Mastering Project Management

Are you tired of juggling a million tasks and drowning in a sea of post-it notes and forgotten deadlines?

Same.

That’s why I’ve been on a mission to find the ultimate project management tool – one that’s not only efficient, but also easy to use. Along the way, I’ve experimented with different software, each offering its own set of perks and pitfalls. But it wasn’t until I stumbled upon ClickUp that I felt like I hit the jackpot!

So, if you’re looking for some ideas and assistance with streamlined productivity, keep reading as I break down why ClickUp reigns supreme in the world of project management tools. Plus, stick around for a FREE template at the end of this blog post!

Exploring Project Management Tools

Finding the right project management tool can make all the difference. These tools are real game-changers, offering a one-stop solution for everything from task management and time tracking to team collaboration. 

Whether you’re a freelancer managing a personal to-do list or a large company needing comprehensive project oversight, there’s definitely a project management tool out there to fit your needs and budget.

Monday.com surveyed 1,000 US-based employees, aged 22-65 with full-time employment status about project management tools….

• 54% believe they would save 5+ hours by using tools that automate tasks.
• 24% find tedious data input to be their biggest time suck at work.
• 32% would choose to eliminate repetitive administrative tasks if they could improve one thing about work.
• Over 70% would love if automation were implemented for routine tasks like calendar invites and data entry.

It’s clear this type of software is super beneficial for your business. Here’s a breakdown of software I’ve tested over the years:

Pros: I love a good list! Asana has a great layout for organizing tasks and documents in a list view.

Cons: The software was not integrating to our help desk and that was a hindrance. Once our team started to grow, we spiraled with tasks, subtasks and so on. It was a vicious cycle of trying to find things.

Pros: Teamwork has a dedicated help desk. It offers a wide range of features, including task management, time tracking, project templates and reporting tools. The software is customizable and it integrates well with other popular tools like Slack and Google Drive.

Cons: It was extremely clunky and cluttered and was not user-friendly for me. I also experienced performance issues and the cost was a bit high.

Pros: We tested this for a hot minute. Trello’s visual Kanban board system is highly intuitive and easy to use, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.

Cons: Did not work for complex projects and tasks. No built-in time tracking system.

Pros: Basecamp is good for beginners. It has a user-friendly interface and built-in calendar with scheduling features. Basecamp also has message boards, group chats and direct messaging.

Cons: It’s limited as far as collaboration of tools. I found it lacks flexibility and has customization limitations. There’s also no time tracking feature.

Pros: A web developer recommended ClickUp to me, knowing it was the hot new thing in project management. Three years later and I am a power user! My life is in ClickUp! It helps me stay organized and in return I help other business owners and agency owners set up their own project management systems and processes within ClickUp.

WINNER: CLICKUP!

Why We Love ClickUp

ClickUp is a fantastic all-in-one platform that combines task management, time tracking, document collaboration, and goal tracking, so you don’t need multiple tools. 

It’s super customizable, allowing you to tailor views, workflows, and dashboards to fit your needs perfectly. With a wide range of features like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and custom fields, it suits various project management styles. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with apps like Slack and Google Drive. 

ClickUp is also very affordable, offering a free tier with lots of functionality and reasonably priced premium plans. And the best part? They frequently update the platform, adding new features and improvements based on user feedback.

Key Features of ClickUp

1. Task Management: Streamlining tasks, assigning responsibilities, and tracking progress.

2. Time Tracking: Efficiently monitoring time spent on tasks and projects.

3. Team Collaboration: Seamless communication and collaboration among team members.

4. Customization: Tailoring workflows and views to specific project needs.

5. Integration: Integrating with other essential tools and platforms.

Most-Used ClickUp Hacks

Dashboards

Dashboards are my JAM since I love to keep everything organized and easily accessible. Dashboards serve as a comprehensive table of contents, allowing me to pull in the exact information I want to see first.

With customizable widgets, I can manipulate the views of my projects and get a real-time pulse on where everything stands. 

For instance, I have a personal “Get Stuff Done” (GSD) dashboard that links directly to my monthly goals, yearly goals, and even my financial dashboard. It’s like having a central command center where I can track my progress, set priorities, and ensure I’m on track with all my objectives.

Voice Memos/Recordings

ClickUp’s voice memos and recordings feature is a game-changer for efficient communication and documentation. I love how I can quickly record a message directly within the platform. Whether I’m sharing quick updates, explaining complex tasks, or providing feedback, these recordings save time and ensure clarity. Plus, recordings are archived in case I need to circle back.

My Everything Tab

The “My Everything” tab is a fantastic feature that has really helped me stay organized. Under this tab, you can create a “ME MODE” view, which is a private, personalized view tailored just for you. It’s handy because it lets me see everything in one place, from overdue tasks to upcoming deadlines so I don’t miss any important due dates. With this custom view, I have a clear snapshot of what needs my attention, making it much easier to manage my workload and prioritize tasks effectively.

Comments View

This view consolidates all comments from various tasks and projects into a single place, making it easier to keep track of discussions, feedback, and updates. Using Comments View, you can quickly see all the comments that require your attention. This is particularly useful for knocking out responses or actions related to those comments. 

Color Coordination

We color-code EVERYTHING – from lists and folders to code tags, custom fields, and statuses. By assigning specific colors to different types of information, we can quickly identify and differentiate tasks at a glance. 

Automations

ClickUp’s automations streamline workflows and save time by handling repetitive tasks for you. These automations can be set up to trigger specific actions based on certain conditions, like moving a task to a different list when its status changes or sending notifications when a due date is approaching. 

Different Viewpoints

ClickUp offers versatile views to help you organize and manage your tasks effectively. 

• List View allows you to see all your tasks in a detailed, linear format, making it easy to track progress, set priorities, and update statuses.

• Folder View is a step up, where you can group related lists into folders. This is especially useful for managing larger projects with multiple sub-tasks and stages, providing a more organized structure. 

• Space View is even broader, encompassing multiple folders and lists under a single space, which is ideal for overseeing entire departments or large projects.
• Board View is where tasks are visualized as cards on a board, ensuring that everything needing quality assurance (QA) is visible and can be nudged along as required.

How ClickUp Enhances Leadership

Using ClickUp has significantly enhanced my #BossBabe skills in so many ways. 

• First off, the platform provides clear communication channels, making it easy for everyone to stay in the loop and avoid misunderstandings. I can delegate tasks transparently and monitor progress effortlessly, ensuring everyone knows what they’re responsible for and how they’re doing. This transparency has been a game-changer when it comes to accountability. 

• Plus, with ClickUp’s data-driven insights, I can make informed decisions quickly. For example, our team’s time tracking has been a revelation; I can ensure everyone meets their hours without micromanaging. 

• The Team Huddle Dashboard is another fantastic feature. It keeps our meetings efficient and focused, allowing us to convert comments, suggestions, and feedback into actionable tasks instantly. 

Free ClickUp Template

Interested in trying ClickUp for yourself? 

Download our FREE Team Time Off Request and Team Calendar Template!

Simply enter your email address in the form below.

Remember, ClickUp (like any project management software) is just a tool—it needs to work with your way of thinking. ClickUp is highly flexible and can be customized to fit your preferences. Its effectiveness depends on the processes and systems you have already established for your business. The more thoroughly you map out your workflows offline, the more powerful your project management tool will be. Bottom line.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out on your organizational journey, I’m here to help you discover what “clicks” for you! Let’s team up and take your productivity to new heights so you can bid farewell to the days of scattered tasks and missed deadlines.