We’re all busy these days, and one way to make it easier to get more done at work is to use the so-called downtime when we are travelling for work. In fact, whether you are stuck at the airport, waiting for a train or simply need to check the status of your project when you are out and about, there are now hundreds of products that can help you, thanks to the accessibility of tools from your smartphone or tablet.
Apps for productivity
First, I think we should look at productivity, although this means different things to different people. If you want to get more done in a day, some apps are going to make your life easier, but if you aren’t the sort of person who likes to keep your to do list in a notebook app, then you’ll actually find it slowing you down.
So, start off by working out what it is that you are trying to achieve. Do you want your task list all in one place? Do you need collaboration tools like Skype or instant messaging when you are out and about? Then look for tools to meet those needs.
The first place to start looking for apps is with those you already use in the office. Many software products now have an app version, so check out what’s available with the productivity tools you have installed on your PC or Mac. You may find that you don’t have to learn anything new as the interface will be familiar and you can probably sync your office and mobile versions so that you have access to everything from wherever you are.
However, if your preferred productivity and collaboration tools don’t have associated smartphone apps, you’ll need to look for products that do similar things but that can be accessed while you are on the move. Check out the store for your device and remember to read the reviews from people who have already been using it for a while. It’s also worth looking at when the version was last updated – try to only use apps that have regular updates as you know that they will be well maintained.
Many tools are available free, but some will require payment. Where you can, try out the free versions first or use the demos before paying for something, just to check that it really will do what you want.
Apps for project management
There are also tools to help you manage your project from wherever you happen to be, and whatever device you happen to use, be it an Apple tablet or a smartphone using Android or Windows.
Many project management software tools come with accompanying apps to help you track the status of your plans while you are out of the office. Seavus Project Viewer™, for example, lets you see your Microsoft® Project schedule in an environment that looks very similar to how you’d look at it on your PC using Project.
There are other project management apps that you may find useful, especially those around task lists and resource allocation. In fact, there are apps that do pretty much everything from expense management to helping you get more out of meetings by capturing video, photos and notes from your meeting and preparing the minutes for you!
Today, project managers need to expand the range of tools that they have available both for themselves and their project team members, because today’s work environment demands it. It is no longer possible for most project managers to consider themselves fully desk-based as the projects we work on require us to be out and about, on the road, travelling to client sites and working with international and virtual teams. And if we aren’t using these tools, you can bet that competitors are. To keep a competitive advantage we need to be embracing modern technology and making sure our days are as productive as possible.
What are your favourite project management and productivity apps? Let us know in the comments.