Project Management Tools for School and Work

Illustration of people using documents and computers

In an effort to continue working smarter, not harder, our team has been trying out some new task and project management tools. Being organized and communicating well is essential for success with team members in four time zones.
Apps and tools should create efficiencies not add to an on-going to do list. Before implementing a new tool in your classroom, office or home be sure to understand how it’s best used, why it’s important and how it will save you time. If a team will all be using the tool, be sure to set some best practices, structure and standards for use that you frequently update. Below is a quick scan of tools our team is currently using.

Wunderlist (@Wunderlist)

Cloud based task manager that works across all devices and allows lists to be shared individually or through a business team. Tasks can include comments, links, notes and be delegated easily.

  • Best Use: Task management, both team and individuals.
  • Cost: Freemium. Pro and Premium features starting at $4.99 per month.
  • Pro Tip: Use of #hashtags and folders keeps your task lists clean and easy to prioritize.

Slack (@SlackHQ)

Slack allows teams to organize and prioritize messages in one central program. Through message channels, direct messages and the ability to search and save conversations,  and documents you’ll probably see your inbox size reduce. Slack has been gaining international attention for it’s ability to simplify your workday and was recently recognized as the fastest rising startup. We’ve heard stories about teachers/professors setting up a Slack group for every class.

  • Best Use: Organized group messaging.
  • Cost: Freemium. Premium features starting at $6.97 per user per month.
  • Pro Tip: Use the /remind function to set quick reminders for responding to an email, letting a teammate know about your upcoming meeting or when to walk your dog!

Google Docs (@GoogleDocs)

Using Google Docs for project management allows for a rapid, iterative, adaptive process. The cloud based nature allows our team to work on docs from any device and collaborate in real time. Computer in the shop? No problem just log into your Google account for full access to all Google Docs. Sheets are used for budget and analytic reporting, docs for content curation and collaboration.

  • Best Use: Document creation and curation.
  • Cost: Free.
  • Pro Tip: Use consistent titles that allow for easy accessibility through the searching function.

Base (@getbase)

We use Base as a contact database and business development tracker. The ability to sync Base with email has allowed for real time entering of updated and new contact information. Tag and source information helps categorize a contact and makes searching easier. The deal feature allows our team to easily project management business developing from initial conversation through contracting.

  • Best Use: Contact database and business development.
  • Cost: Starts at $25 per user per month.
  • Pro Tip: Add comments including Google Doc links to any proposals, conversations or updates about a person so anyone on the team can easily see last contact.


Here are a few other project management tools that our team has used and appreciated the features of:

  • Basecamp.Provides a web based project, task and time management, team collaboration and reporting.
  • Daylite. Full service project management and contact database – but not cloud based yet!
  • Trello. Visual collaboration tool for project management.
  • Evernote. Organizes lists, notes and calendars in cloud based app.
  • iCloud shared reminders. Users can share reminders lists from Apple devices.  
  • Remember the Milk. To do app that works across all devices.

Lessons Learned. After a bit of trial and error here are a few tips our team has for picking and using a project management tool.

  • Fail fast. Know when a tool isn’t working for your team and either try a new method or pick a new one. There is too much important work to do than spend your time dealing with a program that doesn’t fit or suit your needs.
  • Be outcome focused. When selecting a tool be clear about the job you want it to do and not do. Sometimes agreeing that it doesn’t have to be a one stop shop can actually be more helpful.
  • Remember free isn’t always better. Don’t overlook a product because of its paid features. While there are lots of free versions, sometimes paying a little extra for a paid feature or service can have big rewards on efficiencies and project management.
  • Create a flexible structure. While developing best practices is important for team use of a tool, don’t over process or regulate its use. Allow team members to adapt the tool and its uses to best suit their projects and priorities.

Other tools you’d recommend or tips for ones we mentioned? Comment using the comment feature on the blog or tag @Getting_Smart in a Tweet using #PMTools.
For more blogs by Caroline, check out:


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Caroline Vander Ark

Caroline is President of Getting Smart.

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8 Comments

Aaron
2/18/2016

I've tried most of the tools in this list and they're all really good at what they do. However, most of them aren't built for education. Task and project management in the classroom brings with it several unique challenges. What teachers need is a task management tool that is built for the classroom. That tool is WhatsDue. It lets teachers easily send a task list to the students and parents in the class: http://whatsdueapp.com
Disclosure: I am the founder of WhatsDue

Replies

Caroline Vander Ark
2/18/2016

Thanks Aaron! Glad to hear about your product.

Vickie
2/18/2016

Explore Trello. My favorite go to.

David Adamson
2/26/2016

I use Semantic Sales to manage with email mess. It let me save up to 9 hours a week. Follow up reminder, missed e-mail reminder. Also it has an option — when I receive letter from new contact, they sending me his accounts in FB and Linkedin. https://semanticsales.com

Marc Guevin
4/1/2016

Hi Caroline,
My vote goes to Nutcache, it's a smart all-in-one project management app flexible enough to adapt to any business workflow. =)

Divya
6/28/2017

Hello Caroline,
Great post. I would like to recommend ProofHub for project management. With ProofHub you get plenty of options to plan everything in your projects and stay more productive at work.

Ashley Marron
10/11/2017

Hi Caroline, Enjoyed the post. Would like to suggest you take a look at Barvas which is finding a major role in Education with 2 East Kilbride High schools utilising with 6th form supported by the business behind the tool - MindGenius. Worth a look and if affiliate schemes are for you check out www.barvas.com/affiliates.

jack
4/10/2018

Great list Caroline, there is some real gems in here. I think Google Drive is underestimated. Also I'd recommend taking a look at these guys: https://www.ripplecrm.com they are relatively new to the market and are close to launching a beta testing sample. From what my colleague has shown me it looks really cool! I'm excited to try it.

Dan Decker
1/10/2020

Hi Caroline! You have put Wanderlist at the right spot, helping me a lot with my team.

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