In today's fast-paced business world, the importance of efficient project management cannot be overstated.
Whether you're a solopreneur, a small business owner, or part of a larger organization, managing projects effectively can mean the difference between success and staying stagnant.
But project management isn't just about staying organized.
It's also about driving growth, reducing stress, and achieving your goals. Whether you're tackling recurring daily tasks or managing complex projects, the right tool can be your secret weapon.
My team and I have been quickly outgrowing “out of the box” project management tools, so I set out to create my own that could check *almost* all of our boxes. We needed something that was user-friendly, organized, and made sense with our business model.
Airtable allowed me to create exactly what I was looking for FOR FREE!
Here’s four steps you can take to create your own custom project management tool, too:
Map out what’s not working: First and foremost, you need to figure out why you want to build a custom solution. What’s not working with the out-of-the-box tools? Is it price, functionality, user experience…etc. Once you know exactly how you want your internal process to look, then you can start building.
Interview stakeholders: Project management isn’t just about you unless you're a solopreneur, then do whatever you want. You need to get the opinion of your team, your customers, and anyone else involved in the process of managing projects.
PRO TIP: Your customer’s opinion is the most important. If you’re a service-based business and your customer need to approve content, it should be about making their lives easier, not yours.Pick your tools and start building: There are a lot of tools out there, but you need to pick what works for you. Factor in pricing, ease of maintenance, and ease of growth/expansion. The tools you select here will grow with your organization if built right.
TESTING, TESTING, TESTING: The most important step, test what you build.
PRO TIP: Pick a customer who’s been with you for a while and ask if they will beta test your new system. Offer them something in return for their testing and opinions, and the value they provide will be gold.
If you’re a visual learner like me, join me LIVE at noon CT today in my Facebook group to work through these steps with me. A half hour of your time now will elevate your efficiency, collaboration, and success in the long run. See you soon!