The Easiest Online Aids for Managing Tasks and Teams

Microsoft Project used to be the program that many turned to to get real project work done.  I always found it overkill for the smallish projects I was a part of.  Loaded up with everything you might someday want to do, the program sent me screaming down the halls, convinced I could never manage a project. The times (and so few alternatives) practically forced accommodation.

Thank god that’s no longer the case. We can now choose what fits us.  Hallelujah!  The things that matter today are 1) ease of use — since we can feel overloaded within minutes of waking up, 2) a decent calendar and project list — to see what must be tackled each day and see schedules at a glance, 3) a way to send task emails, files and status updates to folks working on tasks we assign, and 4) a chance to have it all accessible through mobile.

So, here’s what I am finding as viable tools to manage my projects.  5pmweb has a very cool, very simple interface with all of the above ($12.00 a month when you enlist new clients to post their logo instead of your own or if you fall into nonprofit status). BaseCamp — especially if your projects are milestone and article-driven ($25/month) and Dooster, which is a free version with similar functionality, soon to sport mobile as well.

These selections, by no means, cover the universe of programs out there for project management, but the three named are the ones I believe a small business or creative professional can benefit from the most.  Oh, and one more thing.  If you have a business where sending scheduled reminders about upcoming tasks can really impress clients, a dedicated task tool (more simple than the project-based tools mentions above) such as Remember the Milk can work out very nicely. If reminders are sent to clients for a purpose that matches their own, they will feel personally-considered and remember this as a business service for a long time coming. This often translates into customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth. Priceless.