A project schedule in tools like MS Project or Vertabase is different than in project collaboration tools like Basecamp.
The main idea behind a schedule in project management software like Vertabase is to create a detailed workflow for a project. The schedule is the roadmap of the project and its successful completion. It creates visibility and gives people the tools to do their work.
For example, documents and discussions that people need to work on on the project can all be connected directly to project schedules or even to specific tasks.
Also, project budgets and time estimates can all be connected to the project schedule (though access to this information can be easily controlled). In fact, actual time can be posted directly to tasks on a schedule.
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Question: What are the benefits of project management software for a marketing company or for an ad agency to use project management software?
Answer: Managing workflow on marketing projects can lead to greater profitability for a marketing company or ad agency.
Now, this can be difficult when you have many resources working on a large volume of projects. But by having a clear picture of everyone’s work allocation and easily sharing and communicating tasks on projects you can start to get an accurate handle on the workload. Further, by mapping those tasks across a project schedule, then getting a total company view across all project schedules, you can get a complete picture of your current and future workflow. With this picture, you can make strategic decisions and plan accordingly to use your resources more effectively -and be more profitable.
Think Marketing in British Columbia, Canada implemented Vertabase project management software and was able to really improve the way people use their time.
“This software helps me understand how busy any individual is at any given time. Now, everyone on the team knows they are accountable for how they manage their time! In turn, improved productivity results in superior profitability. It’s that simple,” says Adam Less, Creative Director and Managing Partner.
Vertabase offers project management software that can improve productivity at marketing companies and ad agencies.
I’ll have the pleasure of speaking to the Mid-Michigan ColdFusion Users Group on January 8th at 7pm.
The topic will be software development and design -specifically addressing the importance of adoption and factors that can improve adoption. This will include a discussion on the use of AJAX, Flash in an interface and how to choose and design specific functionality.
Here are the directions to the user group meeting.
Please feel free to stop on by.
Amazon has a good example of the selective and sensible use of AJAX type controls in an interface. In various presentations on software design I often talk about using AJAX and Javascript wisely and sparingly. Too much and the rate of confusion and user error rises significantly.
On Amazon’s holiday-ready site they use Javascript pulldowns and mouseovers to show the user the different departments they can shop from. However when letting the user select different areas to search on, the site doesn’t automatically take the user anywhere. It lets the user manually select the specific area they want to go to, enter a search term, then click GO.
If a user knows exactly where they want to go its important to make sure they can get there unhindered. The interface shouldn’t try and guess what they want or, worse yet, mistakenly take the user somewhere they don’t want to be. A good interface should show the user all the options available to them, then let them get there quickly and directly (and help them avoid any wrong turns). Nice job Amazon.
Found a good use for the magnetic strip, credit card style room keys from hotels - use them as a shoehorn when going through airport security.
Its an eco-friendly re-use, doesn’t set-off metal detectors and helps keep the backs of shoes in shape.
Mind you, I’m not advocating taking them just for this purpose but I know how easy it is to forget to return them (and that there are plenty of people who do take the keys on purpose for fear of any personal information that’s stored on the magnetic strip.)
My recent presentation on software development and the importance of useability is available online.
Thank you to Charlie Arehart and the Online ColdFusion User Group for hosting and recording the event.
Thank you, as well, to everyone who participated in the question and answer period.
The Vertabase Timer is now available for download directly from the Adobe Exchange.
It is a great way to track time on projects or to track time on clients (or really anything).
This is an alpha build so please sign up for the updates or check the time track message board for known issues.
Also, development of the Vertabase time tracking tool will be driven by user feedback, particularly early adopters. So fire away.
Microsoft recently gave a peek at its roadmap for MS Project project management software at the Microsoft Office Project conference.
After reading about the proposed direction for MS Project does anybody have any reviews or thoughts?
I will be speaking this Thursday, October 26 at 6 pm ET at the online ColdFusion User Group run by Charlie Arehart. The topic is on building software that people will use.
http://coldfusion.meetup.com/17/boards/view/viewthread?thread=3722239
You can join in from anywhere - so feel free to stop on by.
A big thank you to the Cleveland Adobe User Group for hosting me last week. We had a good session on designing software and on using project management software.
Thank you to Mike Cooper for arranging the meeting and to Lodestone Digital for hosting it.
Congratulations to Brian Meloche on becoming an Adobe Community Expert (an ACE)! Brian has been active in the ColdFusion Community for years. Most recently he hosted some of the best sessions at MAX on ColdFusion. Congratulations on a well-deserved achievement.
