Friday, March 29, 2024

Helpful Apps for Project Managers

appsProject management has changed dramatically with the rise of new technology. Few things have changed it more than smartphone and tablet apps, though. While desktop software has certainly evolved, mobile devices offer a wealth of possibilities and capabilities to project managers and their teams. What are the most necessary apps, though?
With the proliferation of new apps, it can be tough to wade through your options. Below are some of the most important apps for a project manager to have and use. These are mostly systems suitable for consumers, but very useful for professional project managers and their teams.
Evernote
No list of mobile apps is complete without at least a mention of Evernote. It’s incredibly versatile, and it’s free (at least the base form is). You can jot down notes as you go, create specific notebooks that pertain to different subjects and even record voice and video or store audio files. All that data is hosted on the cloud and syncs with each device you own, including your desktop computer. With an upgraded account, you can even share those notes and files with team members. Evernote can serve as an excellent project collaboration tool.
Cloud File Storage
The reason there’s not a specific app name above is that there are tons of different cloud storage solutions out there, and they all work pretty well. Dropbox was once the de facto solution here, but that’s no longer the case. You’ll find that Google Drive might be a better option for you (especially if you use other Google tools), or perhaps you prefer Box or Microsoft’s SkyDrive. Any of these options will allow you to store files in the cloud and access them from remote locations and devices (and you can share access with other users). Look for a strong versioning tracking system if you are going to have multiple users updating documents and files.
Google Docs
Google has been making inroads in a lot of areas, but few are as notable as their online document and file storage tools. Google Docs offers virtually the same capabilities as you’ll find with Microsoft Office, without the premium price. Plus, they can be automatically tied into your Google Drive account if you want, and then shared with others. Google Docs can be accessed via pretty much any mobile device as well (although the native capabilities of Android devices do give them an edge here). Of note is the ability for real-time access to documents – work on project specs in real time with collaborators around the world (writing documents becomes almost like chatting!)
e-Task Project
This is an iPad only app, but it’s one that you should know about. The app offers a range of features designed for both solo management and team management needs, including the ability to collaborate with your team and sync/share information. It even includes a time tracking feature that can be invaluable for project managers on the go.
Mavenlink
This is an Android app that provides robust tools and support for project managers and their teams. It includes messaging, time tracking and even invoicing capabilities, but it can also integrate with other apps. One of those is Google Docs (do you get the feeling that Google’s about to replace Microsoft?).
With the apps above, you can stay organized, in touch and even collaborate seamlessly no matter where you might be in relation to your team. Project management gets simpler every day, right?  😉

PMP Certified
PMP Certified
This article has been written by a certified PMP.

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