There are many different tools to help teams in different locations collaborate on projects. You don’t even have to be in a different office to find value in project management tools such as time tracking, check list management, file management, and project milestone tracking. The problem is that when you combine all of this functionality into one place, you complicate the system by making it more difficult to use. It doesn’t matter how technically savvy you have become. If the thought of logging in to update your time sheet makes you cringe, then your system isn’t really doing much for you.
I have been using a program called active Collaborate. It has advanced features but seems to have all the buttons in the right place (we call that a nice user interface). I have recently set it up for several different clients who will be using it in completely different ways. I will let you know if they find it as user friendly as I do.
How It Works
It is installed on your web site server. I set up the database and customize the look and feel. Then you are in business.
Some of my clients are using it like do- for project management and to collaborate with clients on projects. This is how some of my clients discovered my clever tool.
Other clients are using it as a virtual studio. It will enable multiple organizations to collaboratively work on grant proposals without having to play email tag with documents. They will also be able to divide tasks and assign them. The system will work beautifully for accountability purposes in addition to staying organized.
