Your All-In-One Web Based Project Management Tool

Connectivity is of utmost importance in today’s project management world. The more we can connect, not only with others, but within our personal office environment, the better. For example, having a web based project management tool that connects to email and allows file sharing is a much better option than one that doesn’t network with the rest of your computer.

Because businesses depend heavily on the use of email to communicate, a web based project management tool that sends alerts via email is almost a requirement. Instead of having to log into the tool and search for the latest updates, changes and other project information are sent directly to email and are brought to the users attention as soon as it occurs. When it comes to running a project smoothly, visibility is one of the  most important factors. The more everyone can operate on the same page, the better.

File upload abilities built-in to a project management tool is also extremely convenient. While files can be emailed, it is much better to keep associated files attached and connected to the rest of the project information. For example, with SantexQ, if you recently set up a task, you can attach a file or to that specific task on The Q and it won’t get lost among the myriad of emails we receive each day.

Project management tools are also great for sharing contact information or other reference materials. By posting online in one central space, all users can access it any time without having to search through their own computer or bothering another team member.

Lastly, project communication can be improved by using message boards. Built-in message boards are a useful way to communicate not only with your project team but with clients. Web based project management tools that include this function are convenient because project information and all the discussion that follows can be posted and automatically sent, by email, to all the desired parties. This type of communication is useful even for those who don’t necessarily need to participate in the discussion, as it helps with general project visibility.

With the undeniable power of the Internet and the rise of social media, it’s no surprise that connectivity is key. Being able to connect with people in the next office just as easily as someone on the other side of the world is something we are always looking to improve. Onward!

Most web based project management tools are designed to accommodate any type of project management, whether you are designing a website, developing a product or building a bridge. However, these different areas do have differences that require tools with different features.

Features such as PDF invoice creation and punch clock may be useful to some but not to others. One sign of a good web based project management tool is if can be adapted to fit your needs. Tools that have too many features can actual hinder organization and progress, not to mention they come with a big price tag. Ultimately, the purpose of using an online project management tool is to better organize your work flow and maximize communication efficiency. If the tool that you are using does not accomplish this, then perhaps you aren’t using the right tool for your business.

To find what features are the best fit for your particular company, think about what area you’d most like to improve. If you are looking to improve communication, choose a tool that has a message board and/or one that sends email reminders to its users when changes have been made. If keeping an accurate record of billable hours is your focus, choose a tool that excels in task tracking and, better yet, one that can turn recorded hours into an invoice.

Whatever type of projects you are handling, the right web based tool can make all the difference. What industry do you work in and what tool is the best fit for your company’s needs? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

Getting a printer to print is just one of the many office equipment hassles we have to deal with in the workplace. Thankfully, many offices these days actually operate mostly online, using email and file sharing to disseminate information rather than the ol’ “hard copy”. Using an online project management tool like SantexQ also saves you the hassle of printing documents and wasting paper. Because all the information is easily accessible by team members online, you don’t need to print things out in order for everyone to get a copy.

So be smart, go green and go online! And remember to ask yourself- hopefully before you delve into the treacherous realms of evil uncooperative printer land - do I really need to print this?

Source: blog.indezine.com

It’s mid-February already? How did this happen!? For many, by this time in the new year, New Year’s Resolutions have already lost most of their steam. Now (and often!) is a good time to review your goals for the new year, track progress and refresh your sense of ambition. New Year’s Resolutions are often hard to keep, but it wouldn’t be as sweet of a victory if you didn’t have to work hard to get there!

Just like successful project management, achieving your goals requires organization, realistic expectations and a positive attitude. Here are a few tips on how to keep your New Year’s Resolutions going all year long:

Be realistic. While being ambitious can be a good thing, setting the bar too high is a resolution killer. For example, instead of eliminating your favorite not-so-healthy food altogether, resolve to eat it less often. Have a realistic view of yourself and your abilities and go from there. If you strive for a goal that is truly attainable, it will be!

Make an announcement. Telling supportive friends and family members about your resolutions will make it official. Not only this, but friends and family can help you stay on track. You can even find someone you know who shares your New Year’s resolution and work to motivate each other.

Make a Plan. Instead of saying you’d like to lose a certain amount of weight by the end of the year, make smaller monthly goals. Decide how you will deal with those days when you just don’t want to go to the gym. Take one step at a time and think of ways to stay encouraged, such as having a set list of reminders of why you have this resolution in place.

Track your progress. Even small successes towards your goal should be accounted for. Make short term goals and keep track of them using an online project management tool, or even a diary. Staying on track and seeing your progress will keep you motivated.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Keeping up with resolutions is challenging, and there will be the occasional slip. Make an effort not to dwell on mistakes and don’t criticize yourself too much over them. Even if you do fall off the wagon, it’s never too late to start achieving your goals.

It takes commitment to turn a new year’s resolution into a habit. Keep with it, and eventually your resolutions will become positive life changes that are just another part of your wonderful personality!

It’s the last few days before Christmas and while we always strive to keep things calm and under control during the holidays, the final stretch can be quite stressful. Shopping, planning, cooking, traveling - it really adds up! The best way to stay organized during the holidays is the tried and true method of creating a to-do list. Take it a step further and plan our these last few days with a schedule.

Much like using the SantexQ online project management tool to create tasks and allot time for each, you can plan your holiday “projects” piece by piece. This way, you can factor in how much time you have along with how much time needs to be spent buying those last few things, wrapping presents, or packing for your trip. It can be as simple as writing out a little list at the beginning of your day.

Holiday planning has some qualities that are quite similar to project management forecasting. When making your list, write down realistic time goals and remember to expect a few bumps in the road and changes to the schedule.

Keeping track of what needs to be done along with how long each task should take will make it easier to handle all the little things that you want to do on a schedule that makes sense. Staying organized during the holidays will reduce stress so that when you’re finally done, you can truly enjoy the good food, friends and family! Have a happy holiday!

Being a project manager means taking the lead and communicating effectively with others to accomplish goals. By fully understanding your project, you will be able to better communicate with your team members and your clients. In short, make sure you know your stuff!

Simplicity is often a missing element when it comes to project management. Keep things simple and stay on track with an online project management tool!

Webinars. Short for Web-based seminar, a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. The concept may seem simple enough, but can they be used as a tool for project management?

We just attended a webinar on Social Media  yesterday brought to us by Hubspot.com. The session was very informative and even gave us an opportunity to ask questions and get live answers. Webinars are a great way to communicate, share useful information and interact with people from across the globe. Before, “seminars”  meant taking a business trip and typically paying a fee to attend. Now you can easily learn valuable information from experts for free, all through the miracle of the Internet. Not only this, but webinars can be recorded and replayed for anyone who missed them.

In the world of project management, webinars can be used in a few ways: you can let your team members know about an upcoming webinar so they can attend and ask questions, you can refer clients to a webinar so that they may learn more information about the service you provide (this is especially helpful with things like social media and SEO), or you can hold your OWN webinar to interact with and help train new or existing team members. It’s high time we start using the incredible power of the Internet to better communicate, inform and bring our project teams closer. In a sense, webinars are another form of online project management tools.

What are your thoughts? Has anyone had a particularly good experience with webinars? Has anyone held their own webinar for project management purposes? Share your thoughts and opinions here!

In this blog we discuss the importance of project managers and outline the positive characteristics that it takes to be an effective manager. One characteristic that you won’t find in any PM book/guide or in any online project management tool is having a good sense of humor, specifically not only being able to laugh, but being able to laugh at yourself. It’s a good thing to have a sense of humor about yourself.

A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: “Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?”

The man below says: “Yes, you’re in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field.”

You must be an engineer” says the balloonist.

“I am” replies the man. “How did you know.”

“Well,” says the balloonist, “everything you have told me is technically correct, but it’s no use to anyone.”

The man below says “you must be in management.”

“I am” replies the balloonist, “but how did you know?”

“Well,” says the man, “you don’t know where you are, or where you’re going, but you expect me to be able to help.  You’re in the same position you were before we met, but now it’s my fault.”

Online project management is the future of project management. If you’re not already there, you’re behind!

We all use computers and the Internet to conduct our day to day business, so the integration of an online project management tool makes sense. By using an Internet tool, you can incorporate everything and everyone easily and efficiently.  An online tool such as SantexQ makes it easy to view and manage important details - deadlines, project progress, client information and billing specs.

The connectivity is really the big go-factor for online project management. With SantexQ, project team members can keep track of, and edit, tasks and record progress. This type of organization is essential for better projects.

So does online project management work? Well, the truth is it largely depends on your management style, but online project management does work for the most part. It really is a lot simpler than it sounds, and can greatly increase organization in the work place.

For more information about SantexQ, visit our website at www.santexq.com