If you don’t like project management software like Trello and Asana, you probably just never used it properly. There are lots of different project management tools out there, and you’ve got to remember that the mileage varies. In this episode, Josh shares why we love Trello so much.
What Is Trello and How Do You Use It
We’re huge Trello fans. After mucking around with a lot of different project management tools, we found that Trello is the best, especially at their price point.
I like having a diversity between the different software packages that we use, and Trello ticks that box as well. I don’t necessarily always like buying into the same brand. Although it’s nice being in the same ecosystem, it doesn’t always pay off when they up all their prices or infrastructure goes down.
Office 365, yep. That would never go down for 9 hours during a business day in Australia. But then it does. So it’s fantastic and you’ve got to make sure that you look at project management software from a perspective of how it manages and works with your business.
How to Use Trello Effectively
One of the great things that I like about Trello is how easy it is to manage the lists and cards. You can create lists of cards, and each of those cards can then have tasks. Each of those lists can have multiple cards that you can then move between the lists.
Trello Board Example: Project Management
What is Trello best used for?
Let’s look at it like this. You’re a kid and you want 15 different things for Christmas. They all have equal value, and you want those things no matter what. Instead of having to ask for all of them, you could make a list of what the priority items are. You can have the lower priority items, maybe it’s the pencil case (I kind of wanted that because my other pencil case looked a bit dodgy, and you don’t want to be picked on at school, so you want this other cool pencil case). I know, I know, do kids even use pencils nowadays?
Anyway, this project management software will allow you to have things of a lower priority on a separate list. When you actually get them for Christmas you can move them into another list, say, the ‘I got it from Santa’ list.
How does Trello help you improve your team dynamics?
I use project management software to manage different projects between my teams, and that works out really well. I’ve even got one that I manage with my girlfriend. You can use it for anything and everything.
The big thing is when you have a brainstorming session with the rest of your team. Even if it’s just yourself wearing different DeBono hats, thinking hats, you are able to see what tasks need to be done and to visualise what’s the most important task to be done. Set reminders and make sure that you’re kicking goals.
Trello Makes Life Easier
If you know how to use Trello right, it will make your life a little bit easier. It’s not going to overtake everything, but it is definitely going to make things easier when you go, ‘Oh, I need to update that thing on the website. Who would do that? How do I know who gets that done?’ And you go, ‘I’ll put that to the web guy.’
How to Use Trello to Manage a Team
If your computers are a bit slow, you can make another project board for calling your IT department. When your IT guys come in and they do an audit and say, ‘Okay, you need to upgrade this, this, this, this and this.’ Again, you can place them on your Trello board for everything IT and see all of these different tasks that need to be done and you can set a priority on them, and you can see what stage they’re at.
Using a Trello board is not just good for you. It helps the rest of your team to be accountable.
Can You Use Trello for Free?
I can’t speak more highly of Trello. I’ve been using it for years, and I’m still on the free plan that is still servicing us as we require it. I also use another package called ConnectWise, which does a little bit more nitty-gritty technical stuff, but generally speaking, Trello is going to get you 95% of the way there.
Did you know that you can set up automations and use integrations
for better project management with Trello?
I use Trello for our marketing teams and our sales teams, as well as for any of the other collaboration that we do with any external companies. It’s there and it does its job, and it does it well for free.
The Final Word
I would give Trello 4.5 stars out of 5. The only thing that I would change is ultimately just allowing for a few more integrations in the free plan, but that’s just because I’m being stingy, so they have to make their money somewhere.
Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed this and if you have, please make sure to jump over to iTunes, send us some love and give us some feedback.
What project management software are you using? Tell us by sending an email to [email protected] I’d love to go and try that out and see how that works for us. Stay good!
Editor’s Note: This episode was originally published on 9th October 2019. It has been revamped and updated for accuracy and to reflect recent trends.
Are you looking for better team and project management processes? Contact us for custom solutions to efficiently manage your business and achieve success for less.
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