I use collabtive. It's much smaller, open source, free, install on your own server. I like it because I'm not spending too much time on project management.

If you have the time, then yeah install a open-source system. I have used projectfork/joomla and it looks almost identical to basecamp.

What I am using myself, is merlin for macintosh - however this is a pro level PM system similar to MS Project on windows. Task managements systems tend to be like a ticket system.

I use a gantt chart that has project, sub-projects and tracks the time/cost on every system-subsystem-process-tasks; and all the resources attached to each.

When you have TONS of different processes going on, you need to be able to visualize this. In a true PM system you can create a project with all the details needed to work on one sub-system and its processes. You can then import all of those into a primary project.

I know that sounds vague or techy; but if you are getting up into very large amounts of projects/clients; you really might be looking to invest in something more robust or find someone who does use this kind of system. I know that MS Project is like $800, and Merlin is about half that or so. But it is not really the program and application that does the work, it is understanding project management itself. These tools like base-camp are just tools that compliment the idea.

The main book on using PM is the PMBOK or Project Management Body of Knowledge; which I think you could find floating around somewhere, or buy it for about $250. And its a sleeping pill level read. But if you get the ramifications of what it is spelling out; it is worth gold.

For instance, there are nine clear areas of knowledge you are looking to manage.


Project Integration Management
Project Scope Management
Project Time Management
Project Cost Management
Project Quality Management
Project Human Resource Management
Project Communications Management
Project Risk Management
Project Procurement Management

These all have to be paid attention to constantly and in concert with each other. And seriously this can mean nothing more than a little time to each with one person at a home office or huge departmental teams assigned to each area. So, even though these things are written for corporate cultures; it still exists at small levels whether you like it or not.

I only point that out, because at a small level anyone can just push their way through using a task manager and some constant email communications to get some jobs done; but when things really get rolling - managing these areas will save you a ton of headaches later down the road.

Thanks guys, not looking for anything to crazy. Just need to be more organized with my clients, billing and keeping appointments. It's either that or hire a cute brunette to be my personal assistant..haha

I use BaseCamp and Freshbooks.

Saves me hours each day.

What do you think of ZoHo Projects?

Depends on what you're looking for. Have you looked at either Asana (started by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz) and Trello (started by Joel Spolsky, founder of Stackoverflow)?

freecrm.com is good

I use a combination of Basecamp & Google Docs (for collaboration), Time Doctor (for time tracking) and Skype (for communication).

This combination works well for us.

I used Basecamp before. I found it got REALLY messy and disorganized. Too many discussion threads and all the uploads really crowded the page. There's a free basecamp-like software at freedcamp.com

Now I just use Google Docs / Calendar for everything. I love it.

I've been using google docs and basecamp. But I want something with more power. I'm so used to client-management software that I use in my law practice, but I can't find something similar for IM/Design/Online work.

If I had any coding brains, I'd build a site

What features would you want to see in a CRM/task management software that you're not getting right now?

i like freedcamp.com and asana.com

Thanks for sharing Asana. Looks like a great tool! I'll be playing with it tonight.

For an offline client have a look at karm.amved.com. I just released this open source project. Although still in Alpha stage, you can customize it by writing macros and extensions and mine task data the way you want it to.
I have plans to have cloud planning and sync capabilities in the future as an extension to it.

Trello is by far the best task management software around. It is free, fast, functional and visual. Watch their YouTube video. Also, you never have to download a thing.

Check out this. i think this is best for you.

I use basecamp and then figured that I spend more time on my phone than on my notebook so I use Astrid most of the time these days. Sounds strange but it works for me. I can have several lists for myself or for my team. I could also post pics of whatever is needed on a task and then add my team to it. It's not stressful to work on too because of the cartoon-like background. I like it. Google docs is alright for me too.

EasyProjects is another good alternative if you have a bit of leeway with your budget. It's entirely web-based and they have excellent online collaboration tools if your team is working in different locations. They're coming out with a mobile app in the next month or so too.

James,

We use Basecamp too - love 37signals solutions.

But for free or lower cost options, I looked at Podio and freedcamp. I'd love to spend more time playing with podio...to unearth its uses.

Thanks Maui Joe for sharing Asana. It appears to be just what I've been looking for. For anyone who wanted to see the product:

Asana: the modern way to work together - YouTube

use live help now or zazachat, they offer all you need for best call back ticketing support knowledge. chat also .
live translation with customers from both side, its free trial 30 days. try it

Thanks for all the useful links guys. Been looking to take my project management to the next level. So far I've only been keeping track on my own work and hours, but as things grow I'll be looking to bring in some help (i.e outsourcing tasks), thus the need to coordinate other people... Def. looking for something simple and free at the moment, but scalability is nice.

I'm trying to find a project management utility that allows me to create "templates", like for a specific marketing package (as I sell all of my services in package deals).

I don't need to create each new project from scratch and have each one be some custom solution. I'd like to be able to load up a "project template" that I've designed and that already contains all of the tasks that need to be done over a given time frame, and have the ability to have staff assigned to specific sections of any given project.

Does anyone know a utility that does this? I've already spoken with the folks over at BaseCamp and, while I'm sure it's a great service, it doesn't support this functionality.

Basically, I'm going for as hands-off as possible. If I have to remember to build out the entire project from scratch each time I take on a new client, and set new tasks to do day in and day out, it turns into a lot of time sucked up by that utility.

As a note for anyone looking for functionality similar to what I mentioned above, http://howtracker.com is a pretty solid solution. And, it's free.

Best,
Vince

Team Task Manager will work. Works well in a offline/online environment. Plus it's very intuitive and there is no learning curve. Free for 2 users -

Yes, I ended up with paid version of Zoho, liking it so far. Thanks for all the advice and input my friends. You all rock !!

I recommend teamworkpm.net and Google Docs.

These are the tools I'm using to keep track of all my clients' projects.

I use trello. It helps me to get traffic in online.

This one I've used and it works pretty well, you can add users as you go

and it's pretty intuitive.

5pm - Project management software, online collaboration and time tracking


Check it out!

In case you change your mind about Zoho - Teamlab is very good, absolutely free (with only one restriction - 1 GB of storage space) and have the special module for exporting Basecamp data (URL and API).

Why choosing software for offline, online software are free and it is easy to use.

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