolio Management (PPM):

1. Portfolio management: ServiceNow PPM provides overall portfolio management. It allows you to define and manage project portfolios aligned with your business goals and strategies.
2. Resource management: ServiceNow offers robust resource management tools. You can allocate and track resources across various projects and balance workloads effectively.
3. Financial management: It provides financial planning and tracking capabilities, enabling you to manage project budgets and expenses.
4. Demand management: ServiceNow supports demand management by allowing you to capture, evaluate, and prioritise project requests efficiently.
5. Integration with ITSM: For organisations with IT service management (ITSM) needs, ServiceNow PPM integrates seamlessly with other ServiceNow modules, providing a complete IT service and project management solution.
6. Advanced reporting and analytics: It offers advanced reporting tools, helping you generate detailed reports and analytics for better decision-making.

Fluid:

1. All-in-one project portfolio management: Fluid is an all-in-one project portfolio management solution. It covers project planning, task management, team collaboration, and reporting. The extensive features make it ideal to view an overview of entire project portfolios aligned with business strategies, as well as drill into the details.
2. Visual Gantt charts: Fluid is known for its visual Gantt charts, which provide a clear timeline view of tasks, dependencies, and project progress.
3. Resource management: Fluid offers resource management features to allocate and track resources effectively across projects.
4. Customisable workflows: Fluid allows you to tailor workflows to your project's unique requirements, ensuring flexibility in managing various types of projects.
5. User-friendly interface: Fluid is renowned for its user-friendly interface and straightforward navigation. It's accessible for users at various skill levels.
6. Dedicated support: Fluid provides dedicated customer support and a comprehensive knowledge base, along with live chat support during business hours.

The choice between ServiceNow PPM and Fluid PPM depends on your organisation's specific requirements, size, and budget.

Integrations: ServiceNow project portfolio management vs Fluid

Integrations play a pivotal role in the realm of project and portfolio management (PPM) software. They are the bridge that connects your PPM tool with other critical business systems, allowing for streamlined workflows, improved data sharing, and enhanced efficiency.

ServiceNow integrations:

ServiceNow PPM offers an extensive range of integrations designed to bolster your PPM capabilities. Some key integrations include: 

1. ServiceNow ITSM integration: ServiceNow PPM seamlessly integrates with its IT Service Management (ITSM) suite, creating a holistic approach to project and service management. This integration allows for end-to-end visibility into IT projects and services. 

2. Jira: ServiceNow's JIRA integration streamlines the collaboration between project managers and development teams. It enables bi-directional communication, ensuring that development work is closely aligned with project goals.

3. Microsoft Project: For those who prefer Microsoft Project, ServiceNow PPM can integrate with this widely used project management tool. This is particularly beneficial for organisations accustomed to Microsoft Project's features.

4. Financial management systems: ServiceNow PPM can integrate with various financial management systems, providing real-time financial data for better budget tracking and cost management.

Fluid integrations:

Fluid also offers a selection of integrations to enhance your project and portfolio management experience: 

1. Jira: Similar to ServiceNow, Fluid offers integration with Jira, ensuring a smooth flow of information between project managers and development teams.

2. Azure DevOps: Fluid integrates with DevOps tools, further streamlining the development process and fostering better collaboration between development and project management teams.

3. MS Project Server: For organisations using Microsoft Project Server, Fluid provides integration, allowing project managers to upload and access project data from the MS Project environment.

Customer support: ServiceNow vs Fluid

Customer support is a cornerstone of any software solution, especially when it comes to complex platforms like project portfolio management software. Its importance cannot be overstated! It's the safety net when things don't go as planned, the guiding hand when you're navigating detailed features, and the reassurance that you're not alone on your software journey.

ServiceNow:

ServiceNow offers robust customer support for its PPM platform, tailored to the needs of businesses seeking reliable assistance:

1. Online community: The ServiceNow Community is a valuable resource for users. It's a hub for discussions, sharing insights, and seeking help from other users and ServiceNow experts. 

2. Knowledge base: ServiceNow maintains an extensive knowledge base filled with articles, tutorials, and documentation. It's a self-help treasure trove for users looking to troubleshoot issues or learn more about the platform.

3. Customer support portal: The Customer Support Portal allows users to log cases, track issues, and communicate directly with ServiceNow's support team. This portal streamlines the support process.

4. Email and phone support: There is email and phone support available, regardless of your time zone. However, this level of support is dependent on the package you opt in for.

Fluid:

Fluid's customer support aims to provide efficient and personalised assistance to users:

1. Dedicated support: Fluid offers direct contact with its support team through various channels, including email. This one-on-one support ensures your queries and issues are addressed promptly. 

2. Knowledge base: Fluid maintains a comprehensive knowledge base with articles, tutorials, and documentation. This self-help resource covers various aspects of project management.

3. Live chat: During business hours, Fluid offers live chat support. This real-time assistance helps users get immediate answers to their questions or address any issues.

4. Custom training: These sessions assist users and their teams in optimising the utilisation of the software.

Ease of use: ServiceNow project portfolio management vs Fluid

The ease of use in PPM software is paramount. After all, the purpose of these tools is to simplify complex processes, enhance productivity, and streamline project management. A user-friendly interface makes all the difference in successfully implementing PPM software within an organisation.

ServiceNow

ServiceNow offers an intuitive interface, ensuring users of varying technical backgrounds can navigate the platform seamlessly. One of its most user-friendly aspects is the inclusion of drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for users to rearrange and customise project elements within their portfolios. ServiceNow does well with its customisation, giving users the chance to tailor their dashboards and views according to their unique project requirements.

G2 Ease of Use Score: 7.7

Fluid

Fluid boasts a clean and simplified interface that swiftly connects users to their projects and relevant data, substantially reducing the learning curve. The ease of navigation is a highlight, enabling users to effortlessly locate and access project-related information. The design revolves around minimalism, offering a straightforward and uncluttered interface that appeals to users seeking a streamlined experience. To facilitate seamless onboarding and proficiency with the platform, Fluid provides an array of training and onboarding resources, ensuring users can efficiently harness its capabilities.

G2 Ease of Use Score: 9.5

Alternatives to ServiceNow and Fluid

Understanding your options is important to ensure you find the perfect software for your organisation. Here’s some other providers that you may want to demo too 

1. Wrike:

Wrike is a versatile project management platform that provides robust features for planning, collaboration, and task management. It offers tools for Gantt charts, resource management, and real-time collaboration.

2. Microsoft Project:

Microsoft Project is a well-established project management software with both cloud-based and desktop versions.

3. Asana:

Asana is a popular project and task management platform designed for teams. It enables users to create projects, assign tasks, set priorities, and track progress.

Each of these alternatives has its own strengths and features, so the choice would depend on the specific needs and preferences of your organisation.

3 key considerations for choosing project management software

Choosing the right PPM)software is a crucial decision for any business. We’ve gone into a lot of detail about ServiceNow project portfolio management and Fluid’s offering, as well as the other options available. To end on a simpler note, here are five key questions that every business should consider when making this choice:

1. What are our business objectives and needs?

• Understand your business's strategic goals and how PPM software can support them. Define your unique needs, whether it's optimising resource allocation, managing complex projects, or ensuring compliance. 

2. How user-friendly is the software?

• Ensure the software is intuitive and user-friendly. It should streamline your project management processes rather than complicate them. Test the interface and assess how well your team can adapt to it.

3. Does it align with your workflow?

• The PPM software should align with your existing workflow. Consider how easily it integrates into your current systems and whether it can accommodate your unique processes.

4. What reporting and analytics capabilities does it offer?

• Robust reporting and analytics are essential for tracking project and portfolio performance. Evaluate the software's reporting features, including customisability, real-time data, and visualisation capabilities.

5. What is the total cost of ownership (TCO)?

• Consider both the initial cost and the long-term cost of implementing and maintaining the software. Calculate licensing, implementation, training, and ongoing support costs to understand the total investment.

By addressing these questions, businesses can make informed decisions when selecting PPM software that best suits their needs and sets them on a path for more effective project portfolio management.