When it comes time to manage a project for a small team, whether it's two or ten, what tool do you use? Smaller projects don't usually require a powerful tool like Microsoft Project. And Microsoft Excel can be effective, but mostly for project tracking. 10 Useful Excel Project Management Templates for Tracking. 10 Useful Excel Project Management Templates for Tracking. Here are the essential Microsoft Excel templates for you. Read more.
A tool that offers task management, due dates, reminders, and even team communication, all within a friendly interface, can be more efficient. These online project management tools are ideal for situations where simplicity is best, extra features are useful, and easy access is essential.
Best for: Visual project management, multiple paths and extensive features..
You've probably heard of Trello. And that's because it's a popular and full-featured online project management tool. Trello Guide to Life and Project Management Trello Guide to Life and Project Management Trello can help you get organized. It is a free tool to manage any type of project. Read this guide to understand its basic structure, navigation, and how Trello can help you. Read More
Trello uses the Kanban method, which is a visual way of managing projects. In a nutshell, it uses tables that contain lists and cards that represent all the pieces of the project. See our article on the Kanban Method How to Manage Tasks Using the Japanese Kanban Technique How to Manage Tasks Using the Japanese Kanban Technique Kanban is a Japanese recipe for getting things done. It is an organization technique originally developed for the Toyota production line. We show you how you can implement it for yourself or on your team. Read further to learn more.
Moving on to features, here's a list of the basics you can do with Trello:
Trello offers additional features that go beyond these basics. But again, the app is very easy to use and not too complicated.
Along with the web app, you can use Trello on your mobile device, with browser extensions, and on your desktop. This makes it a great cross-platform tool for you and your team. Trello is available for free, which makes it ideal for small projects and teams. Paid plans offer extended features.
Download: Trello for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Best for: An alternative to Trello, visual project management and cross-platform access.
Very similar to Trello, MeisterTask is a visual project management tool. You create lists on your whiteboard (called a project) that contain cards for tasks and other items.
With a fully customizable dashboard, you can use a background, colors, and icons to create a nice look that's helpful at a glance. The site provides easy navigation and intuitive options.
Along with this, here are some of the basic features of MeisterTask:
Also, like Trello, MeisterTask is available for mobile devices and as a desktop app. You can use the free plan for unlimited projects and members. But MeisterTask also offers paid plans for features like larger file sizes and multiple integration options.
Download: MeisterTask for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Best for: Workspace Customization, Team Communication Top 6 Free Online Meeting Tools To Collaborate With Your Team Top 6 Free Online Meeting Tools To Collaborate With Your Team Small teams don't need expensive business apps for collaboration. Here are six great tools you can use to manage your team's data, communication, and more. Free. Read more, and ease of use.
If you prefer a more textual project management method rather than a visual one, try Podio. This app uses workspaces for your team and projects. Within a workspace, you can create and view tasks, check your calendar, and view all project activity in a tiled format.
Podio includes an amazing App Market where you browse industry-related or functional apps and packages. For example, Project Management apps include those for meetings, deliverables, milestones, and time sheets. Once you add an app or a bundle of apps, you can configure them to fit your needs.
This is a really standout feature of Podio because it means you can customize it and its functions exactly how you want.
Here is a list of the basic features of Podio. Just remember that each app you add has its own set of features beyond these.
Along with the Podium website for easy access, you can check out the mobile apps to work on the go. Podio is available free of charge to five team members and five external members in their workspaces. For additional team members, you can check out the paid plans.
Download: Podium for Android and iOS
Best for: Flexible project views, multiple projects and folders, and extensive task management.
Another good online tool, similar to Podio, is Wrike. The cool thing about Wrike is that you can view your projects in visual or text-based views, whichever works best for you. Choose from a List, Dashboard or Table view or use all three depending on what you want to see. Wrike also provides a timeline view of your project and tasks that resembles a Gantt chart.
Take a look at these basic Wrike features to see if it's right for you:
Unlike the other online tools, Wrike is a paid app. But currently you can check it out for free with a 14-day trial. Plus, Android and iOS mobile apps are available for free to stay on top of things wherever you go. Wrike also offers a helpful resource center with articles, videos, and case studies for your industry.
Download: Write for Android and iOS
Best for: Project of any size, Kanban project lists and views, and team collaboration 7 Google Teamwork Tools for Online Collaboration 7 Google Teamwork Tools for Online Collaboration Google knows what makes a perfect team be better than anyone. And it offers tools to support teamwork. Let's see how these tools can help you collaborate. Read more.
If you prefer to stick with a free online tool, a great option is Freedcamp. This tool allows you to set up multiple projects and tasks, use discussion boards, and share files in a collaborative team environment. Plus, you can easily switch between list and Kanban views.
Freedcamp is impressive with the number of features it offers for free. So, here are some of the basics:
Freecamp offers a lot of useful features in its intuitive interface. In addition, the flexibility allows the management of most projects of any size. You and your team can access it from web, Android, or iOS devices.
The free plan really does cover just about anything your small team needs. However, if you need larger file sizes, storage service integration, or data backup, you can also take a look at affordable paid plans.
Download: Freedcamp for Android and iOS
These five online tools not only have the key features you need to manage your project, but they go a little beyond the basics in their own ways. For small project teams, simpler is generally better. And these great tools can help your project succeed.
Do you already use any of these online project management tools? Or do you and your team have a different one that you swear by? Let us know your thoughts below!
