What to Look for in a Project Management Program
As a business owner, you have a lot of things to keep moving. It is not unlike being the juggler at the circus. The juggler has the skills to keep those balls in the air. It’s unbelievable how they manage to keep everything going and make it look easy until they don’t. It takes just one ball to fall, and when that one ball gets out of the rhythm and hits the floor, it all starts to fall apart. It is the same for you as a business owner or project manager. You are juggling, but instead of balls, it’s everything from your projects, tasks, client assignments, and deadlines, to name just a few. So how do you keep everything running smoothly, and not drop a ball? Fortunately, you have the skills and there are a variety of project management tools to use as well. Today, I want to share some of those tools and tips that can keep you juggling, while keeping your business running, your clients happy, and make it look easy too!
Project Management and How it Benefits Your Team
Before we talk about the tools, let’s talk about the benefits to your team, and your business, when you have a project management program in place. I think it is safe to assume we all know the importance of communication in keeping our business running smoothly. You need to convey pertinent information to each person involved regarding their role, expectations, and deadlines. They may also need to have a bigger picture of the overall project. So how do you make sure everyone gets the information they need? Well, it’s not reasonable to think this can be done verbally (remember the childhood game, telephone?) or even in team meetings since many people work remotely. A project management program can give your team members all the necessary information for them to complete their assignments and you the status of the project by right within the program.
How to Choose a Project Management Program
There are many project management programs available to choose from. Some can be business-specific, for instance for Relators or Architects, but there are even more that are more general that can be used to any business. Each one will have different features and aesthetics, some you may like some you may not, but they all will help you manage your team’s time, projects, and assigned tasks. We use Teamwork. It is very versatile allowing us to set up a process that works for us. Here are a few other options you could use to manage your business. Here are a few project management programs large companies use to manage their business:
- Monday.com – offer several plans that can work within your budget after your free trial.
- Asana – offers several plans as well, including a free version. With customizable plans based on services and the number of team members.
- Trello – visual program, with many features and is very user-friendly.
These are just a few of the options available, you can search and find many more. Quite a few of them have a free trial, some are completely free, and others have varying costs. I would recommend you look around at the options and take advantage of the trials. You can try them and see what they have to offer, making sure it is the right fit for you and your team.
In Summary
In this overview, I hope you can see the benefits a project management program could make in your business. Whether you are a solopreneur or a company with several employees, having a single place for all of your project criteria, timelines, and assignments could be a game-changer. Your team has the tools to complete the tasks, and you have a clear picture of where you stand at any given moment. No more juggling those balls, hoping to keep things going. When you begin using one of these programs you will streamline your processes, improve collaborations, and increase efficiency. What are you waiting for? Do your research, find your plan, set it up to fit your needs, and start off 2021 with your plan in place!
If you would like to learn more about time management tips, check out my recent LinkedIn article, HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS WITH TIME MANAGEMENT.