Boost Productivity With Project Management Tools
These days, getting things done efficiently is all about using the right tech tools. Project management apps are a must for organizing tasks, delegating work, and hitting your deadlines.
What is Trello Used for?
Trello is a simple yet powerful tool for managing any type of project. You create digital boards to organize lists of cards that represent tasks. Assign cards to team members, add deadlines and attachments, comment and collaborate in real time. It’s free, intuitive, and helps you gain visibility into who’s doing what and when.
What is the Use of Asana?
Asana is another popular work management platform where you can plan, organize and track all your team’s work in one place. Create projects, set priorities and due dates, delegate subtasks and get notifications so you never miss an update or deadline again. Asana works for both personal and team productivity.
If you’re managing complex projects across departments or locations, Smartsheet may be a better option. It offers Gantt charts, dashboards, and automation to keep everything on schedule. While a bit pricier, Smartsheet is a robust solution for enterprise-level project management.
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Streamline Communication With Messaging Apps
Communication is key to productivity, and messaging apps are the way to go these days. Instead of endless email chains and phone tag, use an app like Slack, Teams, or Google Chat to connect with your colleagues in real-time.
Streamline Team Communication
With the right app, you can create private groups or channels for your immediate team, department, or entire company. Drop messages, share files, hop on quick video calls, and pin important info so everyone’s on the same page. No more wasting time trying to schedule meetings or waiting for email responses.
Using a messaging app helps build camaraderie with your coworkers too. You can share casual updates, interesting finds, or just banter and bond over your shared frustrations. Little things like congratulating someone’s promotion or wishing them a happy birthday go a long way.
Stay Organized and Focused
Messaging apps give you more control over notifications so you’re not constantly distracted. Mute non-urgent channels or set do not disturb hours so you can focus when needed. They also provide useful features like saved messages, reminders, and task lists within each channel to keep projects and discussions organized.
Automate Repetitive Tasks With Macros
One of the biggest time-savers is automating repetitive tasks on your Mac. Macros are pre-recorded actions that can automate almost anything you do frequently on your computer.
Use Keyboard Maestro
Keyboard Maestro is a powerful macro app for Mac that allows you to automate nearly any task. You can record macros to open apps, type phrases, click buttons, and more.
For example, say you have a daily reporting process that involves opening several web pages, filling out web forms, and emailing the results. You can record a macro to do all of that with a single keyboard shortcut. Just hit your shortcut key and Keyboard Maestro will reproduce the exact steps you recorded, automatically.
Some other ways to use Keyboard Maestro:
- Open a group of apps with one click.
- Type your email signature with a shortcut.
- Resize and arrange windows on your desktop with a macro.
- Automate software testing by recording and replaying steps.
- Create macros to post to social media on a schedule.
Keyboard Maestro starts at $36 for a personal license. For repetitive tasks you do each day, it can save you hours of time over the course of a week or month. The time savings easily justifies the cost.
Other Options
If you’re on a budget, you have free macro options as well. Both Automator (built into MacOS) and QuicKeys can record and replay simple macros. They may meet your basic needs, though they aren’t quite as full-featured as Keyboard Maestro.
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Optimize File Storage and Sharing
Below are some great tech tools that can help optimize your file storage and sharing.
1. Cloud storage services
Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are ideal for storing and syncing your files across devices. With a free account, you get a decent amount of storage space to upload files and access them anywhere. The files are stored on the company’s secure servers rather than taking up space on your own device.
2. File sharing
For sharing files with others, cloud storage services also make it simple. You can create shareable links or invite specific people to view, edit, or download files and folders. For an extra layer of security, enable passwords or expiration dates on shared links. Some services like Dropbox and OneDrive also allow you to create shared folders that automatically sync files added by any contributor.
3. Version history
Ever wish you could go back to an earlier version of a file? With cloud storage, you can. Most services save a version history so you can see past versions of a file, revert to an earlier draft, or restore files that were accidentally deleted. Some let you pick how long of a version history is maintained for your files.
4. Storage optimization
To avoid paying for more storage space than you need, be sure to regularly clean up your cloud storage and delete any unused files or folders. You can also use a storage optimization tool like CleanMyDrive, FolderSizes, or WizTree to analyze your storage usage and find large files that are taking up the most space. Then you can delete or archive them as needed.
Enhance Creativity With Brainstorming Software
Here are a few of the best tech tools for collaborative brainstorming:
1. MindMeister
MindMeister is an online mind mapping tool that lets you visualize ideas and make unexpected connections. You can add notes, attach files, and connect branches in an infinite number of ways. The free version allows you to create up to 3 mind maps, perfect for small teams. For larger projects, the paid version removes limits on the number of mind maps and collaborators.
2. Stormboard
Stormboard is a digital whiteboard for brainstorming and organizing your team’s ideas. You get an infinite canvas to add text, images, videos and more. Built-in features like voting, categories and comments help you evaluate and build on ideas. Stormboard has useful templates to get you started, whether you’re planning a new product, redesigning a website or developing a marketing campaign. Plans start at $7/month for individuals, with discounted team pricing available.
3. Google Jamboard
If you’re already using G Suite, Google’s Jamboard is a great free option for digital brainstorming. It gives you a shared whiteboard space where you can add text, images, shapes and sketch by hand using a stylus. You can then organize your ideas by moving, connecting and grouping items on the board. Jamboard works on the web as well as on Android and iOS devices, so you can collaborate no matter where you are.
Conclusion
Getting organized and staying on top of deadlines has never been easier thanks to tools like these. Find one that fits your needs and you’ll be accomplishing more in less time, leaving room for what really matters.
