Project management software providers attempting to pry law firms away from Microsoft Excel might be in for a fight. Excel’s broad availability and familiarity among lawyers and staffers will make it a constant presence in law firms’ project management, law firms and consultants said. Still, the days of a purely Excel approach to managing matters may be numbered as clients demand more insights.

As firms hold onto their Excel software for project management, there’s an ongoing push for law firms to improve how they monitor a matter’s development and budget, noted Baretz+Brunelle NewLaw practice partner and co-head Beatrice Seravello.