There are collaborative platforms devoted to juggling multiple projects. Have a look at Basecamp or JIRA, for instance.
The problem is always to find a tool that’s right for the context you’re in. Nobody but you can know what’s right, and even if you think you’ve found the right formula, getting everybody to collaborate the way you expect isn’t a given.
Yep. I test-drove a lot of them and ended up usingTeamwork PM. It’s incredible.
There’s a free trial…give it a try. I couldn’t live without it, and I’m basically a one-man department. I would REALLY need it if I had people under me.
I, for one, welcome our new information overload.
Four reports (eventually) is good in that you don’t have to spend all your time on people management. I’ve had 15, which is way too many. Once you get things organized you might have time to do something useful!
The secret to managing this is to look for the similarities across projects rather than the differences. The product features might vary, but I bet they all have a similar lifecycle and the complaints come in in the same way for each.
If all your reports can do everything, then you can see who is least loaded and has the time for the four hour project. You’ve probably seen this, but the number one problem for new managers is wanting to do the work. If you had time on your hands then sure, go to the lab. But if you do that now you get four hours further behind, assuming the project is really four hours.
Just give them the template. And bounce back reports that don’t use it. It is time to be tough. But let them know why you are doing it - tell them that the time you save will be used in trying to get them something they need.
You’ll soon discover that much of the management stupidity you saw actually had a reason.
15 reports is different from 3. Don’t delegate management stuff, delegate technical stuff. Delegate that four hour project. Delegate getting a room for a meeting.
Two more things. I don’t use any of the tools mentioned here. When you evaluate them, pay attention to how they fit the style you are already developing. If the tool expects you to work in a different way the tool will sit there unused. If it matches how you work, it could be good.
Second, realize it is all about time. On a pad jot down how you spend your time for a week. Maybe take voice notes. Then, go over it and see what can be eliminated (like reformatting reports.) It is much easier to say yes to useless work than to say no. It adds up.
Learn from other people’s mistakes … live your life like it was a resume’ and don’t make mistakes.
Don’t make excuses was my motto … the boss has already heard most of them and he doesn’t want to hear them again and again.
I’m currently managing a construction project overseas. I can easily get a few hundred emails a day dealing with any of a vast number of items with the project.
I’d love advice on how to simply sort that many messages. At times it’s just overwhelming.
I use sub folders and sub folders and search as best I can, but I still sometimes can’t quickly find a message from even just a week ago.
Anyway, good thread!