Project management
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outlier
Jul 13, 2009, 5:57:44 AM7/13/09
to The Efficient Academic
This group has often spoken about time management and todo lists, but
I've recently started wondering if there's a useful tool that does
something more than this. Everyone likely has many "projects",
multistage aims with parallel running streams of actions, things you
are waiting on others to do, with associated documentation and files.
I'm looking at my todo list (I use Things on MacOSX) and wondering
at the paucity of the tool for handling projects.
What I envisage is a project tool that handles todo's, schedules,
files and folders, so all the information for a project can be kept in
one place. (The workspace / project areas of Eclipse and Netbeans are
approaching this sort of model.) I use Evernote for some of these
things, but it's really more of a "big bag of stuff" tool, than a mile-
high view of progress.
Has anyone had any experience with tools like this?
--
Dr Paul-Michael Agapow, VieDigitale Ltd / Institute of Animal Health
(p...@viedigitale.com / paul-mich...@bbsrc.ac.uk)
I've recently started wondering if there's a useful tool that does
something more than this. Everyone likely has many "projects",
multistage aims with parallel running streams of actions, things you
are waiting on others to do, with associated documentation and files.
I'm looking at my todo list (I use Things on MacOSX) and wondering
at the paucity of the tool for handling projects.
What I envisage is a project tool that handles todo's, schedules,
files and folders, so all the information for a project can be kept in
one place. (The workspace / project areas of Eclipse and Netbeans are
approaching this sort of model.) I use Evernote for some of these
things, but it's really more of a "big bag of stuff" tool, than a mile-
high view of progress.
Has anyone had any experience with tools like this?
--
Dr Paul-Michael Agapow, VieDigitale Ltd / Institute of Animal Health
(p...@viedigitale.com / paul-mich...@bbsrc.ac.uk)
stephen zhu
Jul 13, 2009, 6:02:00 AM7/13/09
to The-Efficie...@googlegroups.com
I recommend XMind, a mind mapping software tool. It's multiple sheets, topic link and structures will be very helpful.
BTW, they release another totally free twitter-based online to-do tool, http://twitdone.com , easy-to-use too.
Sincerely!
Stephen
=========
Skype: stephen0928
Sincerely!
Stephen
=========
Skype: stephen0928
R
Jul 13, 2009, 9:13:10 AM7/13/09
to The Efficient Academic
I have the GTD ("Getting Things Done") plug-in for Outlook 2007
(Windows) [not free, see here: https://gtdsupport.netcentrics.com/buy/indexd.php],
and it's possible to do a lot of the things you mentioned with this
tool, but not all of them. You can define projects and sub-projects
and organize tasks accordingly--along with a very useful label for
*where* each task can be accomplished, e.g. "at home," "at a phone,"
"grocery store," "to print," etc. The plug-in automatically generates
task views according to project, sub-project, or where the task can be
done. You can delegate tasks to others also, and note deadlines for
when the task should be complete.
Tasks have deadlines and reminders as usual in Outlook, but it doesn't
have the capabilities of e.g. MS Project for time line project
planning. I would guess it's possible to integrate Outlook and
Project, though.
For files, you would need to organize folders on your computer.
There's no mind-mapping option here. The poor man's approach could be
to attach files on your harddrive to the Outlook tasks. If you really
want to use mind mapping, I think MindManager (not free) [http://
www.mindjet.com/products/mindmanager/default.aspx] integrates with the
Microsoft Office software suite.
Something to look into, but it would be most useful if you're using
the Getting Things Done system (http://www.davidco.com/index.php) in
your daily life.
> (p...@viedigitale.com / paul-michael.aga...@bbsrc.ac.uk)
(Windows) [not free, see here: https://gtdsupport.netcentrics.com/buy/indexd.php],
and it's possible to do a lot of the things you mentioned with this
tool, but not all of them. You can define projects and sub-projects
and organize tasks accordingly--along with a very useful label for
*where* each task can be accomplished, e.g. "at home," "at a phone,"
"grocery store," "to print," etc. The plug-in automatically generates
task views according to project, sub-project, or where the task can be
done. You can delegate tasks to others also, and note deadlines for
when the task should be complete.
Tasks have deadlines and reminders as usual in Outlook, but it doesn't
have the capabilities of e.g. MS Project for time line project
planning. I would guess it's possible to integrate Outlook and
Project, though.
For files, you would need to organize folders on your computer.
There's no mind-mapping option here. The poor man's approach could be
to attach files on your harddrive to the Outlook tasks. If you really
want to use mind mapping, I think MindManager (not free) [http://
www.mindjet.com/products/mindmanager/default.aspx] integrates with the
Microsoft Office software suite.
Something to look into, but it would be most useful if you're using
the Getting Things Done system (http://www.davidco.com/index.php) in
your daily life.
Tom Birkland
Jul 13, 2009, 1:08:21 PM7/13/09
to The-Efficie...@googlegroups.com
All,
I am really sorry that I don't have anything to contribute to this discussion, except to say that this is the exact description of what I have been looking at for years. I am jugglng a zillion projects, and some sort of project management *for academics* (not for building a mall or launching the space shuttle) would be really useful. I have tried to use MS Project and the like, but all the stuff on resource management isn't really appropriate to our needs.
Tom
John Randall
Jul 13, 2009, 9:56:15 AM7/13/09
to The-Efficie...@googlegroups.com
I'm a huge fan of OmniFocus for OSX. It's the best GTD tool I've come across, and I've tried them all.
Ru
Jul 13, 2009, 1:29:57 PM7/13/09
to The Efficient Academic
Have you looked at backpack/basecamp by 37signals.com ? Basecamp is a
web-based project management tool that, while not inexpensive, it
would work well on managing collaborative projects and being able to
see at a glance the status. For example, if you have grad students
working with you they can update their tasks and make it quick and
easy for you to see.
> (p...@viedigitale.com / paul-michael.aga...@bbsrc.ac.uk)
web-based project management tool that, while not inexpensive, it
would work well on managing collaborative projects and being able to
see at a glance the status. For example, if you have grad students
working with you they can update their tasks and make it quick and
easy for you to see.
Gabi Danon
Jul 13, 2009, 3:14:34 PM7/13/09
to The-Efficie...@googlegroups.com
Recently I discovered org-mode for emacs, and I really suggest that you
consider it seriously. It's not just a project management tool, it's an
incredibly smart and flexible system for dealing with almost any kind of
information that you might want to store in text files:
http://orgmode.org/
It takes a non-trivial effort to understand what this program is and
how to use it, especially if you're not an emacs user. I actually
started using it as a simple outliner, and only later realized what an
amazing thing this is. You can use it for taking notes, scheduling
tasks, writing papers, creating websites.... but you must be prepared
for a tough beginning, because org-mode (and emacs) is *very* different
from any other program I've ever seen.
Here's one detailed description of how it can be used as a planner:
http://www.newartisans.com/2007/08/using-org-mode-as-a-day-planner.html
Gabi
consider it seriously. It's not just a project management tool, it's an
incredibly smart and flexible system for dealing with almost any kind of
information that you might want to store in text files:
http://orgmode.org/
It takes a non-trivial effort to understand what this program is and
how to use it, especially if you're not an emacs user. I actually
started using it as a simple outliner, and only later realized what an
amazing thing this is. You can use it for taking notes, scheduling
tasks, writing papers, creating websites.... but you must be prepared
for a tough beginning, because org-mode (and emacs) is *very* different
from any other program I've ever seen.
Here's one detailed description of how it can be used as a planner:
http://www.newartisans.com/2007/08/using-org-mode-as-a-day-planner.html
Gabi
Bill Harris
Jul 13, 2009, 11:15:45 PM7/13/09
to The-Efficie...@googlegroups.com
Gabi Danon <gabi...@gmail.com> writes:
> It takes a non-trivial effort to understand what this program is and
> how to use it, especially if you're not an emacs user. I actually
> started using it as a simple outliner, and only later realized what an
> amazing thing this is. You can use it for taking notes, scheduling
> tasks, writing papers, creating websites.... but you must be prepared
> for a tough beginning, because org-mode (and emacs) is *very* different
> from any other program I've ever seen.
I've used Emacs since perhaps 1986, and it's consistently been the most
productive tool I've found for putting words into electrons. There is a
built-in tutorial that can get you started, if you want to use it.
The now free Lotus Agenda (and the add-on packages Presidents Planner,
etc.) is also a powerful tool in many ways, and the Planner apps can do
much of what you're thinking about.
That said, I've been using the HipsterPDA for about six months quite
happily.
Bill
--
Bill Harris http://facilitatedsystems.com/weblog/
Facilitated Systems Everett, WA 98208 USA
http://facilitatedsystems.com/ phone: +1 425 374-1845
outlier
Jul 14, 2009, 7:07:47 AM7/14/09
to The Efficient Academic
Wow - lots of replies. Thanks to everyone. I won't respond directly to
everyone but:
On Jul 13, 6:08 pm, Tom Birkland <tom.birkl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am jugglng a zillion projects, and some sort of
> project management *for academics* (not for building a mall or launching the
> space shuttle) would be really useful. I have tried to use MS Project and
> the like, but all the stuff on resource management isn't really appropriate
> to our needs.
Bang on. There doesn't seem to be a good "sweet spot": somewhere
between the simple to-do list and the fully blown, team coordinating,
Gantt chart monsters. I was particularly interested in something that
let me attach (or refer) to documents and files with particular items.
And hierarchical actions (i.e. those with multiple steps) are a must.
In mail, DevonThink and ConceptDraw were suggested to me. I'm actually
a ex-DevonThink user - I got deeply uncomfortable about the opacity of
their database (what about data corruption!) and moved to EverNote,
but it's organizational abilities are a bit lacking. Despite it's
title, ConceptDraw has mindmapping and project tools, so that's an
unexpected possibility.
Jumsoft has some interesting software. Operation is a planning tool,
but by my eye seemed to be fairly simple too high level. Process 3 is
a todo tool, but one that lets you refer to files and folders.
p-m
everyone but:
On Jul 13, 6:08 pm, Tom Birkland <tom.birkl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am jugglng a zillion projects, and some sort of
> project management *for academics* (not for building a mall or launching the
> space shuttle) would be really useful. I have tried to use MS Project and
> the like, but all the stuff on resource management isn't really appropriate
> to our needs.
between the simple to-do list and the fully blown, team coordinating,
Gantt chart monsters. I was particularly interested in something that
let me attach (or refer) to documents and files with particular items.
And hierarchical actions (i.e. those with multiple steps) are a must.
In mail, DevonThink and ConceptDraw were suggested to me. I'm actually
a ex-DevonThink user - I got deeply uncomfortable about the opacity of
their database (what about data corruption!) and moved to EverNote,
but it's organizational abilities are a bit lacking. Despite it's
title, ConceptDraw has mindmapping and project tools, so that's an
unexpected possibility.
Jumsoft has some interesting software. Operation is a planning tool,
but by my eye seemed to be fairly simple too high level. Process 3 is
a todo tool, but one that lets you refer to files and folders.
p-m
Frank Niessink
Jul 16, 2009, 4:26:51 PM7/16/09
to The-Efficie...@googlegroups.com
2009/7/14 outlier <aga...@gmail.com>:
>
> Bang on. There doesn't seem to be a good "sweet spot": somewhere
> between the simple to-do list and the fully blown, team coordinating,
> Gantt chart monsters. I was particularly interested in something that
> let me attach (or refer) to documents and files with particular items.
> And hierarchical actions (i.e. those with multiple steps) are a must.
>
> Bang on. There doesn't seem to be a good "sweet spot": somewhere
> between the simple to-do list and the fully blown, team coordinating,
> Gantt chart monsters. I was particularly interested in something that
> let me attach (or refer) to documents and files with particular items.
> And hierarchical actions (i.e. those with multiple steps) are a must.
Task Coach (http://www.taskcoach.org) is meant to hit that sweet spot.
Cheers, Frank
(Task Coach developer)
stephen zhu
Jul 16, 2009, 11:33:05 PM7/16/09
to The-Efficie...@googlegroups.com
you should take a try of XMind open source. It has many structures, floating topic, relationship, multiple sheets in one workbook(a file).
Sincerely!
Stephen
=========
Skype: stephen0928
Your attachment in XMind is topic too.
Sincerely!
Stephen
=========
Skype: stephen0928
Serge Stinckwich
Jul 24, 2009, 3:41:27 AM7/24/09
to The Efficient Academic
I'm also looking for tools dedicated to academics specific tasks.
I would like to use an agile management project tools like Pivotal
tracker :
http://www.pivotaltracker.com/
Any of you already use think of tools for research project ?
--
Serge Stinckwich
UMI UMMISCO 209 (IRD/UPMC), Hanoi, Vietnam
Smalltalkers do: [:it | All with: Class, (And love: it)]
http://doesnotunderstand.org/
> (p...@viedigitale.com / paul-michael.aga...@bbsrc.ac.uk)
I would like to use an agile management project tools like Pivotal
tracker :
http://www.pivotaltracker.com/
Any of you already use think of tools for research project ?
--
Serge Stinckwich
UMI UMMISCO 209 (IRD/UPMC), Hanoi, Vietnam
Smalltalkers do: [:it | All with: Class, (And love: it)]
http://doesnotunderstand.org/
rickdude
Aug 11, 2009, 7:50:29 AM8/11/09
to The Efficient Academic
Wow, Pivotal Tracker looks very cool. I think trying to twist the
focus away from software development would be pretty difficult,
though.
On Jul 24, 4:41 pm, Serge Stinckwich <serge.stinckw...@gmail.com>
wrote:
focus away from software development would be pretty difficult,
though.
On Jul 24, 4:41 pm, Serge Stinckwich <serge.stinckw...@gmail.com>
wrote:
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