There is no question that efficient project planning is one of the guiding principles of running a business. Whether you are working with a small startup or managing a well-established firm, it has become critical to have a dedicated tool in place for planning your projects. The advantages of having a powerful online project planning tool in place are enormous. For instance, it allows you to map out the entire life of a project in minutes, which in turn helps to minimize risks and maintain better project schedules.
If you're investing in a new tool – you need not only to learn how to use it but also which features to use. So, let's look at the top 4 features you need in your online project planning tool and how you can use them to plan projects like a pro. Built-in communication A project planning tool must be collaborative. It should offer built-in communication features like discussions and chats so that project managers can keep everyone in the loop when new projects are added. This feature is important because the more information you provide to your team, the better they'll perform. Clear communication empowers them with the ability to see what they need to do, how do they do it and what timeframe they have to get everything done, thereby keeping them on schedule. Gantt charts If you're a project manager then you would probably know what Gantt chart is and how it helps in planning projects. These charts provide a timeline view of all the upcoming tasks in a project along with their deadlines and dependencies. When a project manager can see the complete course of a project and all the tasks involved, they can plan and schedule things more efficiently. And that's why it’s important that you choose a project planning software with Gantt chart tool. Reports To successfully plan a project, you need to be aware of its shortcoming and potential issues. Using a project planning software with reporting tool provides a thorough overview and great insights into project budget, expenses, completed tasks and team members’ performance. This enables you to get a quick overview of how your project is progressing and how you can improve. File management The larger the project, the more files and documents you need to manage. For efficient project planning and management, you’re going to need a software that allows you to organize all files and documents in one place. Having all your data stored to a comprehensive tool means that you can share files and collaborate with your teams without any trouble. This not only helps to save time but also ensures that everyone gets quick access to the information they need and get their work done more efficiently. Since there are a vast number of choices available in the market today, it’s quite interesting to see which online project planning tool out there would satisfy the above criteria. And once you've got the right tool injected into your system, you're on your way to planning projects easily, no matter how complex they are. So, what are you still waiting for? Find the ideal project planning tool for your business and don't forget to share your experience in the comments below.
0 Comments
Time is money, particularly when it comes to running a business. But if you often find yourself struggling with deadlines or sitting beyond working hours to complete your tasks, it simply means that you are not utilizing your time the right way and you need to improve your time management skills. But first, it’s important that you gain clarity on the concept of time management.
Trello is an incredible app for project management. Based on kanban board methodology, Trello offers features that work for almost anyone who has a small team or a bunch of tasks to deliver. But do you think it would work the same for projects with too many subtasks and collaborators? Well, it won't. And that’s why you should consider the idea of using a paid or free trello alternative for project management. No doubt, Trello is a great planning tool, but it is certainly not ideal. The functionality of this tool is limited to task management and is too cumbersome for large projects and teams. So, just because it's popular with masses, does not always mean it's the best option for your business. Now, to help you find a project management system that is right for you and your team, we've put together a list of top 5 kanban based tools besides Trello. This list includes five feature-rich Trello alternatives that might work best for your business. Take a look at our list and see if you can find an alternative tool that is a better fit for your business than Trello. ProofHub - The one place for all your projects, teams and communications With ProofHub, you can
Wrike - Leading Work Management Solution to Streamline Workflow With Wrike, you can
Integrations:
Asana - The easiest way for teams to track their work and get results With Asana you can
Integrations
Workzone - Project management software that's powerful and easy to use With Workzone, you can
Integrations
Teamwork - The best way to run your business With Teamwork, you can
Integrations
There you go, these were the top 5 Trello alternatives that you can consider. We know that there are many other paid and free Trello alternatives available in the market. So, if you're using a Trello alternative that we have not mentioned in our list, let us know in the comments below. Gaining control over files and documents is crucial for any organization, and yet many are still getting it wrong. Looking at the vast amount of information that exists across organizations, it's imperative that they look for new and improved ways to manage critical documents. After all, there is nothing worse than projects getting delayed due to poor document management. No matter how large or small your organization may be, cluttered documents can bring your performance and productivity to a standstill. However, adopting an online file management system can help you achieve operational excellence by gaining control of your documentation. If you're someone who manages teams and projects, you've probably heard of online file management a million times before. Frankly, the concept of online file management is pretty simple – you use a reliable file management software that lets you store, organize, approve and share files in one easy-to-access place. But if you're still relying on outdated filing methods, here's what you need to know. Below listed are the 5 C's of online file management system that provides you and your team with a framework of ultimate document control. 1. Control With online file management software, project managers have peace of mind knowing that their control over document versions and access remains intact. It helps them to ensure that everyone on the team gets access to the document they need, whenever required. By being able to manage documentation at one central place, managers and teams carry out tasks quickly and reduce the chance of projects being delayed. 2. Convenience By having your old documentation system replaced by an online file sharing software, your organization is provided with a single point access to all important files and documents. This means you don't have to search for documents in filing cabinets or multiple databases. With online file management, you can store documents in folders and subfolders as per your specific requirement, ensuring get easy access to the correct and the most up-to-date document in critical situations. 3. Collaboration Collaboration and communication become effortless when you have the right online file management solution in place. It provides a space for real-time collaboration, file sharing, and proofing. It brings all your files and documents at one central place for meaningful collaboration, preventing you and your team from getting lost in the tangle of back and forth emails. 4. Compatibility Most online file management solutions let you manage and share files from anywhere, anytime as they are compatible with a range of devices. This means you can access the document you need, share it with the entire team, or get it approved by the client, no matter whether you're in the office or working remotely. 5. Credibility A major reason why many project managers hesitate while engaging a document management software is because they fear for the safety and confidentiality of their documents. It's true that not all software solutions are made equal, but there are popular products that can trust with your business. They keep your documents safe from both internal and external attacks with advanced administrative features. Like any other software, there are both paid and free file sharing software solutions available in the market. Yes, it's overwhelming! But you need to look for a solution that meets or exceeds the above five C's. And in case you're looking for a suggestion, try ProofHub. ProofHub is an easy online file management system that makes file sharing and collaboration a five-finger exercise. It enables you to be in control of your documents from anywhere, anytime, and on any device. Do you want to see how it works? Sign up and start your free trial now! No matter how organized you are at work, you're bound to forget things on your to-do list. Managing tasks across different projects and monitoring each one's progress is a tedious job. This is the kind of situation where having a project management tool often seems like a smart option. Speaking of project management software ... you must have heard of Basecamp. For years, Basecamp has remained an incredibly popular choice as the only project management software for many teams. But today, app stores are overflowing with apps that are far more powerful than Basecamp in terms of usability and functionality. So, here in this post, we are going to discuss Basecamp along with the exclusive Basecamp alternatives available on the market. |
Details
AuthorSharon Thomson is a project management expert and writer. Through the years she has written about a myriad of project management topics and has successfully managed countless projects on her own. A big believer in ‘work smarter, not harder’ philosophy; Sharon keeps including her own personal lessons in her writing from time to time. |