You should know about project management tools if you run a small business. When you run a small business, there are a million different tasks to juggle. From managing employees to keeping track of inventory, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up. That’s where project management tools come in.
Project management tools help you to keep track of all the different moving parts of your business so that you can stay organized and on top of everything. In this blog post, we’ll give you a crash course in project management tools and how you can use them to streamline your small business.
What are Project Management Tools?
Project management tools are software programs that help you to plan, execute, and track different projects within your business. A wide variety of project management tools are available on the market, each with unique features and benefits. Some of the most popular project management tools include:
ClickUp: ClickUp is a popular cloud-based project management tool for businesses of all sizes and industries. It is easy to use and can be personalized to help your team manage projects of any size. With ClickUp, you can create tasks and assign them to specific team members. Tasks can be marked “To Do,” “In Progress,” or “Complete” to keep all members of the team apprised of what is being done and what needs to be done. ClickUp is a free project management tool with plans starting at $5.
To start with ClickUp:
- Create a free account using your email and then create new projects.
- Create a new project space and give it a name.
- Once you have a project space, click “add task” and start creating and assigning tasks.
Asana: Asana is a cloud-based project management tool that helps keep track of tasks, deadlines, and conversations related to your projects in one central place. Asana is perfect for small businesses because it offers a free trial and has plans starting at just $10 per month for up to 15 users. Asana is free for teams of up to 15 people. However, if you have a larger team, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
To get started with Asana, create a free account and then create a new project. To add tasks to your project, click on the + sign in the top right corner and select “Add task.” You can also add subtasks by clicking on the + sign next to an existing task. To add deadlines or assign tasks to specific team members, click on the pencil icon next to the task.
Trello: Trello is another popular cloud-based project management tool that offers an easy-to-use Kanban board interface. Trello is a Kanban-style project management tool that’s perfect for visual learners. With Trello, you can create cards for each task related to your project and drag and drop them as the project progresses. Trello lets you organize your projects into boards and track progress by moving tasks from left to right as they’re completed. Trello offers a free basic plan and paid business and enterprise plans. Trello offers a free plan for unlimited users, making it an affordable option for small businesses on a tight budget.
To get started with Trello, create a free account and then click “Create a new board.” Give your board a name, and then click “Create.” To add tasks or ideas to your board, click “Add card” and enter the details of your assignment or idea. You can also add comments, attachments, due dates, and more by clicking on the pencil icon in the bottom right corner of each card.
Basecamp: Basecamp is another popular project management tool perfect for small businesses. Basecamp is a web-based project management tool that offers features like to-do lists, scheduling, document storage, and real-time chat. Basecamp is perfect for small businesses that need to collaborate with team members in different locations because it makes it easy to stay connected and on the same page. With Basecamp, you can create projects, assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and track progress in one place. Basecamp offers a free 30-day trial, after which you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. Plans start at $99 per month for up to 20 users.
To start with Basecamp, create a free account and click on the “+” sign in the top right corner to create a new project. To add tasks or discuss ideas with your team, click on each project’s message board. Once you’ve made a task, you can assign it to specific team members and set deadlines by clicking on the pencil icon next to the task.
How Can I Use Project Management Tools for my Small Business?
You can use project management tools to streamline your small business operations in countless ways. Here are just a few ideas:
Creating To-Do Lists: One of the best ways to use project management tools is to create to-do lists for yourself and your employees. By entering all your tasks into one central location, you can rest assured that nothing will slip through the cracks. You can even assign tasks to specific employees and set due dates for added accountability. This way, everyone on your team will know precisely what they need to do and when they need to do it by.
Tracking Inventory: If you run a physical store or eCommerce website, chances are you have to keep track of inventory levels at all times. With project management tools like Asana or Trello, you can easily create cards for each product in your inventory and update the status as items are sold or restocked. This will help ensure that you never find yourself unexpectedly out of stock on a popular item—and losing sales as a result.
Managing Projects: Of course, one of the most obvious ways to use project management tools is to manage projects from start to finish more effectively. Having all your tasks, conversations, and deadlines in one place ensures that everyone on your team is always on the same page. And if any issues arise, you’ll be able to identify them quickly and get back on track.
What Are the Benefits?
Project management tools can give you a bird’s eye view of your entire operation. They can help you keep track of deadlines, milestones, and progress reports. They can also give you visibility into who is working on what and when things are due. This information can be extremely valuable when it comes time to decide where to allocate your resources.
Another benefit of project management tools is that they can help you save time. By keeping all your project information in one central location, you can avoid wasting time searching for lost files or tracking down project details from team members. And because project management tools often come with built-in templates, you can eliminate the need for tedious and time-consuming status reports.
Finally, project management tools can help improve communication among team members. By consolidating all communications into one platform, everyone will always know what’s going on and where things stand. This can help reduce misunderstandings and miscommunication, which can lead to costly mistakes.
Many project management tools are available, so it’s essential to find one that’s a good fit for your business. But any tool is better than no tool at all. These are just a few of the market’s most popular project management tools. Using these tools can boost your productivity by staying organized and keeping all your tasks in one place. Your business will be more organized, efficient, and effective as a result. Now is the time to start if you’re not already using project management tools to help run your business.