I am having difficulty managing minor changes and small web development/web design tasks.
I a daily basis i will receive calls from multiple clients - asking for lots of small changes, or other work...
I am struggling keeping track of it. How do you guys keep track of every request? Is there any forms i can use? Is there any forms you get them to fill in? How do you keep track of everything?
The other issue is - communicating effectively what the client has requested - to the developer/designer if i am delegating the task.
What is your process? Do you use any specific forms? Do you have any set forms or questions you get the client to fill in each request?
There's a world of different tools available you can use to do this. To get your customers to post their request into and then provide a location in which to manage those requests. So the benefits would be to:
Streamline your workload
Make sure nothing gets missed
Speed up response
Here's some that might be worth a look:
http://www.huddle.net/
I believe you can create some of this in Google Apps too (if you're using that)
But your best starting point would be probably be to search on Google for "online project management tools" - lots of great options there.
Hope that helps
Chloe
Jad Hachem
Operation Manager at Kubik Graphic Design Studio
10 September 2010 22:50pm
Hi Anon,
Project Management is the answer.
However, your biggest challenge will not be the tool, but getting your developers/designers, follow the process in it.
Normally, they have a complete different mentality then the project manager.
We faced the same problem, and what we managed to do now is to make them fill the tasks, and respond to them and deal with through a 3rd party solution which works with your google partner mail (if you are using google mails).
Those type of project management web applications, are great since the project is managed in an interface similar to social media, like feeds, comments, sharing documents, links, brainstorming, and "forms".
And to answer your question, the best part in it, is that you can include the client in it, even from his own email. And he can start asking for the change from there, and everybody related to the project will be notified. It is a good solution. I can mention one 3rd party application, which is called "Manymoon", and no I don't get commissions from them :)
Digital Account Director at Sumo Group - digital agency, Perth, Australia
21 September 2010 21:17pm
We have been using http://www.activecollab.com/ fo rthe past 6 months afte rtrialing Basecamp we found this to work better for our needs. Have heard good reports on this too: http://www.huddle.com/
Download this template Change Log for use in your web projects. This spreadsheet will help you monitor the number of change requests incoming and manage the resources allocated to carrying out impact assessments according to the priority status of the change.
Fantastic resource for learning the best practices behind successful web projects. We surveyed over 600 web project managers to glean their best practice advice for managing web projects. Our guide packages their most valuable tips and tricks for staying on time, on budget and maintaining quality standards.
Director at Dynofusion Design Ltd
07 September 2010 10:00am
Hello all.
I am having difficulty managing minor changes and small web development/web design tasks.
I a daily basis i will receive calls from multiple clients - asking for lots of small changes, or other work...
I am struggling keeping track of it.
How do you guys keep track of every request?
Is there any forms i can use?
Is there any forms you get them to fill in?
How do you keep track of everything?
The other issue is - communicating effectively what the client has requested - to the developer/designer if i am delegating the task.
What is your process?
Do you use any specific forms?
Do you have any set forms or questions you get the client to fill in each request?
Thanks
Technical Project Manager (MBA, MBCS, CITP, CEng) at Naxtech.com
07 September 2010 14:21pm
Sounds like you need some sort of project management tool. We have developed our own one in-house but I know there are a few ones out there.
regards,
Denis
www.naxtech.com
Managing Director at indiumonline
07 September 2010 14:24pm
Hi Anon,
There's a world of different tools available you can use to do this. To get your customers to post their request into and then provide a location in which to manage those requests. So the benefits would be to:
Here's some that might be worth a look:
http://www.huddle.net/
I believe you can create some of this in Google Apps too (if you're using that)
But your best starting point would be probably be to search on Google for "online project management tools" - lots of great options there.
Hope that helps
Chloe
Operation Manager at Kubik Graphic Design Studio
10 September 2010 22:50pm
Hi Anon,
Project Management is the answer.
However, your biggest challenge will not be the tool, but getting your developers/designers, follow the process in it.
Normally, they have a complete different mentality then the project manager.
We faced the same problem, and what we managed to do now is to make them fill the tasks, and respond to them and deal with through a 3rd party solution which works with your google partner mail (if you are using google mails).
Those type of project management web applications, are great since the project is managed in an interface similar to social media, like feeds, comments, sharing documents, links, brainstorming, and "forms".
And to answer your question, the best part in it, is that you can include the client in it, even from his own email. And he can start asking for the change from there, and everybody related to the project will be notified. It is a good solution. I can mention one 3rd party application, which is called "Manymoon", and no I don't get commissions from them :)
I hope this will help.
Jad
Mobile Manager at LOVEFiLM
11 September 2010 19:20pm
I've been using Basecamp which is excellent. Can recommend. It's cloud-based so you can include your clients and/or suppliers.
CEO and Executive Chairman at PAY ON RESULTS SEO, PPC & CRO from Strategy Internet Marketing
14 September 2010 07:18am
Yes, we use Basecamp too, and swear by it. Great way of storing all the information in one place including client communication.
Digital Account Director at Sumo Group - digital agency, Perth, Australia
21 September 2010 21:17pm
We have been using http://www.activecollab.com/ fo rthe past 6 months afte rtrialing Basecamp we found this to work better for our needs. Have heard good reports on this too: http://www.huddle.com/