If you are looking for downloadable project management software for writers, where do you start? The best place is to consider exactly what you need and what you expect it to do for you to make your freelance writing business run better and more efficiently. Only then will you be able to evaluate the choices that are available on the market and find an option that will work best for you.
What Project Management Software Can Do for You
- Help you stay on track by defining a project schedule.
You’ll be able to see the projects you are working on and have a visual map of how their schedules interact. - Make managing tasks within your projects more efficient.
The software will allow you to assign deadlines to tasks and status reports, as required. - Give you the capability to share calendars and contacts with others working on the same project.
Scheduled meetings and activity dates will be updated across all project management calendars - Make time tracking and record keeping is a much easier process.
The software can track time for projects requiring this feature and keep records up to date until you need to prepare your account.
Best Downloadable Project Management Software for Writers
GanttProject
GanttProject was first introduced in 2003. It is free to use for any purpose, including commercial use. Use it to prioritize your tasks, add notes, and add your own custom fields. You can organize your tasks into a breakdown structure where ones that are not as important can be hidden for the moment.
This software package gives you the option of adding dependency constraints to your tasks, such as “start Project A when project B is completed.” You can also create baselines to compare your current project with previous ones.
Producteev
Packed with features, Producteev lets you gets your To Do list under control, assign tasks to team members and get updates to your projects. This software allows you to set dues dates within tasks, add subtasks, use checklists and filters to stay on track, and more. The best part is that the basic version is available at no cost.
Planscope
Start with a free 14-day trial and pay only $49.00 per month for the Studio package, which works for up to three team members and gives you basic reporting features. Planscope offers a money-back guarantee; if you are not satisfied, your last invoice will be refunded. This software allows you to manage your projects much easier by tracking time logged, progress, amounts billed, and the number of tasks remaining. You can send status reports to your clients quickly and easily.
Sprint.ly
If you want to keep an eye on how projects are progressing in real time, sprint.ly is the project management software for you. You will be able to tell at a glance from the dashboard which tasks are backlogged, which ones are current, and which ones are complete.
You’ll also be able to track which team members have too many tasks and who may be able to take on more work. Stacked bar graphs display the work that is most important.
Live training for you and your team is offered on a weekly basis. Pricing starts at $10.00 per month for three members. At this level you can manage up to five projects at once. Upgrading is easy and the next level which gives you unlimited project access is only $19.00 per month.
Collabtive
Collabtive is a web-based, open-source project management software program. It gives you access to unlimited projects, tasks, task lists. You can keep track of milestones and there is no limit to the number of members and user profiles you can add. The program allows messaging, time tracking and file management.
The program allows you to synchronize calendars via iCal task export. E-mail notifications can be sent. The search feature allows you to find what you are looking for quickly. Reports can be generated in PDF format when needed. This downloadable program is available in more than 35 languages.
When you are considering a downloadable project management software program, your best bet is to find one that is either available at no charge or that will let you try it free for a certain time before you have to start paying for it. In the latter instance, make sure you make note of when your free trial period expires so that you can cancel your subscription if you decide you don’t want to continue it before your credit card is charged.
Image Credits: istockphoto.com
Image Credit: istockphoto.com
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