Item: Planning Center
Rating: 9
Author: Steve Crawford

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

As a church, we use Planning Center on a weekly basis. It helps our Worship Pastor coordinate with the entire Sunday service team about song selection and the timing of events within services, and it clarifies responsibilities of who is doing what during a worship service. Though it is predominately used by our Worship Team and Sound Crew, others use it as well (such as myself, the Youth Pastor). It is especially helpful in our annual Youth Conference, wherein we have several sessions and we need to clearly state who is doing what during these sessions.

Pros and Cons

Easy to use app
Helpfully displays order of services/events
Provides instant collaboration among several users

Could improve the "timing" tool (as in, adjusting the time when events start)
Could add personalization options (as in, the ability to upload a logo for an event)
Could add a "copy and paste" feature (maybe there is one, but I haven't seen it)

Most Important Features

Collaboration among many users
Ease of arranging events within an larger event
Ability to access the tool from one's phone or tablet (the app)

Return on Investment

Planning Center has helped us put on quality worship service every week
Planning Center has allowed us to put on an annual youth conference with excellence
Planning Center has promoted teamwork and collaboration among our volunteers

Alternatives Considered

Asana and Trello

At one point, I was presented with both Asana and Trello as helpful tools to facilitate teamwork and collaboration amongst a large group of people. However, when it comes to putting on productions/services/events, Planning Center just seemed to have everything we need. I have never really once given thought to moving on from Planning Center. I'm sure Asana and Trello have much to offer, and I did briefly consider the, but Planning Center (for what we needed) was a grand-slam, home run.

Key Insights

Do you think Planning Center delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Planning Center's feature set?

Yes

Did Planning Center live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Planning Center go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Planning Center again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Church Community Builder, Pushpay, Todoist: To-Do List & Task Manager, Wix

Likelihood to Recommend

Planning Center is incredibly helpful if you are in the business of putting on events, performances, or productions. In such situations, Planning Center will help you coordinate with a large group of people, clearly showing who is expected to do what during the order of a service. If you are planning a major event (a wedding service, a major birthday party, a work event, or any kind of production), Planning Center will foster both teamwork and clarity. The only scenario I can envision Planning Center not being helpful would be a more laissez-faire type of event, (like a "come and go" reception).

Planning Center - Great for Coordinating Church Services!

Overall Satisfaction with Planning Center