TaskManagementGuide.Com Articles

Personal project guide that is always on hand

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

A good personal project guide is like a project management handbook to be used each time when you need to remember some point of project management basics or to make some records on your project activities. Using your personal project guide is a simple way to achieve more goals faster and more effectively. When you manage your projects, you can use your guide to keep track of personal project topics, make records and create todo lists. Using such a guide is a convenient way to plan your personal project budget and track how much money you spend on one or another activity.

To create, use and keep your personal project help guide always on hand, it is convenient to use task management software. Such software will let you design your project guide in the form of checklists, schedules or to-do lists. You can try to use VIP Task Manager to develop your own guide that will help you plan and carry out your project activities. By means of VIP Task Manager, you can design task checklists, project templates, to-do lists, schedules, and action plans. The software lets you keep track of your project activities and set personal project criteria to measure your performance.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Use Task List view in VIP Task Manager to create your personal project guide in the form of simple to-do lists and tasks.
Use Task Tree view to design project templates and task hierarchies.
Go to Calendar view to schedule your to-do lists, templates and tasks.
Use Custom Fields functionality to specify personal project criteria that will help you measure your activities and tasks.
Use "Print" option to print out your tasks and to-do lists to keep them always on hand.

Pre task plan will help reach a safe and productive work environment

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Pre task planning is a part of the strategic task planning. It is a method of estimating tasks prior to setting basic task characteristics, such as due date, assignment and priority. Pre task planning assumes that a supervisor organizes sessions with project team members to share pre task plan forms and questionnaires. Team members will answer a number of questions to let the supervisor know whether they clearly understand their roles, goals and responsibilities within the project. For example, a sample pre task plan form may include the follow questions:

Do you feel you have all necessary skills to do your tasks efficiently?
Do you need additional tools to do your job?
Do you feel safe when working on your tasks?

The method of pre task planning is critical to efficient project management. By running the method, a project manager can find out whether the team is ready to do project tasks and whether it has all necessary competencies. Pre task planning lets ensure that team members are ready to do their tasks because they feel safe.

VIP Task Manager will help you use the method and develop pre task plans. It is a software solution that lets you create to-do lists and schedules. VIP Task Manager combines user collaboration and information sharing capabilities allowing you to conduct pre task safety analysis and productivity reviews.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Start VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
Go to Task Tree view and create a tree-like structure for your project.
Before starting planning tasks of your project, you can create a pre task plan. You can use groups and tasks to develop the plan and create a list of questions.
Go to Permissions Panel to allow your team to review the plan and the questions list.
Use Task List view to keep track of how your team follows the plan. Task List view will be best for conducting pre task analysis.

How to improve collaboration skills with a help of special software

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

How to improve collaboration skills is a question that should be solved by HR departments to reach advantageous climate within the supervised teams. Collaboration skills definition: this is a set of specific psychological and professional qualities necessary for establishing good interrelations between team members. Collaboration skills checklist includes qualities like ability to communicate politely and friendly, attentiveness to others’ opinions, ability to compromise, ability to negotiate, ability to find common grounds, healthy self-criticism and many other things that are considered as teamwork collaboration skills. These and other skills can be evaluated and developed in the course of collaboration skills trainings where team members can understand and practice these qualities. From the point when effective collaboration skills are formulated and set within your workgroup, they can be supported with a help of work management software.

Action plan

To use and promote teamwork collaboration skills, do the following:

start your work management software
form sub-teams of employees who need to collaborate at common tasks
plan tasks and assign them to appropriate groups of subordinates
supervise their activities to ensure that they can cope with assignments

Personnel management tips

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Personnel management tips are a wide theme that includes complex of scientific researches on the topics of psychology, time management and project management, IT technologies etc. Actually the personnel management definition is: the set of methods and objectives used to administer, guide, supervise, direct, lead and motivate the human resources (HR) engaged into common business activity. Personnel management objectives are to obtain the maximally motivated, satisfied, qualified, responsible, mobilized and manageable team of professionals united by common project/business goals. Developed personnel management skills are what every successful manager should possess in order to reach mentioned objectives, because certain personnel management issues are what can totally ruin the success of the organization, causing permanent business failures and as a result – a complete collapse. Of course these skills are obtained during long time through consistent studying and practising, but in order to avoid basic problems you can find some personnel management tutorials on the Web (a book, a list of tips etc). Along with this you can strengthen your personnel management approaches with a help of special software like the following:

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution. This tool can be used to reach the personnel management objectives through achieving better manageability, disciplining staff, communicating work plans to employees, describing tasks in all possible details and establishing accurate supervision.

Action plan

To set personnel management system over your staff, do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
plan to-do lists
use Comments and Notes panel to individual give instructions
assign tasks to performers and control performance in real-time

Time management ABC theory and software

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Time management ABC method is an effective and very popular way of prioritizing tasks when composing to-do lists. ABC time management is popular because of its simplicity. Actually time management ABC approach means ranging your tasks by three categories of importance – A, B and C. According to ABC time management method, the first “A” category includes critical tasks that are both urgent and important, or that lie on critical path towards your long-term goals; the “B” category includes important things, but they don’t meet the “A” criteria yet; the “C” category is just for things that would be nice to do, but they are neither urgent nor important. Time management ABC analysis methods that define which category a task can be ascribed to are also very simple: for example, you may analyse importance of tasks by asking yourself “what bad thing would happen if I didn't do this today?”; you may put to “B” tasks that don’t match “A” requirements at current moment, but potentially may/will escalate to “A” later (if they are postponed). This easy method can be applied in professional or personal practice with the same success, and in both cases can be managed with a help of software.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution. With a help of this multi-user tool you can easily prioritize and share tasks in your workgroup.

VIP Organizer is simple-in-use individual time management ABC software that works as flexible task list manager. This personal software allows you to plan time, control priorities and create checklists

Action plan

To set time management ABC method, do the following:

start your time management ABC software
plan your tasks and if you are a manager assign tasks to subordinates
ascribe tasks to ABC categories according to their importance and urgency

Workforce planning guide

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

A sure path to support smooth and effective running of a project is to manage workforce correctly. According to different workforce planning definitions, this is special process (within organization’s HR management) that allows organization to be sure that in the future it will be supported by human resources of proper qualities. Workforce planning Wikipedia article defines persons possessing sets of appropriate qualities as talents. In other words, workforce planning goals include assuring the prospective development of the company by arranging its access to proper workforce sources. Workforce planning guide is an organizational chart which defines the ways on how the company is going to find, attract and employ specialists of appropriate talent. This may include obtaining access to different potential sources – partnership with educational institutions and employment agencies, advantageous contracting, organizing in-company trainings and educational courses, identifying and developing individual predisposition of existing employees etc. You may find many HR portals on the web, where tons of workforce planning articles are posted, but if you would like to try a tool helping you in workforce management, helping you to manage tasks and projects, then you are at the right place.

Action plan

To set workforce planning and controlling, do the following:

start your project planning software
list your employees in Resource List
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
plan to-do lists and due dates
assign group and individual workloads
control performance in real-time

What are task functions and how to manage them

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

In any organization, there are certain tasks that while running keep this organization afloat, or in other word tasks that mean key business activities of this organization. Example of such a task can be a general task like this one for sales department: “To ensure the sales according to monthly plan, and continuously develop the fundament for further sales growth”. Such a task statement is too general and lay, so it should be elaborated into a complex daily work and day-to-day functions that actually fill this task with a sense. Such task content can be called the task functions that make a core of the process. Each general task should be explained in appropriate task function statement that covers all levels of task functions and maintenance functions necessary for successful fulfilment of this task. If to speak about given example of the sales department task, we can say that it may include such daily task functions as prospecting, advertising, proposing, negotiations etc.

VIP Task Manager is client-server software for planning and controlling different projects and managing task functions through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution.

Action plan

To manage task functions, do the following:

start your task management software
plan your tasks and if you are a manager, then assign tasks to subordinates
elaborate tasks with specific task functions
create daily working plans for individuals and departments
control performance of task functions

Report writing guide � Learning the key components of a typical report structure

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Usually report writing guides set different recommendations for composing a typical report structure and creating report content. Here, in this short report writing guide, probably the most comprehensive layout that fits with most report writing aims and objectives is presented. The key components of a typical report structure are:

Title Page
Abstract
Introduction
Description of Procedure
Discussion
Appendix
Sample Calculations
References

You should note that not all sections of this sample layout are mandatory. Some of the sections can be used when applicable. VIP Task Manager will help you use this layout and add the key components to create a comprehensive report. VIP Task Manager is a software solution that helps manage todo lists, develop schedules and build structures for projects and reports.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Use Task Tree view of VIP Task Manager to create a tree-like structure for your report.
Follow the described report layout and use task groups in VIP Task Manager to add the key components in your report structure.
Use tasks in VIP Task Manager to specify the lowest elements of your report structure.
Use "Print" option of the software to get a printable copy of your report.
In case of necessity, you can get additional report writing help by reading some literature on report writing definition.

Group project guidelines can be followed by using group project management software

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Compliance with a series of group project guidelines is essential to organizations that want to turn their employees into productive workgroups and teams. Group project practices offer many worthwhile opportunities to better organize group efforts and teamwork. Obviously, if you develop and implement your own group project guidelines and tips, your team will get a better understanding of group project definition and take more actions to solve group project problems.

To start implementing your own group project tips and guidelines, first you need to choose group project management software that will help you make your initial efforts in developing and maintaining your group project ideas. For example, you can choose VIP Task Manage which offers a great foundation for achieving better group project management and teamwork organization. VIP Task Manager features a project tree building tool that helps you develop tree-like structures for your projects and hierarchies of team-based tasks. Members of your team will access levels of your project tree and review project content – in VIP Task Manager there is Permissions Panel that allows or denies your team to review information on your project. Your group project topics can be shared between members of your team within a single database.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Start the application and log in your database.
Go to Task Tree view and create there a tree-like structure for your project.
If you want to allow or deny your team to access specific levels of your project structure, go to Permissions Panel in VIP Task Manager and set user permissions.

Classroom management guide � How to organize the teaching process and plan curriculums

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Using classroom management guides to create a safe environment in classrooms should be an educator's primary concern. Without understanding classroom management definition and setting clear classroom management goals, academic learning will not occur. Educators should know how to plan the teaching process, communicate with students, develop worksheets, check student attendance, etc. Usually teachers, lecturers and trainers use special classroom management software to organize the teaching process and plan curriculums. Such software is like a task management tool that allows planning the process and reviewing its status by using simple tasks and todo lists.

VIP Task Manager will help make efforts to plan the teaching process and develop education schedules, classroom worksheets, todo lists and task lists. It is a task management tool that is best for educators who need to organize their own activities and set education tasks. VIP Task Manager is available for free during 1 month. Teachers and lecturers can evaluate the software to ensure whether it meets their classroom management goals and fits their requirements.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Use Task List view to develop tasks and todo lists.
Use Task Tree view to develop hierarchies of tasks and structures of education projects.
Use Scheduler to design education schedules and worksheets.
VIP Task Manager supports user collaboration, so several educators can access one and the same database and work on common tasks of the teaching process.

Several myths surrounding the Work Break Down Structure method

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Work Break Down Structure rules! (WBS rules!) What a great method of project management! Many project managers prefer using this method to plan and execute project tasks and activities. It allows creating a decomposition of work and developing a project tree structure. WBS rules are used to create project plans, schedules, todo lists, resource calendars, etc.

There are several myths surrounding WBS rules. Here are these myths:

WBS vs Project Plan – WBS is the foundation for developing a project plan. It shows work packages (sets of individual activities) to be completed to deliver the project. WBS cannot be compared to a project plan but it can be used for developing this plan.
WBS vs Schedule – WBS helps create a composition of tasks and individual activities and then use this composition to set timeframes and durations. Development of project schedules is entirely based on using WBS components, so the comparison "WBS vs Schedule" is incorrect.
WBS vs Gantt Chart – Charts and diagrams help represent projects in a graph view. WBS items can be used to represent project tasks and activities in Gantt Chart. The comparison "WBS vs Gantt Chart" is incorrect.

VIP Task Manager allows using the WBS method to plan and manage projects. It features project management tools to develop project trees, create todo lists, design schedules, and build charts.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Use Task Tree view to create project trees and task hierarchies.
Use Task List view to manage todo lists and project tasks.
Use Calendar view to design task schedules and project timeline.
Use Charts Panel to build diagrams.

How to handle difficult tasks efficiently

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Most of people have to plan and do difficult tasks from day to day. A project manager needs to plan project tasks, set priorities, and make assignments facing some difficulties in project planning and scheduling. A sales manager needs to outline a sales plan, assign salespersons, and keep track of performance facing some difficulties in sales planning and controlling. Any manager or even an employee should know how to handle difficult tasks efficiently in order to succeed in task management and to produce expected results on schedule and within budget.

Difficult task quotes can be successfully managed by using task management software. Such software gives tools that help plan, schedule, do and control your list of difficult tasks. By means of task management software, you are able to cope with, probably, any task difficulty because you can develop task schedules, todo lists, task timelines, detailed agendas, etc. For example, VIP Task Manager provides you with Task List and Scheduler that are powerful tools for managing and scheduling arduous tasks (difficult task synonym). VIP Task Manager lets you forget about difficult task definition in whole and start doing your tasks and duties easier and more efficiently.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Sign in your database and go to Task List tab. Here you can create your list of difficult tasks, then use priorities and due dates to make these tasks easier and clear.
Go to Scheduler tab and review your tasks on calendar. You can display your tasks in daily/weekly/monthly/yearly view.
Use Filter Bar to focus on prioritized and urgent tasks.
Set notifications to receive/send desktop task updates and email messages.
Use reminders to remember about important events listed in your daily agenda.

Work planning software helps get our tasks planned and scheduled

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Work planning is a practice of using various methods, techniques and tools to improve the quality of work. It is a daily activity that we carry out when we want to plan our workday, schedule meetings or make necessary phone calls. If we do not have a plan to do something, we are likely to fail. Our return to work planning techniques will allow setting goals, managing time, obtaining necessary resources, collaborating with other people, etc. Work planning software is required to get our tasks planned and scheduled. No matter whether you need to plan your personal tasks or schedule group activities, social work planning software will help you develop work schedules, manage todo lists, share information, lead teams, complete projects, etc.

VIP Task Manager is a convenient solution for business and life work planning. It features Task List and Task Tree to help you create, prioritize, track and report todo lists and tasks. VIP Task Manager is available for free – you can get an evaluation copy of the software and try it for free within 30 days.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Launch the software and access your database.
Use Resource List view to add new users to the database.
Go to Permissions Panel to allow or deny users to access information.
Use Comments Panel to share work planning quotes and ideas with your colleagues and subordinates.

WBS guide � what is it, and how it may help

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Work breakdown structure definition (WBS definition): it is the tool representing the way of division your project into various elements to know how they are interrelated, how the bigger elements of the project are subdivided into smaller pieces, how the necessary amounts of labor and other resources are distributed between these project elements, as well as how costs and budget are allocated. WBS guide is a type of software that facilitates operating with WBS and gives the answer to questions like “work breakdown structure how to cope with it?”. Common work breakdown structure guidelines (WBS guidelines) explain that this thing is like a map that tells you where and how to move due to the project completion. Composing WBS is a serious arrangement that requires certain qualification and skills, however, this is not “quantum physics”, so person who is not a professional in project management can easily learn this through consistent exercising; for this purpose there are a lot of work breakdown structure tips (WBS tips) on the Web, including tip to use special software providing you with the tools for composing and modifying break-down structures.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork WBS guide for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order of identifying project evolution. This tool can be used in a team, interconnecting people through their responsibilities and tasks shown on work breakdown structure, demonstrating you and them the current situation on your project described in all possible details.

Action plan

To set WBS for your project do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
plan to-do lists
assign tasks to performers and control performance

Short overview of the problem: time wasters guide, or how to optimize corporate time

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Time wasters definition: activities that are not connected to the main duties of employee, but disturbing employee, stealing much of employee’s productive time, thereby harming working process, decreasing employee’s efficiency, and dispersing his/her attention. Time wasters in the office are the “money wasters” as well, because employees’ inefficiency may directly or indirectly cost too much in terms of long periods, continuously producing less profits and hampering employees’ professional development. In order to define time wasters and how to avoid them, every company may need to design own corporate time wasters guide to explain the main possible time wasters in the office, and to announce necessity to fight against them. Time wasters time management practices are usual policy in many modern companies as far as many of time wasters in the workplace are related to use of computers and Internet (instant messengers, social networks etc), so certain restrictions may be applied for limiting Internet access etc. Good way of decreasing effects of time wasters is using special time management software that helps employees to get concentrated at their tasks, explaining importance of corporate time. Let’s consider specific example.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution. This tool can be used as a time wasters guide, communicating guidance to employees, and allowing you to optimize your corporate time, making your approaches in this sphere more and more efficient.

Action plan

To get rid of time wasters at work, do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
plan to-do lists, use Calendar for composing agendas and timelines
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
assign tasks to performers and control performance

Project tracking tools

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Project tracking is a very important process that ensures correct course of performance towards project completion. If you would like to study scientific background of this process you may search for project tracking wiki answers etc, but if you would like to conduct this process in reality, you need to have to master project tracking best practices. Actually, if you are not going to manage some complex projects along with establishing quality management system and controlling multi-level hierarchy of goals and measures, project tracking for you is just a process of controlling how progress on supervised work is going on. If you are a small/medium business manager, there is nothing better for you than using special project tracking software that provides ready-to-go capabilities for controlling key measures on project performance. For this purpose there are project tracking websites offering online work tracking systems, however project tracking best practices recommend using desktop software. Let’s consider one example in the following paragraph:

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for project tracking, enabling use of different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution. This tool can show you the current situation on your project described in all possible details, facilitating progress identification and assessment.

Action plan

To track your project, do the following:

start your project tracking software
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
plan to-do lists
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
assign tasks to performers and control performance in real time

Project execution guide � simple software for those who collaborate at projects

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Project execution definition: it is a process of doing tasks and producing results according to preset and approved plan supplemented with additional guidance and expertise. Project execution guide is what necessary to compose before performing a project, if there are yet a number of essential recommendations, comments, and additional requirements immediately connected to working process. Such a project execution guide should be composed and agreed by project stakeholders beforehand, in order to prevent applying wrong practical approaches and to outline desirable way of working that matches some project specifics. This guide can be also called a project execution manual, because it tells the directions to follow during the project execution, explains preferable methods to apply, and explains vision of the best manner to perform certain tasks. Actually, this guide may play a role of project execution framework, giving a frame for ongoing decision-making.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution. This tool can be used as a project execution guide, communicating guidance to practical performers, showing you and them the current situation on your project described in all possible details.

Action plan

To set project execution definition for your project do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
plan to-do lists
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
assign tasks to performers and control performance

Office manager guide

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Office manager guide is a type of software tool helping office managers to be in the center of current situation within entrusted offices. Office manager definition: one of the key administrators in many organizations, undertaking coordination of different staff functions within the office, and assisting company direction on pursuing tactical and strategic business goals. Actually office manager may work as connecting link between company management, staff members and clients. Office manager goals include staff organizing activities and maintaining discipline, controlling usability of different office facilities, handling some external business contacts, supervising implementation of different business policies etc. Actually this means hard and stressful daily work requiring high level of self-organization. Many office manager tips recommend using special software (office manager guides) for planning and controlling workflow of this specialists.

VIP Task Manager is a tool which can be used as office manager guide ensuring instant real-time collaboration between office manager and other members of the team. This groupware can be used by office administrator as effective business organizer, because it features Scheduler (Calendar), Task List and Task Tree modes as the parts of common virtual system where people can share their tasks and documents.

Action plan

To get clear on situation within the office, do the following:

start your office manager guide
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
use Notifications, task statuses and other attributes to know the current situation
control employee timetables and schedules through Task List and Calendar

Business software guide

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Business software definition: tools designed to support different needs that appear during performing business functions and processes. Due to variety of industries and aspects where business software is used, the whole abundance of these programs needs to be properly systematized. In order to help software-seekers in searching for proper solutions, these products can be organized into online business software directory (web-portals) where each section can be dedicated to particular type of tools. Actually today there are a lot of web-sites providing guidance on all freeware and payware that can be used for satisfying different business needs. Such web-sites can be called business software guides. They may adjudge own business software awards to deserving programs, and inform audience through posting business software articles and reviews. You are currently on such a web-site – business software guide dedicated to specific task management software, explaining its pros and cons, and giving all-round investigation on its capabilities.

VIP Task Manager is client-server business teamwork software for project planning and tracking. It allows using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order of identifying project evolution. This tool can show you the current situation on your project described in all possible details, facilitating progress identification and assessment.

Action plan

To track your project, do the following:

start your business software
use Task Tree to set up tasks for your team
plan to-do lists
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
assign tasks to performers and control performance in real time

Review calendar software to learn more about planning and scheduling tasks

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Calendar software helps us manage our leisure time and working hours as well as organize events and plan actions. Modern technologies allowed us to plan and track our daily tasks by launching calendar software solutions on personal portable devices and cell phones (for example, calendar software windows mobile solutions). We can always be aware of new assignments, prioritized tasks, and current schedules.

The importance of calendar software can be proven by many websites, including this one and calendar software wiki website. No matter whether you use desktop or web calendar software in your everyday life, you gain an opportunity to improve your time management, become more productive, and do more tasks each day or hour. Such software allows you to organize both personal and group activities. Group collaboration capabilities will be especially important to you if you are a manager who needs to lead project teams and plan teamwork.

At this website you can review calendar software "VIP Task Manager" and read short articles that describe the software’s features and functionality. VIP Task Manager is a client-server solution for planning, scheduling and managing tasks and task-based activities (such as projects, workflows and processes). The software successfully competes with web based calendar software. It offers real-time user collaboration and information sharing tools.

Action plan

Action Plan:

Launch VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
Use Calendar view of VIP Task Manager to create schedules and plan tasks.
Use Task List view to display your schedules in "todo list" view.
Use Task Tree view to plan projects and task hierarchies.

Task ownership � basics and ways of ownership management

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Task ownership – is one of the key elements of motivating employees, because it ensures accountability and makes certain team member responsible for completing work. There are some rules around correct way of setting task ownership: first, regardless of the number of people doing work on a task, each task should have only one key responsible person on it, and second, regardless of who is actually doing the work, the task should always belong to an active member of the team. Basically the task ownership matrix may have appearance of a table where 1^st column is for the name of task owner and the next columns are for ID’s of the tasks, so you get the list of task owners where each name is listed once, but it can be related to multiple tasks recorded next to it. Many software products like MS Outlook have ownership as one of the essential task attributes, for example MS Outlook task owner can be set when you work in collaborative regime of Microsoft Exchange.

VIP Task Manager is real-time groupware that doesn’t need any additional means for working in collaborative mode and facilitates planning and controlling projects through using different adjustable modes (calendar, task tree, to-do list). This program automatically sets task ownership when you create a task, but due to the importance of this attribute you cannot change task owner or set several task owners to one task, instead of this you can set multiple supervisors to task, but the owner is always only one.

To set task ownership for task in your project do the following:

Action plan

start your task management tool
login under your account
plan tasks
assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Project estimation guidelines

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Project estimation guidelines are what necessary to outline before to get into project planning, and then to observe during this process. Project estimation definition: it is the process of describing project in terms of qualitative and quantitative parameters (usually time and costs), predefining goals to follow while performing the actual job. Project estimate definition: it is the chart describing costs, time and other parameters in regard to separate project elements and the entire project. Project estimating guidelines describe what should be taken into account while creating this chart and planning costs & time for different project elements. These guidelines can be composed according to project estimation best practices; so many common mistakes can be avoided in the bud. There are special project estimation trainings and seminars dedicated to certain specific types of projects. Sometimes, the subject of such project estimating trainings is using special software for facilitating project planning, so let’s consider one of such programs.

Action plan

To set guidelines for your project do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set action plan goals
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Sales process guide � simple software to manage work of sales departments

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Sales process guide is what helps to undertake activities related to selling products and services. Sales process definition: This is a process that begins with initial contact with potential client, continues with negotiations, and which finishes when product or service is sold to this client (required goods are laded to the client and payments for them are received by the vender). Theoretically such a deal finishes with mutual satisfaction of the both sides. While this is general schema, in practice there are different ways to organize this process in details, so appropriate sales process methodology heavily depends on the type of organization, business, and goods. Methodology may include special guidelines designed to increase sales through applying different “tricks” and methods. You can find different sales process descriptions on the Web, and some of them may match your business specificity. Anyway, description of such a process should be communicated to performers (salespersons) and properly controlled, for this process special software can be used.

Action plan

To set sales process description for your project do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to set tasks for your sales team
plan to-do lists, sales plans and set other goals
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
assign tasks to performers
control sales performance

Task specificity � tool to set task resources and parameters

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Task specificity is a set of essential and significant characteristics that heavily influence the way of task performance. Task specificity affects the organization of work, along with selecting appropriate methods, know-how’s and defining task specific resources. If task specificity is properly observed, then this task can be done faster and better than if without any preparation. When to speak about organizations, task specific training takes important part in preparation process, because through such trainings task performers can obtain necessary skills, knowledge and get ready to deal with task specificity. Adaptation of standardized working processes to match certain task specificity is usual practice, saving a lot of time and money. There are special products that can be used for managing of task specific resources, allocation of responsibilities and scheduling task steps – these tools can be called task specific agents.
<a href='http://www.taskmanagementsoft.com/products/taskmanagerpro/index.php' target='_blank'>VIP Task Manager</a> is real-time project management software that allows task specificity planning and performance controlling through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and utilization efficiency of task specific resources. 
<h3>Action plan</h3>
 <div id="adv2_left">
To set task specificity for your team, do the following: 
<ol>
<li>start your project management tool </li>
<li>use Task Tree to break-down your project into doable activities</li>
<li>plan task specific resources to allocate them among specific tasks</li>
<li>plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers</li>
</ol>
</div>

Task approach and its types � tool that can help you in implementing winning working style

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

It is very important for work success to select the right task approach – how to get task into processing so working at this task can be carried out without any issues and according to plan. Task approach skills are highly valued qualities of any professional, because they actually tell the difference between amateurs and professionals. There are different kinds of task approaches, for example – the objective task approach which is general approach working for almost any kind of tasks, and the more specific authentic task approach that outlines how to deal with certain kind of tasks. Usually, in practise, these two methods are synthesized into one effective task approach covering the whole task approach needs along with specific needs.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that can help you to improve your task approaches, so you and your teammates can direct their efforts at right priorities and objectives communicated to them through this tool. This software facilitates work planning and controlling through using different adjustable modes (calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, apply manager’s task approach skills, control tasks along with calculating costs and team efficiency. The style which you would like to use, whether it is objective task approach, authentic task approach or any other style – is up to you.

Action plan

To set and monitor task approach efficiency – do the following:

start your task management software
use Task Tree to break-down your project into doable activities
plan to-do lists, timelines, milestones and goals according to selected task approach
plan due dates, costs, and assign tasks to performers
control performance

Task plan � why to create and how to manage

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Certain task plan is necessary to accomplish any work, whether this plan is on a paper or just in your mind. By creating task plan we ensure proper way of task performance. Good task plan may save a great lot of our time and energy, so it is not difficult for the most of us, before initiating some work, to sit and compose good task plan to outline how, when and what we are going to do. If we deal with some recurring task we may create task plan template to facilitate our work and avoid reinventing task plan from the beginning every new time. Also, for performing some complex tasks you may need to create pre task plan. In such a plan you may outline actions necessary to get prepared to the main task. When it comes to teamwork we should be much more accurate in composing pre task plans along with creating the main task plan to ensure that everything is optimized and everyone does what he/she is supposed to do.

VIP Task Manager is client-server task plan software allowing workgroup members to plan and share their tasks described with multiple parameters, and to control these tasks through using adjustable interface modes ( timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list ) for keeping aware of task plan performance, team and individual productivity, for identifying project evolution , controlling costs and efficiency.

Action plan

To use this software for sample task plan management� do the following:

start your task management software
use Task Tree to set up task plan and target dates
schedule to-do lists of activities
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Work plan guide � what is it, and software to manage

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Work plan guide is a set of directives, comments and recommendations, supporting work plan through outlining and clarifying how to work at important details in the context of certain project. Work plan definition: it is general or detailed description of what is necessary to do from project beginning to project successful completion. Work plan objectives include providing the actual work performers with clear and consistent picture of tasks and jobs to do. To compose a good work plan you may use certain work plan methodology, telling you how to manage your work plan along with making it really workable and understandable for process participants. Such methodology may include composing the work plan guidelines that are intended to explain workers some doubtful positions, recommend desirable solutions and to provide more detailed instructions on work requirements and decision-making directions. To compose, manage and communicate work plans you may use special software.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, to give work plan guidelines, to control costs, team efficiency and actual observance of given instructions.

Action plan

To set work plan guide for your project do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set action plan goals
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Event planner guide

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, to give work plan guidelines, to control costs, team efficiency and actual observance of given instructions.

Action plan

To set work plan guide for your project do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set action plan goals
use Comments and Notes panel to give instructions
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Office work tips

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Today, in post-industrial society more and more people work at offices. Office work definition says that office is a special environment with its own micro-climate that influences how well and effective people will work there. There are lots of different office work tips on the Web, explaining how to reach optimal office organization, including furniture disposing, arranging effective day and night lighting, fine decoration and observance of some specific personal, national or religious requirements. Another angle of efficient working is an arrangement of pleasant psychological atmosphere, for this purpose certain interpersonal office work skills and disciplining guidelines should be explained to employees. Basically, office work goals are the same as in any other type of work – to produce high-quality results and outputs according to plan, or better ones if possible. One of the essential office tips is to use special software to manage office work, let’s consider specific example:

VIP Task Manager is real-time office work software for planning and controlling different projects in team, through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, to give work plan guidelines, to control costs, team efficiency, office work goals and given instructions.

Action plan

To manage office work for your project – do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set action plan goals
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Project evaluation guide

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Simple project evaluation definition: this is a process of analyzing the tasks included into completing a given project, in order to identify optimal amount of resources (usually time and money) needed to complete each of the tasks, and as a result to complete the total project. Project evaluation guide (also can be called the project evaluation manual) is a chart, explaining the methods and “know-how’s” on how to evaluate projects of certain type, because different projects may have different specificity and they may need appropriate project evaluation methodology. As far as project evaluation guidelines can be very different for different cases, it is very important to engage a person who “knows the trade” in evaluating the given project, to avoid common mistakes, to give all-round research on the risks and to make results close to reality as much as possible. Special project evaluation trainings can be provided to people who would like to learn how to be more effective with planning resources on the projects. If you would like to know scientific background of project evaluation you may search for project evaluation Wikipedia references, and if you search for some practical solution you may take a look at the following software product.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, to apply selected project evaluation methodology, to control costs, team efficiency and actual observance of given instructions.

Action plan

To set work plan and resources after project evaluation – do the following:

start your project planning software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set action plan goals
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Work breakdown structure techniques

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Work breakdown structure methodology (WBS methodology) allows you to break down large units of your project work into smaller activities and subprojects which serve as a foundation for developing schedules of your project. It is like "breaking big rocks into small pieces". Work breakdown structure method (WBS method) is also called "work decomposition". You can use this method to structure your very large projects and divide larger entities into more and more granular components.

Implementation of Work Breakdown Structure approaches (WBS approaches) requires using of project management software that has necessary functionality for structuring projects and creating task hierarchies and project trees. Many Work Breakdown Structure tutorials (WBS tutorials) also mention about the necessity of user collaboration and data sharing functionally that project management software should have in order to let users do their best by making collaborative efforts and sharing information. For example, VIP Task Manager supports user collaboration and data sharing capability allowing users to communicate with each other. VIP Task Manager is project management software that features Task Tree view for building project tees, multi-level todo lists, task hierarchies, and template project structures (like template Work Breakdown Structure matrix (WBS matrix)). You can try VIP Task Manager for free during 30 days and evaluate its functionality for free.

Action plan

Launch VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
Go to Task Tree view to create a tree-like structure for your project. You can use task groups to add "parent" and "child" folders in the project tree.
Use Task List view to create, schedule, prioritize and assign tasks.
Use Permissions panel to allow or deny users to access specific levels of your project tree.

Task graph building � Using task management software to build task charts

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

The problem of building simple yet informative task graphs is daunting if no task management software is used. Such software allows creating task hierarchies and categorized todo lists and then building corresponding diagrams and charts. When you have a graph representation of task statuses and progress, you can get a more convenient view of information on task performance and employee productivity. You can create printable, hierarchical task graph sheets and use them at meetings to show task progress as diagrams.

VIP Task Manager is task management software that helps you manage todo lists and schedules and create diagrams ad charts. The software features Charts panel that lets you build task graphs for free without wasting time on defining multiple parameters. The panel has five charts, including Pie Chart and Bar Chart. You can create a chart by using two task parameters. For example, to build a chart that allows comparing time spent and time planned, you can choose Actual Time and Estimate Time from the drop-down list on the panel. The software will let you print out your charts.

Action plan

Launch VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
To build a chart, go to Task Tree view, select a task group and then go to Charts panel. Select chart type (e.g. Pie Chart, Line Chart) and choose two parameters from the drop-down list on the panel.
To print out your chart, use Print Preview option on the panel.

Effective management tips � Combining software with management skills to achieve better results

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

If you start reading effective management articles and reviews, you will see that most of them point at high importance of skills and abilities when a person wants to manage activities of others. In order to manage an organization and its employees, managers need to have a unique combination of effective management skills and competences which can be obtained and developed from various effective management training programs offered by MBA courses. Such key skills as sociability, decision making, leadership, and conflict resolving are required for successful management of employees.

You can attend MBA training courses to learn effective management definitions, principles of team building, rules of business administration, theories of project management, etc. And besides all the knowledge you can acquire, there is one more thing that you need to use everyday in order to manage employees and activities in your organization. This thing is software.

Software solutions allow you to apply effective management theories, methods and techniques. You can use software to systemize your initiatives, manage tasks of employees, start projects and processes, organize business activities, schedule actions and steps, etc. For example, VIP Task Manager gives you software tools that help you take care of effective management characteristics, such as time, money and people. VIP Task Manager is a multi-user software solution for managing tasks, cost and schedules within projects and business processes.

Action plan

Use Task Tree view to organize your projects and build project trees
Use Task List view to manage your tasks and todo lists
Use Scheduler view to build calendars and plan tasks

Customer service guide � tool to manage and guide customer servicing

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Customer service guide is special corporate charter that outlines the main principles of building up and maintaining good relationships with current and prospective company clients. The main customer service target is reaching maximal customer’s satisfaction, so any misunderstandings and displeasures can be avoided systematically. Customer service guide usually explains interpersonal rules and winning behaviours to achieve customer service targets. Usually it is realized in a form of customer service tips and guidelines that are designed on basis of normal interpersonal ethics and professional attitudes, and communicated to those employees who immediately work with clients. Usually this communication can be supported by explaining customer service guidelines through special trainings and seminars for employees. The best way to help customer service in carrying out their tasks is to install customer service guide software supporting different areas of department activities.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that can be used as customer service guide for planning and sharing tasks, providing you with templates for recurring arrangements and projects. Through this software you can set customer service targets represented through practical activities, customer service tips and control these tasks through using adjustable interface modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) for keeping aware of performance, event team productivity, for identifying project evolution, controlling costs and team efficiency.

To use this software as your customer service guide – do the following:

Action plan

start your task management software
use Task Tree to set customer service targets and target dates
schedule to-do lists of practical activities
use Comments and Notes panels to store and share customer service guidelines
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Task team � definition, leadership and management software

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Let’s give task team definition. Task team (aka action group) is a group of people joined temporarily or permanently to accomplish some task or to be engaged into some project (collective action). Of course, task teams need to be structured and managed appropriately, so there should be certain task team and individual roles which define responsibilities and duties of each team member, along with seniority chain that is driven by the task team leader. This role in task team is the most responsible, because leader is not only the superior, but rather the senior team leader, proving guidance, help and advice to all other members, along with their encouragement and supervision. That’s why task team leader should be one of the most experienced persons in the team, knowing the trade from inside, and along with this, task team leader should master some psychological techniques to overcome conflicts and stimulate people. There is special software that can help team leader to supervise and guide the team.

VIP Task Manager is client-server teamwork software that can be used by task team members for planning and sharing their tasks described with multiple parameters, and for controlling these tasks through using adjustable interface modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) for keeping aware of performance, task team and individual productivity, for identifying project evolution, controlling costs and efficiency.

To use this software in task team – do the following:

Action plan

start your task management software
use Task Tree to set up tasks and target dates
schedule to-do lists of activities
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

How to schedule staff by using task management software

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Probably, you can hardly find an organization that does not use task management software to organize its employees and control their activities. Task management software teaches you how to schedule staff activities and how to enhance staff performance. Such software allows you to implement various staff scheduling tips and suggestions that you can find in Internet. A typical algorithm of scheduling staff tasks includes the following steps:

Setting task due date as well as start and finish points.
Using priorities to indicate importance and urgency of tasks
Making task assignments and setting supervisors

You can go through these steps as well as add your own ideas to create unique staff scheduling algorithms that meet your requirements. VIP Task Manager will help you do so. It is task management software for group collaboration and team leading. The software allows using Calendar to schedule tasks and develop both electronic and printable staff schedules.

Action Plan:

Action plan

Run VIP Task Manager and create a new database.
Use Resource List view to add new usernames to your database.
Go to Calendar where you can create staff schedules and calendars and display them in daily/weekly/monthly view.
In VIP Task Manager each task has several default attributes for planning tasks. You can use Due Date, Start Date, Estimated Time, and Actual Time to plan your tasks. You can also create user-defined attributes for adjusting and customizing your staff scheduling algorithms.

What is a task journal?

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

The term “task journal” often refers to a software tool that allows creating a journal of records and keeping information about the journal’s entries (such as tasks) in a chronological order. Daily task journals are widely used in project management to keep track of working time spent on tasks on a daily basis. Project management software that has a built-in task journal tool (e.g. Outlook task journal) lets track minutes and hours which project team members have spent while doing tasks.

VIP Task Manager has a task journal tool that records all the changes that you apply to a task. The software features History panel that records name of the user who makes any changes and the date when these changes are made. This panel will help you keep track of tasks and projects.

Action Plan:

Action plan

Run VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
Create a new task.
Select that task and go to History panel.
The panel will include records that show the changes you have made in a chronological order.
Use Filter bar on the panel to filter records by date and user name.
You can print out records on the panel by using “Print” option.

Online collaboration reviews

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Collaboration software tools let you and your co-workers log in a centralized database and share information, make collaborative efforts and contribute to achievement of shared goals. Many online collaboration reviews prove the importance of multi-user software solutions. When using such solutions, you are not bound to a specific location and your co-workers can communicate with you and access your information through Internet or LAN. You have no need to think of ways to share your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, web links, tasks, and calendars because you can use services of online collaboration websites to allow your co-workers to access your data.

Collaboration software tools can be web based and desktop based. Most web based tools offer ordinary and common functionality that allows users to access remote web servers through online browsers. Such tools demonstrate what online collaboration definition is and how online users can collaborate by using special web services. You can find useful information about web based solutions at online collaboration wiki definitions. Desktop based solutions are often much featured and offer real-time collaboration. You can communicate with your co-workers by accessing a central database via LAN or Internet. Any piece of information stored in the database can be shared. For example, VIP Task Manager allows several users to connect to common database and make collaborative efforts. By using this desktop based software, you can share content and manage personal and group tasks, schedules and projects. Unlike online collaboration sites, VIP Task Manager allows you to work with other users offline (without Internet) giving you more advantages and flexibility.

Action Plan:

Action plan

Launch VIP Task Manager and log in your database (if you do not have your database, please create a new one) under Administrator username.
Create a new account for you and a personal task group that will keep all your tasks.
If you want other users to access your task group, you can use Permissions Panel to set access level for each user. You can allow or deny a user to view/edit/delete/create records in your folder.
Use Roles Panel to set bundle permissions for several users at once.
You can access your database through LAN or Internet.

Event management guide � short industry overview

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Event management definition: industry where companies and individuals position themselves as professional organizers, arranging business and personal events like conferences, weddings, birthdays parties etc, undertaking all issues related to event organization. And this business is popular today because many people are too busy with their usual work and business, or just cannot answer the question “important event management, how to arrange all this?”, but yet they aspire to have greatly organized parties and weddings, so, hoping to get qualified event management help, they have to delegate this task to special people. Activity of such professionals can be supported by event management guide – software that is designed to plan and control event management goals, tasks and workflow. Through this software, the leader of event organizing team can give event management guidelines and tasks to his/her subordinates.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that is ideal as event management guide for sharing tasks, providing you with templates for recurring arrangements and projects. Through this software you can set event management goals represented through practical activities, and control these tasks through using adjustable interface modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) for keeping aware of performance, event team productivity, for identifying project evolution, controlling costs and team efficiency.

To use this software as your event management guide – do the following:

Action plan

start your task management software
use Task Tree to set event management goals and target dates
schedule to-do lists of practical activities
use Comments and Notes panels to store and share event management tips
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Task structure � what is it and how to create it

Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0300

VIP Task Manager is client-server task plan software allowing workgroup members to plan and share their tasks described with multiple parameters, and to control these tasks through using adjustable interface modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) for keeping aware of task plan performance, team and individual productivity, for identifying project evolution, controlling costs and efficiency.

To use this software for sample task plan management– do the following:

Action plan

start your task management software
use Task Tree to set up task plan and target dates
schedule to-do lists of activities
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Software for explaining to do list ideas in terms of practical steps

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0300

If you have some time ahead, for example new month, you may aspire to complete as much as you only can during this time, but actually the variety of objectives may confuse you, so you cannot concentrate and cannot achieve much. For making your activities more meaningful you need to master some to do list life planning approaches. Actually, you need to invent some useful to do list ideas to get them into realization during upcoming period of time, so you can spend time with maximum of benefitby realizing to do list ideas that you have thought of before, but haven�t time to cope with. To do list definition tells us that it is a list of specific tasks to complete, so your to do list ideas are rather to do list goals that measure success, while you need to explain these to do list goals through doable steps and activities that can be complete one-by-one. When going for a walk, you may need to take to do list quotes with you, so you can do some tasks or buy some items while you will be there. You may use special software for managing your tasks, like examples represented here:

VIP Organizer is to do list life planning software that works as individual instrument allowing you to get a dynamic list of your appointments and tasks to set their categories, priorities , due dates, notes and to manage checklists .

VIP Task Manager is client-server software for to do list definition in professional teams, enabling printing to do list quotes when necessary. This effective tool ensures real time controlling of performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.

To give complete to do list definition, do the following:

start your task management software
plan your meetings, tasks and appointments
set target dates, priorities , reminders, comments etc

Customer care guide � Treating your customers in the best way

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Most customer care guides prove that existing customers are the most important assets of business. The primary rule you should remember when creating customer care policies and treating your customers is about the ways and methods you use to manage relationships with your customers. Expectations of your customers need to be considered, and mechanisms of customer care management need to be implemented to meet all of your customer care goals .

The following customer care guidelines can be considered to obtain more opportunities for increasing sales and earning a higher degree of customer trust:

Providing a free helpline to answer questions of your customers by phone
Creating FAQ (frequently asked questions) at your web-site
Giving free products that help your customers make the most of their purchases
Sending e-mail and post reminders when services or check-ups are due
Offering volume discounts to existing customers on further purchases

Your customer care employees will not carry out their duties effectively if no task management software is implemented. The idea of such software is to help groups of employees to better understand customer care definition and achieve custom care excellence. VIP Task Manager can be used in your Sales department to establish and manage customer care workflows. The software allows organizing workday, planning daily tasks, scheduling appointments and creating agendas.

Action plan:

Run VIP Task Manager and create a new database for your Sales department.
Enter the database and go to Resource List view to create user accounts for each sales staff member.
Go to Task List view to create to-do lists and make assignments.
Use Scheduler view to create work calendars and job schedules.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Action planning guide � Using software to plan actions and manage employees

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Many action planning tips address one important question: How actions can be planned? If you try to do something, for example to perform a task, you are likely to see that you cannot proceed with performing if no action plan has been developed. Doing daily tasks without an action plan is like building a house without a blueprint � the outcome will be unlikely to achieve the original goal in a timely manner. Doing your tasks efficiently requires careful planning of your action planning model in the context of hours and energy invested in this model. Moreover, when you want to engage a number of staff members in performing daily tasks, the question of proper action planning may turn into a real challenge, and you will need to develop a clear action planning guide . Your efforts to develop such a guide and supervise tasks of your employees can be managed by means of action planning software, such as VIP Task Manager.

VIP Task Manager allows you to understand action planning definition and develop action planning models in the format of checklists, action plans, or task templates. The software supports group collaboration and provides your employees with document management and task sharing solutions.

Action plan

Launch VIP Task Manager, log in your database and go to Task List view. This view allows you to create todo lists, prioritize tasks, and schedule actions. Task List is convenient to create plain todo lists.
Go to Task Tree view to plan actions and projects. This view allows you to create hierarchical todo lists and project trees. Task Tree is convenient to plan actions and action planning models in the format of checklists and templates.
Use Calendar view to create event schedules and task calendars.
Use Resource List view to add new users in your database.

Project management office � Managing and executing projects

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Project management office definition:

Project management office(PMO) is a functional department, a group of people, or an organization that defines project requirements, standards and policies and undertakes activities generally related to project management. Project management office mission is to standardize and introduce methods, tools and techniques of project execution.

Project management software allows setting, describing and assigning project management office roles and responsibilities to project participants. VIP Task Manager is an example of project management software. You can use this program to make project management office descriptions, assignments and schedules. You can develop specific project management office models to manage project documentation, activities and metrics.

To manage your tasks you need to do the following:

Run VIP Task Manager and go to Task Tree view to add tasks in your project.
Go to Resource List view to create user accounts for members of your project office.
Use Permissions Panel to allow project participants to access project tasks and schedules.
Use Calendar view to schedule project tasks and events that are defined in your project management office methodology .
Use Charts Panel to get a graph view of your project activities.
Use Reports Builder to make reports that help you keep progress of your project management office goals on track.

Project prioritization � The best use of time and resources

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Determining and setting priorities for project tasks are two basic skills that any project manager needs to have to achieve the best results in managing and coordinating project activities. Project prioritization is particularly important when time required for project completion is limited but demands are seemingly unlimited. The best project prioritization methodologies point at the necessity to spend available project time wisely by getting rid of less important tasks that can be done later.

If you learn project prioritization best practices , you will see that "de-prioritized" tasks always bring order to chaos, massively increase stress, and cause productivity losses. The best practices will allow you to understand project priority definition and prioritize your tasks considering time and cost constraints. You will be able to determine project priority codes ,useproject prioritization matrix templates , and estimate the potential probability of success. And VIP Task Manager is very helpful for achieving the best project prioritization practices.

VIP Task Manager allows setting priorities for project tasks taking into account such characteristics as task due date, cost, assignment, and duration. VIP Task Manager features Task Tree view which helps develop task checklists and project priority evaluation form s . You can share your checklists, templates and forms between team members of your project.

Action plan:

Access your database and go to Task Tree view. Use categories and sub-categories to develop a tree-like structure for your project.
In Task Tree view you can create templates and checklists and then duplicate them.
You can use 6 default priorities to rank your tasks.
You can customize task workflows by using Workflow Editor.

Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Task driver system for planning and managing tasks

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0300

Task driver can be a software system that helps schedule, manage and report tasks and projects. Task driver system lets define a set of tasks required for executing projects and managing scheduling considerations for tasks. Based on task driven analysis, such a system creates schedules for project tasks to satisfy scheduling considerations. It allows identifying and managing factors that contribute to better task scheduling.

Task driver systems are widely used today. For example, MS Project task drivers allow creating work breakdown structures, schedules and charts that help plan tasks and project activities. The idea of task driven development and scheduling is also implemented in VIP Task Manager

VIP Task Manager offers powerful tools for driving tasks and creating unique task driven personality for each user. The software solution features Task List view that helps design to-do lists and tasks. You can use the software to create a single work environment in which your employees can collaborate with each other in real time. VIP Task Manager lets store all information about tasks in a centralized, task driven database.

To create workflow patterns you need to do the following:

Go to Task List view to create and edit tasks.
Use priorities and due dates to plan tasks.
Go to Charts Panel to build task driven diagrams .
Use Permissions Panel to allow or deny users to create, edit, and delete tasks.

Event planning guide � Using online resources and software solution to plan and manage events

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0300

For event coordinators and event managers it would be great if they could use online event planning tips and tutorials to organize and manage events better. Today Internet gives event organizers dozens of opportunities for learning new ideas, techniques and trends by using personal computers and laptops. You can use a web browser to look through online event planning tutorials and find software solutions that help implement multiple event planning tips and ideas. No matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced event planer, such online resources will let you get a clear understanding of event planning definition and find the best time management techniques to schedule and conduct events.

This website is a wonderful source of event planning guidelines and information about event organization and task management. The website gives you the following event planning definition : Event planning is a process of s cheduling, budgeting, conducting and coordinating events, as well as getting necessary permits.

The website suggests using VIP Task Manager to plan events, tasks and collaborative efforts. VIP Task Manager is a task management solution designed to help managers and employees collaborate with each other, exchange information and perform tasks. The software is a great electronic assistant that lets you achieve your event planning goals .

Action plan:

Use Task List view of VIP Task Manager to create and plan your to-do lists, event lists and tasks.
Use Task Tree view to build project trees and hierarchical event lists.
Use Scheduler view to create event timelines and task calendars.
Use Task Notes to make event planning descriptions .

Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Time quadrants � Setting priorities for your tasks

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0200

There are people who know some important things about time management, so they can do more tasks and get higher efficiency than others. One of the things that these people know concerns time quadrature . There is a unique time management method that lets organize working hours efficiently by using time quadrants. A time quadrant is one of the four parts of the time quadrant matrix that allows dividing all tasks you have into the four respective categories and setting task priorities considering time constraints. These categories are:

Quadrant 1 includes both urgent and important tasks that should be accomplished first of all.
Quadrant 2 includes important but not urgent tasks which you can do without looking at urgency but considering importance.
Quadrant 3 also includes important but not urgent tasks but the difference is that in this quadrant category you should place tasks for which are not responsible but you have a concern or interest about these tasks.
Quadrant 4 includes both not urgent and not important tasks which you can do after all the other tasks.

VIP Task Manager helps you set priorities for you tasks and define to which of the 4 time quadrants your tasks belong. The software allows using priorities to plan tasks and schedule jobs. It supports user collaboration and data exchange.

Action Plan:

Run VIP Task Manager
In Task Tree view, create four task groups which correspond to the 4 time quadrants .
Select tasks you need to prioritize and place each of the tasks to the respective group.
Use 6 priorities available in VIP Task Manager to get better task planning.
Go to Calendar view to schedule tasks and design timelines.

Action plan:

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

How to make a progress report?

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0200

�How to make a progress report�? � This is one of the most complicated questions that project managers face during and at the end of their projects. Also project managers often try to understand another question: �progress report vs status report�. If you are a project manager, probably you have ever tried to find answers for these questions. The progress report guidelines given in this article will help you understand progress report definition and find software to build reports and monitor project progress.

A project report is a documented statement of progress and status of activities occurred within a project. The progress report purpose is to allow interested and concerned persons to monitor current progress of a project and estimate time and resources needed to accomplish the project.

The following project report guidelines can be used to create a report:

Goals and objectives: list your specific goals and objectives and indicate what steps have been taken to accomplish these goals and objectives.
Project work description: specify tasks and jobs that have been done to fulfill your project. Also add deadlines.
Deliverables: create a list of deliverables produced during the project.
Personal reflection: include a few words in your report to give some suggestions and describe any interesting things occurred throughout the project.

VIP Task Manager is a software solution that allows creating project reports and reviewing current progress of your projects. The software features Report Builder that lets make reports in both text and HTML format. You can use Filter Bar of the software to monitor and track incomplete tasks of your projects and supervise project resources.

Action Plan:

Launch VIP Task Manager
Go to Task Tree view and use Report Builder to make HTML or text reports. Your reports can be printed out and used for progress report presentation purposes .
Use Calendar view to track project timelines and review project schedules.
Use Permissions Panel to define user permissions to tasks listed in your project.

Task test practice � Using task management software to track and report task test results

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Testing is a critical process in development of everything that has a value. For example, when developers create a software product, they need to test this product prior to final release to ensure the product has no bugs and its functionality meets initial requirements and expectations stated by customers. To run and control the testing process, task management software can be used. Such software allows managing task test practice, which means creating task testing lists, todo lists and action plans to show employees what jobs they need to do for testing a product.

Task management software will help keep task testing practice on track, and each employee involved in task testing can create and submit reports that show task test results. You can manage task testing practice in your company by using VIP Task Manager, a collaborative software solution. VIP Task Manager will help you create, share and track task testing lists and todo lists. The software can be used to manage projects and workflows.

Action plan:

Start VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
Use Task Tree view to create hieratical tasktesting lists and project trees.
Use Task List view to track and monitor tasks.
Use task reports (in HTML format) to get task test results in a brief and convenient view.

When you are delegated a task, think if you are able to accomplish it

Task vs. activity - Using task management software to organize your tasks and activities

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0200

In our everyday life we often do not think about the distinction " activity vs. task ". We usually consider both words as equivalents, so it seems there is no need to make the distinction " task vs. activity " . However, when you face it out of your usual life, you should carefully refer to these words. In terms of project management, a task is a scheduled element of work to be performed during the course of a project. An activity usually means a set of tasks to be performed during the course of a project.

Theoretically, the term "task activity" may exist, and we can use it to describe what tasks we want to do to undertake the activity we need. In real practice, an activity can be divided into several tasks. For example, the activity "plan a meeting" is composed in the following tasks: "make the meeting schedule", "decide on meeting participants", "choose place and time" and "notify participants of the meeting date".

VIP Task Manager will help you distinguish your activities from your tasks. This software allows creating task groups which will be your activities and adding tasks to your groups. VIP Task Manager has powerful task management functionality that lets you plan, schedule, prioritize, share, and report task activities.

Action plan

Start VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
Use Task Tree view to categorize your activities and create groups. Add tasks to your groups.
Use Task List view to perform tasks. Filter Bar will help you track and monitor tasks.

Groupware definition and groupware example

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Groupware definition: groupware is a specialized workgroup software application that uses various technologies and platforms (such as web-based technology and client-server platform) to allow users to collaborate, exchange information, discuss ideas, make group decisions, and coordinate activities. Usually an intuitive groupware design and user-friendly interface (GUI) allow team members to use groupware defined tools to access one and the same pool of data over local or wide-area network. Groupware also refers to collaborative tools, and it is widely used to share information throughout an entire organization. Almost any groupware case study or groupware consulting example shows that collaborative software solutions are necessary for establishing continuous workflows and processes in various departments and companies.

Groupware example: VIP Task Manager is collaborative workgroup software that uses a client-server platform. The groupware is designed to help employees create, manage, track and report tasks and assignments within projects and workflows.

Run VIP Task Manager. Use Database Wizard to connect to one of your databases. Also you can use Database Manager to register, edit or delete your databases.
When the groupware is launched, go to Task Tree view to create hierarchies of projects and todo lists. Also go to Task List view to manage tasks and assignments.
Use Calendar view to schedule tasks and create assignment calendars.
Use Resource List view to add users to your database.

Task force � Definition, guidelines and software

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0200

What is a task force?
A task force is a number of employees unified into a workgroup and assigned to performing work on a temporary basis to achieve specific and clearly defined goals. For example, a project task force is group of project resources unified into a project team and responsible for performing project assignments to produce a product or provide a service.

Task force guidelines
The following task force tips and guidelines are basic:

Controlling: create a work environment which supports your supervisory incentives to control and audit tasks and assignments of employees.
Encouraging: give employees encouragement for the work done, so they will get powerful incentives for improvement.
Improving: take steps to improve skills and abilities of employees.

Task force software solution
VIP Task Manager offers powerful tools for managing tasks and employees. The software allows using client-server technologies to manage tasks, design schedules, initiate workflows, run projects and create reports.

Action plan:

Run VIP Task Manager and connect to one of your databases.
Go to Resource List view to add users to the database.
Use Task List view to make assignments and create tasks.
Use Task Tree view to organize tasks into todo lists.
Use Calendar view to plan and schedule tasks.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Task efficiency and task self-efficacy can be enhanced by using task management software

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Many managers who need to estimate efficiency and effectiveness of jobs and employees often feel confused trying to understand task efficiency and task self-efficacy. Here are definitions for these terms:

Task efficiency is a performance indicator that shows a ration between planned and actual values relative to a certain task or job.
Task self-efficacy is a projection of a person's belief, readiness and abilities to produce a definite level of performance or achieve certain goals. Task self-efficacy scale will depend on the person's abilities and readiness to do some task or job.

The definitions show that two terms are not the same. At the same time, they have some similarities. Both task efficiency and task self-efficacy refers to a measurable outcome which can be a product or service. In order to improve your task self-efficacy and increase task efficiency of your employees, a task management program is required.

VIP Task Manager is an example of task management software that you can use to manage task efficiency and task self-efficacy. The software allows creating and managing tasks and to-do lists. Custom Fields functionality of VIP Task Manager will let you design specific fields in task lists to perform calculations and create performance indicators, including task efficiency and task specific self-efficacy.

Action plan:

Run VIP Task Manager
Go to 'Tools' – 'Custom Fields' to define custom fields and specify formulas.
Custom Fields can be applied to both tasks and groups.
You can use column layouts and filters to get the best view of your task lists.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Action plan guide � tool to define, manage and follow guidelines and directives

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Action plan guide is specifically created charter that supports project with providing guidelines and comments on action plan performance. Action plan guide is used to communicate clearer and more specific action plan definition to the team, and this document contains action plan guidelines in a form of advices, instructions and directives, which can help performers and supervisors in doing their tasks and achieving action plan goals. Composing action plan guide is a free-of-rules process, there are no strict templates – it can be just a simple supporting document where some wishes of project stakeholders are recorded, or it can be a detailed “bible” where all tasks are described and specified with multiple action plan definitions, comments, directives and guidelines. To provide support to your project team you can use action plan guide software:

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that can be used as action plan guide for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, realize action plan advantages, control costs and team efficiency.
VIP Team To Do List is action plan guide designed to manage to-do lists in small projects and send them via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use tool you can exchange checklist updates through e-mail communication.
To set action plan goals and tasks for your project do the following:

start your action plan guide tool
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set action plan goals
add action plan guidelines to Notes or Comments
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Client server program - client server overview and specific examples

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Today, even people who are not experts in computer technologies (but have to use computers a lot) often hear the term client server program. It is useful for everyone to know what is it and how does client server work. Client server definition is quite simple – this is architecture of software, meaning that program consists of two collaborating components – client application (there can be a lot of them) and the server application. The clients (installed on allocated computers connected into one network) send requests to the server; the server processes the requests and returns the results to the appropriate client – this is how client server works. These client server principles allow client server program, while being allocated among multiple computers, to work as one system where client applications keep connection to the server, forming up shared client server environment where users can interact in real-time regime. After such a brief client server overview let’s delve into review of specific client server program to understand how client server principles are applied in practice:
VIP Task Manager is client-server software that allows you to plan and schedule tasks and appointments through using different adjustable modes (Task Tree, Task list and Calendar interface modes) along with giving you instruments to share these tasks. This effective tool ensures real time controlling of performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.
To use client server environment in daily practice – do the following:

start your client server program
create accounts for your teammates, so they can access the software
plan meetings, tasks and appointments for you and your team
set priorities and assign tasks to performers
let them see and report their tasks in real-time

To do list forms � the most common forms and useful tools

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

There are different to do list forms that can be used to manage our daily chores and activities. One of the most widespread to do list forms are to do list cards that basically are blank paper cards with empty lines, or paper tables that can be filled with records which describe things to do (to do list stationary). Also to do list forms include to do list sticky notes that can be posted on your fridge, your room door, display, desk etc. The idea of such to do list sticky cards is that you can see them at the places which you visit frequently and cannot avoid – for example when you get up in the morning you cannot avoid your fridge, so to do list cards posted on your fridge door will attract your attention informing you about planned events and appointments. To do list forms include computer-based tools – software products that work like electronic to do list book installed on your computer, automatically reminding you about upcoming events etc. Unlike some to do list stationary, software provides you with high flexibility in setting and viewing your agenda.
Examples of software with different to do list forms:
VIP Task Manager is client-server software that allows you to plan and schedule tasks and appointments through using different adjustable to do list forms (Task Tree, Task list and Calendar interface modes) along with giving you instruments to share these tasks. This effective tool ensures real time controlling of performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.
VIP Organizer works as individual to do list book that allows you to get a dynamic list of your appointments and tasks to set their categories, priorities, due dates, notes and to manage checklists.
To ensure using different to do list forms – do the following:

start your task management software
plan your meetings, tasks and appointments
set target dates, priorities, reminders etc

Sorted list � simple tools to streamline your work and time organization

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Creating of a sorted list of tasks is one of the main ways to represent our agenda in regard to values of certain task attributes. For example, to sort list by priority means to set out your tasks in priority ascending or descending order. After you finish sorting list of tasks, if your sorted list is arranged in priority-ascending way – you will see tasks with the highest priority in the top side of your list, so you will be informed what tasks are really important at the moment and you will be able to concentrate all your efforts on their completion. Priority of tasks is not the only task attribute which can be used for sorting list, also you may need to sort list by status of tasks, so you can see still uncompleted tasks at the top of your list. How to sort list of your tasks? The best way, of course is to use special to-do list software that allows you to build dynamic, versatile to-do lists.

VIP Task Manager is client-server software that allows you to plan and schedule detailed tasks and appointments through using different adjustable interface modes as well as gives you instruments to share sorted lists of tasks. This effective tool ensures real time controlling of performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.

VIP Organizer is individual software that allows you to get a dynamic sorted list with your appointments, to set their categories, priorities and to manage checklists.

To ensure sorting list of your tasks you need to do the following:

start your task management software
plan your meetings, tasks and appointments
set target dates, priorities etc
select task attribute which you would like to sort list by

Project implementation guide � navigational tool to deploy your project

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Project implementation guide is a tool that helps you to navigate through the process of project deployment in real life environment. Project implementation definition: project implementation is deployment of a project over existing infrastructure and organization, so it requires accurate project implementation approach that allows harmonizing of new tasks with already running tasks and communicating new tasks to a team. Project implementation techniques stand for composing special plan that ensures framework to follow in actions and decisions. The essence of any project implementation methodology is to get a clear picture of how project should be deployed, harmlessly for already running projects and tasks. There are project management software products that can be called project implementation guides.

VIP Task Manager is project implementation guide that can be used for creating project implementation plan as a framework to follow, for scheduling and managing project implementation processes divided into tasks, registering members of project team to assign to them all duties and responsibilities described with all necessary details and much more. This project implementation guide is a proper instrument to communicate project tasks to team as it uses client-server technology to create virtual collaborative environment over your corporate LAN where tasks as well as project evolution can be shared among multiple team members.

To plan and introduce project implementation methodology do the following:

start your task management software
use Task Tree to break-down your project into doable activities
plan measurements, task attributes, explain project goals
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performers in real time

Task technology � definitions, methods and tools

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Task technology is a set of consistent methods and instruments which together form up certain mechanism for successful performing of tasks. There are different task technologies for both group and individual approaches, that are intended to bring facilitation and optimization into task initialization, preparing, statement, starting, executing, managing, controlling and finishing. Task technology may outline methods of task description, setting, planning, responsibilities assignment, data collection, output and success measuring etc. The more typical is task – the higher is routineness of task technology, so it is more familiar, better tested, optimized and as result – more effective in use. Today, the indispensable part of any task tech is computer-based instruments which suitability can be valuated according to “Task-Technology fit” theory which provides a measure for evaluating positive impact of IT on individual performance. The measure of task technology fit consists of 8 factors: quality, locatability, authorization, compatibility, ease of use/training, production timeliness, systems reliability, and relationship with users. Each factor is measured using between two and ten questions with responses on a seven point scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that can be used for streamlining your task technology to get more productivity and output from your employees by implementing better time management. This client-server program facilitates planning and controlling projects through using different adjustable modes (calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, get faster data collection, control costs and team efficiency.

To implement streamlined task technology in your project do the following:

start your task technologytool
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set goals
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Task at hand � synonyms, definitions, meaning and ways to manage

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Sometimes, when dealing with work management practice, we may face quite unofficial term – "task at hand". Task at hand synonym is "task-in-progress" or "work-in-progress", but this doesn't completely explain task at hand meaning. Simple task at hand definition: task that you are currently working at, task that is on the top of importance and urgency for you because of its current incompleteness. Usually task at hand means pending task that doesn't enable you to fully concentrate your attention at other activities, because urgency and uncompleted status of "task at hand" may suppress and disturb you. Actually task at hand idiom speaks for itself – your hands have their limits for holding things – you cannot take too much tasks, because the more tasks at hand you have – the less is your effectiveness in processing new workloads. There is software designed to facilitate your task management approaches and to streamline working processes to avoid overloading with tasks and excessive commitments.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that can help you and your teammates to focus on tasks at hand. This software facilitates work planning and controlling through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, control tasks at hand and help in calculating costs and team efficiency.

To set and monitor task at hand – do the following:

start your task at hand management software
use Task Tree to break-down your project into doable activities
plan to-do lists
plan due dates, costs, and assign tasks to performers
set priorities to allow them to focus on task at hand
control performance

Business startup guide � try software designed to help in taking business actions and organizing workflow

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Starting a business is quite difficult task, and this process can be managed with a help of business startup guide which contains information and step-by-step plan necessary for success. If you want to start your own business, and you want to see it living and growing – you should assure that it is well-supported by financial and intangible means. Under intangible means we imply methodic business startup help like business startup ideas which can be realized trough practical steps, business startup success stories to illustrate the path leading to the bright future, business startup advice like professional consultation on optimal organization of business processes, smart investing into real assets and personnel etc. There are a lot of business startup guides provided by government and franchisers, but the most of them should be adopted for specificity of each particular case. There is software that can be used for getting help in realizing business startup tips and actions given in business startup guides and business startup articles.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that can be used as business startup guide in order to facilitate planning and controlling projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, getting business startup help through controlling costs and team efficiency.
VIP Team To Do List is a tool designed to manage business startup ideasand tasks through composingto-do lists and sending them via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use tool you can control project progression through exchanging updates through e-mail communication.
To use software as business startup guide for your project – do the following:

start your business startup guide tool
use Task Tree to break-down your project into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set business plan goals
add business startup tips to Notes or Comments
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

Project work guidelines � software for providing help to your project team

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Project work guidelines are required for better work performance as they help to orient in workflow and make appropriate decisions, in other words project work guidelines are used to give more specific project work definition on the path towards obtaining required outputs. Project work guidelines can be included into project work statement to get clear and complete vision of project work scope, and to provide project work help to everyone who is involved into this project. Project work guidelines can be dedicated to every particular area of project work jobs and can be recorded into special charter in quite detailed manner to ensure proper level of performance that guarantees observing project work scope. Project work definition can be provided through appropriate work directives, comments and instructions. In order to determinate and communicate clear project work presentation to workgroup members you can use special software for setting project work guidelines:

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that can be used for setting project work guidelines in order to facilitate planning and controlling projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, get better project work help, control costs and team efficiency.
VIP Team To Do List is a tool designed to manage project work guidelines,to-do lists in small projects and send them via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use tool you can control project work jobs through exchanging checklist updates through e-mail communication.
To set project work guidelines and tasks for your project do the following:

start your project work statement tool
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan to-do lists and set action plan goals
add project work definition to Notes or Comments
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control performance parameters

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Event scheduling process � Three factors to be considered to succeed in event scheduling

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Event scheduling is a process of creating schedules for tasks and allocating available working time to accomplish tasks. Event scheduling process is highly important for proper planning and performing tasks. Timely completion of tasks will significantly depend on accuracy and availability of job calendars and schedules. Success of the process depends upon three main factors:

Specific event scheduling algorithms used to determine the next job (task) to be scheduled.
Descriptions of jobs to be scheduled.
Time slice given to plan jobs and design event schedule examples.

To run and manage event scheduling process, you can use VIP Task Manager. Calendar view of this task management software allows displaying tasks in daily/weekly/monthly view and filtering large task lists. By using the software, you can design to-do lists, task templates and job schedules. For more comfortable and pleasant event scheduling, you can group tasks by resources and also create column layouts.

Action plan:

Run VIP Task Manager and go to Calendar view.
Use drag and drop functionality to schedule tasks.
Switch between daily view and monthly view to plan short-term and long term tasks.
Use Filter Bar to display only needed tasks on your calendar.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Day planner tips � Using software for time management that helps accomplish daily tasks always on schedule

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Using day planner software means you are able to cope with everyday challenges and accomplish your daily routine timely. Such software allows setting and meeting your day planner targets and goals. To understand how to use a day planner, the following day planner tips are listed:

Use day planner software as a part of your daily routine. Keep it always at hand.
Set due dates for your daily assignments as soon as you get them.
Put everything (from simple tasks to complex projects and large to-do lists) in your planner.
Use priorities to get focused on important and urgent tasks.
Keep incomplete tasks on track.

The listed day planner ideas are basic and can be used to manage daily tasks and duties. Various time management methods offer to use the same or similar ideas to do assignments on schedule.

VIP Task Manager is a good time management day planner solution that provides a hierarchical project/task outline that allows you to break down large to-do items and projects into smaller steps and action lists.

Action plan:

Run VIP Task Manager, create a new database and go to Task List view to create to-do lists and perform tasks.
Use Task Tree view to create and manage projects and assignments.
Use Scheduler view to display tasks in daily/weekly/monthly view.
If you need to manage teamwork and group assignments, you can use Resource List view to add users to the database.
Each user will have personal access to the database. The access is based on user permissions to tasks and task groups.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Task leader should be well organized and skilled to manage teamwork and supervise tasks

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Task leader (TL) is a person who is in a position of authority over a project group and who is responsible for supervising groupwork and reporting to senior manager. The given task leader definition can be also applied to team leaders which in fact have the same duties as task leaders do. The role of task leader requires good organizational and communication skills. Various examples of task leadership prove that an adequate task leadership psychology should be based on excellent professional and technical competence of task leader. Otherwise, task leader doesn’t have enough skills and abilities to manage teamwork, so he is likely to create a frustrating work environment.

Task leaders often use task management software to manage teamwork and supervise tasks. VIP Task Manager has a complete set of task management tools and organizer facilities to help manage teamwork and take task leadership role in groups. The software offers flexibility to supervise tasks and manage employees allowing applying specific task leadership styles and methods.

Action plan

Start VIP Task Manager.
Go to Resource List view to add new resources.
Use Permissions Panel and Roles Panel to restrict user access to tasks.
Use Watch List to assign supervisors (task leaders) to tasks.
Adjust notifications to be sent to you and task leaders.

Multi users capability of task management software � Supporting collaboration between several users

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

What is multi user?
Multi user definition refers to computer systems, and in fact it means a capability of software that supports two or more simultaneous users. Many software solutions today include multi user maintenance functionality, especially those solutions which are used for managing projects, teamwork and group tasks. Advanced editions of multi user software allow activating multi user screens to share data, as well as using multi user messengers to communicate with several users at a time.

What is an example of multi user software?
There are dozens of software examples that support multi users functionality. In the field of task/project management, a great example of multiuser software is VIP Task Manager . This software uses a client-server platform to allow several users to access common databases through local area network or/and Internet. VIP Task Manager supports real time collaboration between several users. Comments Panel of the software can be used like a multi user chat in which users can discuss tasks and send feedback.

Action list:

Run VIP Task Manager and create a new database in which you will keep tasks and all associated information (like documents, pictures, and other files).
VIP Task Manager allows accessing the database through both LAN and Internet.
Use Task List view to create tasks. Use Task Tree view to create hierarchies of tasks.
Use Comments Panel to discuss and comment tasks. Notes Panel can be used to specify and describe tasks.
Use Resource List view to add users to the database. VIP Task Manager allows adding any number of users, so multi user dimension of this software is unlimited.

Procrastination definition and ways to overcome this problem

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

What is procrastination? According to procrastination definition – it is behavior characterized by putting off, delaying or defering a task to a later time. According to the most common definition of procrastination – this postponing, delaying or putting off is usually caused by habitual carelessness or laziness. In practice, to define procrastination reasons in each particular case you need to investigate situation carefully. Really, deferment of actions or tasks to a later time can be caused by a great number or reasons, for example it can be caused by force majeur conditions, or by unclear or unfeasible requirements. Procrastination definition, in different cases, may have different peculiarities. To help procrastination investigation you need to get all possible information – who is a procrastinator, how he/she explains this procrastination, what is procrastination consequence, check if requirements were fair and if performer's skills were appropriate. In order to get a background for specific procrastination definition you need to detect fact of procrastination, find its reasons and prevent procrastination in future.

VIP Task Manager is teamwork tool that allows you to plan detailed tasks in different adjustable modes (timeline, day, month, week, year view, to-do list) and to control performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency. With a help of this groupware you and your teammates can detect and prevent procrastination of project activities with a help of different anti-procrastinating features.

VIP Organizer is individual simple software that allows you to list your tasks in category- and time-specific manner, set priorities and manage checklists. With a help of this product you can prevent procrastination with a help of due date reminders.

To help procrastination preventing do the following:

Action plan

start your task management software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan target dates
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
set reminders, set anti-procrastination color-coding and control if performers meet due dates

Meeting agenda guide � software to orient and navigate within your agenda plan

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Meeting agenda guide is software that provides functions to help you with navigation among agenda of your meetings, tasks and other considerable appointments. This kind of software allows you to achieve your meeting agenda definition, clearness and representativeness. Meeting agenda guide is a tool which allows you to follow the main meeting agenda tips:

To ensure your meeting agenda definition (consistency, integrity, clearness)
To have your agenda always in sight
To have possibilities to know when you have spare time

These meeting agenda guidelines assure your ability to be flexible and effective with your time planning. Meeting agenda guide is computer-based software that allows you to be punctual with your time and do not miss any commitments.

VIP Task Manager is teamwork meeting agenda guide that allows you to plan detailed tasks and appointments through different adjustable modes (timeline, task tree, calendar, to-do list) to ensure meeting agenda definition and to control performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.

VIP Organizer is individual simple meeting agenda guide that allows you to list your appointments and tasks in category- and time-specific manner, set priorities and manage checklists.

To ensure your meeting agenda definition you need to do the following:

start your task management software
create different categories of your meetings and appointments
plan target dates
set meeting reminders

Home maintenance guide � Organizing home activities by using task management software

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Maintaining your home on a regular basis and following good home maintenance tips are the best ways to protect investments (like time and money) in your home. Home maintenance can cover a wide range of activities. Smart homeowners know that there are house maintenance tips that teach to use task management software to organize home activities into the following tasks:

Interior or exterior tasks.
Tasks to maintain house systems (heating & cooling, electrical, plumbing etc.).
Regular tasks (daily, monthly, seasonal and annual tasks).

Task management software allows classifying home activities into categories of tasks. You can better plan todo lists, create home maintenance schedules, and follow the best home maintenance advice. VIP Task Manager is an example of task management software you can use to implement house maintenance guide lines and perform maintenance activities.

This software solution helps take care of home inventories and house cleaning chores as it allows creating and tracking to-do lists in which you plan tasks to fill up inventories and schedule house cleaning next week or month. VIP Task Manager is a client-server program, so it keeps all information about your house in a single location which serves like a home maintenance help database.

Action plan:

Run VIP Task Manager and create a database for your house activities.
Use Task List view to plan to-do lists and tasks to maintain your house in good order.
Use Task Tree view to create a categorized list of house inventories. This view can also help you follow household maintenance tips to create task categories for home activities.
Use Scheduler view to design home maintenance schedules and calendars.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Staff management tips which you can follow to get your employees task oriented

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Staff management is a set of activities undertaken by managers to organize, control and support employees in an organization for the purpose of creating a work environment in which employees are engaged, happy and functioning. One important thing that follows this staff management definition is to keep employees always satisfied and supported. While it may sometimes seem near impossible to keep your entire staff content, it really becomes a simple matter if you start following several simple staff management tips, including the given below:

Treat frustration among your staff, so you will create a positive and attractive image about yourself, your methods of staff management and motivation, and your organization as a whole.
Bring your employees together in a social sense, so you will give them chances to know each other better and to create strong social communication that contributes to productivity and engagement.
Consider open/confidential feedback from employees as an opportunity to see staff management issues and generate staff management advice.

To follow these staff management tips, you need to keep track of tasks and jobs assigned to employees so that you will see staff management issues (like loss of productivity, procrastination, etc.) and take actions to resolve them. VIP Task Manager will help you track jobs and tasks assigned to employees. It's a task management software solution that supports multi-user communication and feedback in real time.

Action plan

Use VIP Task Manager to create a single database in which you will keep tasks and jobs assigned to employees and information concerning documents, files, etc.
Task List view of the software will help you create to-do lists and assign tasks to employees.
Use Scheduler to plan tasks, create schedules and outline calendars.
Comments Panel will let your employees comment tasks, so they can use this panel to leave feedback on tasks and communicate with each other.

Project quality review � document that defines and introduces project quality

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Project quality review is a brief project quality statement that outlines the main responsibilities and goals of project quality management. Project quality definitionand project quality goals are oriented to ensuring that all project activities necessary to design, plan and implement a project are effective with respect to the purposes, objectives and project performance. Project quality review is important for all stakeholders of the project as far as it outlines project quality context and makes clear what priorities are set in the area of quality management and what ways are selected to bring project to achievement of these goals. As a result of studying project quality review all project participants get consistent and integral vision of project quality goals. There are software products that can be used in project quality management, for example for preparing project quality reviewand communicating it to team members.

VIP Task Manager is teamwork tool that allows you to plan detailed tasks in different adjustable modes (timeline, day, month, week, year view, to-do list) and to control performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency. With a help of this groupware, you can manage project quality definition – implement Quality Events (peer reviews, checklist execution) by using various Quality Materials (templates, standards, checklists). Through the means of VIP Task Manager, quality managers can create and share project quality review and checklists, assign them to project participants and control performance, collaborate with project management and plan different project quality arrangements.

To plan and introduce project quality statement do the following:

Action plan:

start your task management software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan quality measurements with a help of task attributes, explain project quality goalsin Notes section or through attachment of documents
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Task performance � Measuring and analyzing tasks and jobs of employees to get better task performance behaviors

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Task performance definition: Task performance is a goal-oriented assessment practice that includes activities to develop task performance measures and apply specific criteria to tasks and jobs of employees. Such a practice is usually organized and supported by task performance group which consists of people responsible for analyzing performance criteria, facilitating effective management of collaborative efforts, and contributing to faster job completion, fewer errors, better productivity and consistency of communication between groups of employees.

If you want your employees to do tasks and jobs with better results, you will need to use task management solutions that support features to measure and analyze task performance.VIP Task Manager is task management shareware that offers powerful Custom Fields functionality to measure and analyze task performance behaviors within a team environment. The shareware solution allows creating specific task performance measures and key performance indicators to be applied to tasks and jobs assigned to employees and team members. You can try VIP Task Manager for free during 30 days to find out how it can contribute to better organization of your employees and building of project teams.

Action plan

VIP Task Manager lets keep tasks in common databases. Run the software to create a single database for all tasks and jobs of your employees.
Go to 'Tools'–'Custom Fields' to create task performance measures and key performance indicators. Custom Fields functionality allows creating and using specific formulas to measure task performance behaviors.
Use Roles Panel and Permissions Panel to create task performance groups that take care of timely completion of tasks and jobs.
Use Task List view to create, manage and track to-do lists, job lists and tasks assigned to employees.
Use Charts Panel to get a visual view of tasks.

Task assignments can be made easier

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Making task assignments can be a challenge. When managers try to assign tasks to employees, they often face task assignment problems which are difficult to resolve. To make sure that every task is assigned to and completed by someone, managers will need to apply task assignment approaches by using task management software. Task assignment approach is a series of actions to make optimal task assignments taking into account current workload and minimizing time of task completion. Task management software gives tools that help use various task assignment algorithms and build task assignment matrix showing different task priorities, roles and responsibilities of project resources.

VIP Task Manager is task management software that has Resource Assignment panel, Permissions panel and Roles panel to link activities to resources. You can use the panels to place a check mark under each resource name for a particular task, define permissions level to tasks, and indicate precisely which role any given resource is assigned to. The software offers a convenient and easy-to-use mechanism to make multiple assignments and manage teamwork.

Action plan

Go to Resource List view, find there Roles panel and create roles for resources.
Go to Task Tree view and create task hierarchies for your project. Use Permissions panel to set task permissions for resources.
Go to Task List view and make task assignments by using Resource Assignment panel.

Task dimensions and task statements: Analyzing tasks in the best way

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Methods of task analysis describe tasks as basic, definable, measurable and communicable units of work. Tasks are defined by two characteristics: task dimension and task statement. These two characteristics allow making considered interpretations of actions made by employees. Examples of task dimensions and task statements provide a clear and complete picture of what is being done, how it is being done and why it is being done.

Task statement definition: task statement is considered as the most important element of task analysis process that gives a standardized format to describe actions of an employee. Tasks can be expressed in the format of task statements.

Task dimension definition: task dimension is a set of measures that help estimate performance of employees and do tasks according to schedule. Tasks can be measured in the format of task dimension. Use of task measures significantly contributes to completion of specific work objectives.

To begin with analyzing tasks, you need to consider the mentioned characteristics. Such task management software as VIP Task Manager will help write down task statements and define task dimensions to analyze tasks. The software has Custom Fields functionality to describe and measure tasks. You can specify tasks by notes and comments and create key performance measures.

Action plan:

Run VIP Task Manager and create a new database in which you will keep tasks and all associated information.
To write down task statements, open a task, select Notes Tab or Comments Tab and leave some information in the text fields. You can also use Notes Panel and Comments Panel to describe tasks directly from Task List view or Task Tree view of the software.
To create task dimension, use Custom Fields. This functionality allows setting and applying formulas to task fields to perform calculations in task lists. You can use Custom Fields to create KPIs which will serve as task dimension models.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Task roles for groups � Building a productive team that knows how to accomplish tasks in the best way

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

What are task roles in groups?
Multiple web resources give the following group task roles definition: task roles are those roles to which members of a group are assigned to move the group forward in completing its tasks and mission. Proper allocation of task roles in a group is the guarantee for good team functioning and development. When your team has the right mix of task roles that are well differentiated and integrated, members of the team share a sense of cohesion and team spirit, and each of them can see whether his/her particular role fits group objectives.

Software for managing task roles
Task roles and maintenance roles are managed by means of task management software for group collaboration. VIP Task Manager is an example of such software that has Roles panel to let you define task roles in accordance with duties and responsibilities of employees and to create multiple types of task roles for project resources. The software supports the permissions system to allow or deny users to view, edit and delete tasks.

Action plan:

Start VIP Task Manager and create a new database.
Go to Resource List view, find there Roles panel and create large and small group task roles in accordance with needs of your project. Your task role settings can be applied to all users within the database.
Use Permissions panel to allow/deny users to view, edit and delete tasks in accordance with the settings for group communication task roles.
Go to Task Tree view to create hierarchies for your projects.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Action plan tips � Make a list of your hits and misses to get a clear understanding of where you are now and what to do to realize your action plan purpose

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Here are some action plan tips that will help you develop a suitable action plan strategy and substantially improve action plan benefits and results:

Create a list of your hits for the last and current weeks/months/years. All achievements in your career, business and studies are considered as hits.
Create a list of misses that will cover lost opportunities and your failures. For example, you might lose job opportunities, fail to negotiate a loan for your business, or receive bad marks in examinations.
Try to estimate every miss and hit in terms of time and money. Then you can compare values of misses with values of hits in order to understand the realization rate for your action plan objectives.
Use goal management techniques (like S.M.A.R.T.) to convert your previous misses into action plan benefits for the forthcoming week/month/year.
Create a schedule for your action plan and make sure this schedule wholly covers hours necessary to achieve your action plan purpose.

In order to use these tips, you will need to get task management software. Such software will let you create to-do lists, tasks and schedules to develop and realize your action plan strategy.VIP Task Manager is a great example of task management software. You can use it to manage to-do lists, record achievements, schedule working hours, design business calendars etc. In case you need to manage teamwork, you can use VIP Task Manager to organize and coordinate collaborative actions of your team.

Action plan

Run VIP Task Manager to create new databases for your projects and action plan strategies.
Use Task List view to create, manage and track both personal and group to-do lists.
Go to Task Tree view to build hierarchical to-do lists and projects.
Use Resource List view to add user accounts (resources) in your database.
Use Filter Bar to track tasks by any parameters, including Name, ID, Status, and Assignment.
You can build task reports by using Report Builder.

Task analysis guide � Improving performance, optimizing workload and reducing non-productive time

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Task analysis guide - Improving performance, optimizing workload and reducing non-productive time

Various task analysis guides, such as books, articles and online resources, give the following task analysis definition: task analysis is an organized approach used by managers to analyze activity (jobs or tasks) of employees for the purpose of defining basis reasons that force employees to complete tasks and jobs on schedule. There are a number of task analysis methods that let focus on elements of activity, including skills and knowledge of employees, office equipment, materials, tools, safety issues, and training.

As a manager, you need to apply combinations of task analysis approaches to realization of task analysis objectives in the best way. Task management software will help you analyze tasks and measure performance of employees. By using VIP Task Manager, you will gain the following task analysis advantages:

Improvement of performance
Reducing non-productive time and avoiding delays and procrastinations
Optimized workload and better allocation of tasks
Looking into reasons of failures to find a solution

VIP Task Manager is task management software. It is designed to manage, track and report tasks and teamwork. Powerful tools of the software help analyze tasks, create descriptions for tasks, assign tasks to employees, combine tasks into projects, and display tasks on calendar.

Action plan

1. Run VIP Task Manager to create new databases for your projects and action plan strategies.
2. Use Task List view to create, manage and track both personal and group to-do lists.
3. Use Notes Pane and Comments Pane to specify tasks and create task descriptions.
4. Use History Pane to review what changes were applied to tasks.
5. Go to Charts Pane to build diagrams if you want to get a visual view of tasks.

Progress update � importance of regular project progress updating and tools designed for this purpose

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Work progress update is what you should do when you collaborate with your teammates to keep them in touch with project situation. In order to be successful, any work should be properly planned and controlled, and progress updating needs to be shown to everyone who contributes in it. There is no sense to get into work if you don’t have a clear picture of what and how it should be done, and you have no means to control working process and record progress update – in this case your chances to fail are very high. So when you have a plan you need to keep it under control and share it with your collaborators. Earlier, progress updating was quite problematic and laborious arrangement and usually people have neglected regular project progress update sharing in small projects, but today, owing to computer-based tools it is very easy to share and update progress in teamwork of any scale, so even smallest teams can benefit from regular progress updating. To update progress of your joint work you need to have a reliable instrument that is accessible for everyone in your team. Let’s consider examples of progress updating software.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork progress update software that allows project planning and controlling through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project progress update, costs and team efficiency.
VIP Team To Do List is work update progress tool designed for sending tasks via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use project progress updating software you can exchange to-do list updates through e-mail communication.
To update progress in your team do the following:

Action plan

Start your progress updating tool
plan processes and to-do lists
plan costs, set priorities, time and assign tasks to performers
control project progress update through versatile interface

Meeting agenda preparation � Creating meeting agenda examples to successfully prepare your next meeting

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

An effective and successful meeting can be organized and conducted if meeting agenda examples are used during meeting preparation. No matter whether you need to hold a formal or informal meeting, its outcomes completely rely on how well preparation was made throughout the whole meeting planning process. Meeting agenda is a document that covers all points concerning preparation of meetings. It also helps hold meetings and analyze meeting outcomes. You can use various techniques and methods to create a meeting agenda draft and plan such meeting attributes like date, duration, location and participants. Task management software solutions will help you develop a complete meeting agenda design, plan meeting attributes and achieve goals of your next meeting.

VIP Task Manager is a task management software solution that allows making meeting agenda preparation in an effective way. You can use Calendar tool of VIP Task Manager to schedule meeting dates and duration and create meeting timelines. The software supports user collaboration and lets you share meeting agenda examples between meeting participants. VIP Task Manager notifies users of new changes in current meeting agenda design, so when a new meeting is started, all meeting participants will be aware of changes occurred.

Action plan

Start VIP Task Manager Professional.
Go to Task Tree view to create a hierarchical structure for your meeting agenda draft.
Go to Calendar view to schedule meeting attributes and create timeline for your meeting agenda design.
Use Notifications Panel to receive the latest updates on meeting tasks.

Employee engagement tips � Managing the greatest assets of any company

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Employee engagement definition: employee engagement is an important concept for employee management that gives managers a clear vision on how to ensure employees are satisfied with what they do, they feel appreciated, they work with passion and purpose, and they believe in success. Various employee engagement tips teach us how to set employee engagement goals and derive employee engagement benefits by transforming an employee into an engaged employee who is enthusiastically involved in his/her work. Here are some important employee engagement tips:

Get rid of any negative opinions about your employees. Be always positive but impartial.
Make sure your employees have everything they need to do their jobs.
Set clear tasks and goals for your employees.
Make sure they are well trained and skilled in decision making and conflict resolution.
Create corporate culture.
Reward and recognize employees.

To manage your employees effectively and to use employee engagement tips, you will need task management software solutions. VIP Task Manager allows you using task management tools to set realistic goals, assign tasks, and manage employees. This software is based on modern client-server technologies that support real time collaboration and user communication. You can communicate with employees to gather collective ideas and feedback and to improve enthusiasm that will help your business grow and succeed.

Action plan

Start VIP Task Manager software.
Use Task List view to create, assign, manage and track tasks and to-do lists.
Go to Task Tree view to build hierarchical to-do lists and projects.
Use Filter Bar to track tasks.
Use Task Reminder Option to set email/pop-up reminders for urgent and prioritized tasks.
Use Comments Panel and Notes Panel to communicate with your employees and get their feedback.

What is team collaboration?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

You may find many people who don't understand or understand incorrectly what team collaboration means. These people generate multiple team collaboration quotes and requests through search engines and look for team collaboration wiki help to find an answer to the question: "What is team collaboration?" If you also need to understand team collaboration and how to manage it, you can find answers below.

Collaboration as such is a substantive idea that serves as a foundation for managing groups and their efforts. Team collaboration is a joint work of two or more persons who are members of a team and who cooperate and communicate with each other for the purpose of applying joint efforts, coordinating activities, achieving common goals and organizing teamwork. Multiple team collaboration articles and team collaboration sites show that collaboration between team members greatly depends on current level of team collaboration skills of team members as well as on an applied software solution.

VIP Task Manager will help you establish team collaboration and manage your people in real time. It is a Windows-compatible task management and team collaboration program based on a client-server platform. The program offers powerful functionality to manage employees and their responsibilities, including tasks, daily duties and projects.

Action plan

By using Database Wizard of VIP Task Manager, create a new database dedicated to tasks, teamwork and group schedules.
Log in the database.
Go to Task Tree view to create a hierarchical structure for todo lists and teamwork.
Go to Calendar view to schedule todo items and create timelines for teamwork.
Go to Task List view to perform tasks and todo lists.
Go to Resource List view to add human resources. Use Roles Panel to create workgroups and teams.
Use Permissions Panel to set user access to tasks in the database and to limit or extend current level of user collaboration.

To do list tips for improving your productivity

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

Your productivity is something you can always benefit from. To do list tips and task management methods show a lot of ways you can use to increase your productivity. For example, here are some tips that you can use as to do list help guides to become more productive:

Write it – everyday in the morning you can write down tasks you need to accomplish this day. Don’t plan too many tasks for today, but rationally try to create a daily task list that you are able to complete.

Verbalize it – each item in your todo list should have an action verb (ex.: Make a phone call, Pay bills, Send an invitation card, Outline a proposal, etc.)
Prioritize it – each todo item should have a priority so you will know what task should be done now and what tasks can be postponed.
Refer to it – during the day you should refer to your todo list to keep pending tasks on track and to know which todo items are completed and don’t require your attention.
Evaluate it – at the end of each day, you should review which items in your todo list are closed and which ones are still in progress. You can use task management software to keep your todo statistics and use performance indicators to measure your productivity.

Multiple to do list strategies become efficient since you use task management software for creating, managing and tracking your tasks and todos. VIP Task Manager is task management software that helps you do everything required to improve your productivity. The software will offer a powerful todo list manager, a flexible calendar and a convenient project tool to allow you managing your activities efficiently. VIP Task Manager supports user collaboration and teamwork management, so you can use it to organize your employees into a productive team. In this to do list site you can find links to watch to do list video and demo tours that exemplify how to apply VIP Task Manager to management of tasks, todo lists, schedules, and teamwork.

Action plan

Start VIP Task Manager and log in your database.
Go to Task Tree view to create hierarchical structures for todo lists, projects and teamwork.
Go to Calendar view to schedule todos and create timelines for projects and teamwork.
Go to Task List view to perform tasks.
Go to 'Tools' – 'Custom Fields' to create performance indicators to measure your productivity.
Use Charts Panel to build productivity diagrams.

Effective time management � become an effective time manager with easy-to-use tools

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

What is effective time management? Is it an art that should be learned for years before you master it, or is it a skill that can be studied in a fixed term? We think that effective time management satisfies both definitions as there are lots of effective time planning methods, dozens of books written by different experts who aspire to prove that their effective time management systems are the best, but at the same time every person can master several of these methods, combine and customize them according to own experience and obtain individual effective time planning system. That's why effective time management is a science and an art at the same time. No matter if your effective time planning method is learned by you or you have invented it yourself – anyway you need effective time tracking instrument to apply your system in practice. The most of effective time tracking methods were invented before computers were broadly used, so they offer paper-based tools that seem quite old-fashioned today. Let’s consider computer-based tools that will help you to become an effective time manager.

VIP Task Manager is teamwork effective time management tool that allows you to plan detailed tasks on adjustable Calendar view and to control performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency. With a help of this groupware you and your teammates can perform effective time planning with a help of different modes (timeline, day, month, week, year view, to-do list) and carry out effective time tracking of project activities.

VIP Organizer is individual simple effective time manager that allows you to list you tasks in category- and time-specific manner, set priorities and manage checklists. With a help of this product you can create a project plan and perform personal effective time planning in order to design your ideal agenda.

To fulfill effective time management do the following:

start your effective time manager
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan timeline and target dates on Calendar view
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control effective time tracking through switching between different modes

What are project success factors? Tool to manage project success criteria and project success metrics

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

According to opinion of project management experts there are several main project success factors and their list includes the project manager, project team, project parameters, project organization and external environment. All these project success factors are very important when we want to satisfy project success criteria. To establish project success criteria means to define how you can know if project is successfully finished. Of course, the main project success criteria are full achievement of project goals. If project team has achieved a full range of goals that were expected from this project you can say that project has succeeded. According to project success statistics, not always project team is able to reach all predefined goals, so usually projects have prioritized list of goals and at a minimum project should attain its most important targets. Other project success metrics include conformity of actual time and costs parameters to planned ones. For this purpose accurate project success statistics on different project indicators should be kept.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that allows improving project success factors such as project organization. Through this client-server tool you can create a virtual environment for collaboration and controlling project success metrics. Deploy this software over your business network in minutes, give a quick configuration and use it for setting tasks, organizing tasks, assigning tasks, scheduling tasks and finally live controlling of project execution through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list).

To create and manage your project success factors do the following:

start your project management tool
plan processes, project tasks and to-do lists for you and teammates
plan costs, set priorities, time and assign tasks to performers
control project execution and project success metrics through versatile interface

Update task sheets and timetables through special easy-to-use software

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

When you collaborate with other people you need to share working plans with them. The critical point in collaboration is a question of how to update task list, so you and your teammates can always have access to up-to-date information. Traditional task updating is performed with a help of paper means, such as wall timetables, individual letters and worksheets. Then, since computers are widely used in offices, people try to invent new more convenient and fast ways to update task table. As examples of such attempts we can mention task updating through e-mail communication products (such as MS Outlook), or through spreadsheet software (such as MS Excel). Soon, with experience, many users find out that these methods to update task lists and timetables are not perfect because of different reasons, so they feel a need for task updating software. Take a look through this short review of tools that have wide capabilities in update task function, so they work as team task updaters that keep your teammates in touch with situation.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork task updating software that allows project planning and controlling through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.
VIP Team To Do List is work management task updater designed for sending tasks via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use task updater you can exchange checklist updates through e-mail communication.

Action plan

To update task in your team do the following:

Log in update task software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan processes and to-do lists on Task List view to set target dates
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control task updating and other project parameters

Task example � what are task examples, their purpose and tools to manage

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Task example is actually an example of how to state and perform certain kind of tasks. It is helpful for any organization to store a library of task examples for every typical procedure as well as to provide guidelines for dealing with unforeseen situations. Normally, example of task includes sample of task statement (how task should be explained and assigned to be clear for performer), what skills and abilities are required from performer to accomplish this assignment successfully, what measures and indicators are used to identify and evaluate task progression, and what range of results can be considered as a task success. There are task management products that allow to store and manage task examples. Let's consider one sample of such tools.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that allows project planning and controlling through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency. This product allows you to create project and task examples (templates) that can be stored in sharable database and duplicated when it is required, also you can store example of task performance in archive to review its history, parameters, notes etc.

Action plan

To manage task examples in your team do the following:

start your task example software
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan processes and to-do lists on Task List view
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
save task example in archive, so it can be later retrieved and used in practice

Project success stories � Find a balanced combination of time, human resources and budget to succeed in project management

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

If you start looking for project success stories that can help you with managing projects, you will find many examples which show how experienced project managers run their projects. Various project success surveys demonstrate that a balanced combination of the key factors like Time, Human Resources and Budget will let companies and managers achieve consistency in the way they plan, manage, monitor and close out projects on schedule, per specification and within budget. Such a combination can be created and retained by means of project management software.

VIP Task Manager is client-server project management software designed to help balance time, human resources and budget and find the best combination of these factors to lead your project to success. The software allows using different project success methods and project success indicators to measure and control parameters of your project and to take immediate actions for optimization.

Action plan

Start VIP Task Manager Professional.
Go to Task Tree view to create a hierarchical structure for your project.
Go to Calendar view to schedule tasks and create timelines for your projects.
Go to Task List view to plan tasks and create to-do lists.
Go to Resource List view to add human resources in your project.
Use Custom Fields functionality to apply project success methods and project success indicators.

Meeting agenda timer � A software tool to create and manage meeting agenda outlines

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

We all know that sometimes any meeting can run longer then it's expected. In order to organize and hold an effective meeting, you need to start with developing a concise meeting agenda outline. Your meeting agenda sample can be drafted and scheduled by using meeting agenda timer software. As a rule, such software includes powerful tools for task management and event scheduling.

There are several key points that should be included in your meeting agenda minutes outline. The points are date, time and location of the next meeting. It's also important to add a list of meeting participants in your meeting agenda outline. You can use such meeting agenda timer software as VIP Task Manager to schedule, plan and manage your meeting agendas.

The software offers a range of task management and event scheduling tools and supports real time collaboration between meeting participants, so you can notify them of date, time and location of the next meeting, share your meeting agenda outline, and get immediate feedback. Calendar view of the software offers you powerful functionality to manage meeting agenda samples. For example, you can display agenda tasks on calendar, create agenda timelines, and apply task filters.

Action plan:

Start VIP Task Manager Professional.
Go to Task Tree view to create a hierarchical structure for your meeting agenda outline.
Go to Calendar view to schedule tasks and create timelines for your meeting agendas.
Go to Task List view to plan agenda tasks, set priorities, and track to-do lists.

Mini business plan template � tools to compose and manage mini business plans

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Today, it is very popular among large companies to sell their franchises, especially for establishing enterprises in the sphere of mini and small business. Mini business plan template is what is usually sold together with business franchise, so you can act according to this business plan, but it is effective only after it is adjusted for your reality. Conception of mini business can vary from country to country, but usually very small enterprises where staff includes just a one person or a few persons are called mini-business. Mini business plan template is what tells you how to organize your own shop, bakery or something like this. You may find lots of mini business plan outlines that advise you how to start your own business. Usually every mini business plan outline has some mini business plan example attached to it in order to show how this works. The best mini business plan format is a format which actually helps mini business mangers to perform this plan in practice. Executable mini business plan format is software-based format like a task list.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that allows mini business plan template creating and controlling through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list). With a help of this tool you can share your mini business plans with your team and analyze performance of your workgroup in order to identify project progress update, costs and team efficiency.
VIP Organizer is individual simple mini business plan template manager that allows you to list you tasks in category- and time-specific manner, set priorities and manage checklists. With a help of this product you can use mini business plan format of to-do list as well as to manage your daily agenda.

To create and manage your mini business plan template do the following:

Start your mini business plan outline tool
plan processes and to-do lists for you and teammates (if required)
plan costs, set priorities, time and assign tasks to performers
control mini business plan template execution through versatile interface

Project step management � make your arrangements and projects measurable and controllable

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

It is easier to cope with everything in our life when it is clear what we should do to accomplish it. Almost everything can be represented as a project so to clarify what to do we should divide our arrangements into project steps, so every project step is feasible and doable. There are several simple project management steps that ensure our success, so let’s consider them. First of all we should list our goals and make a project break-down structure – we should break our arrangement into smaller project steps (tasks) so we can see what should be done and in what order. The next one of our steps of project management is organizing project – we should define how we will measure success, how we are going to control progress, which project steps will be delegated and how your goals will be realized. The next stage is scheduling project steps – giving specific target dates to your tasks. All these project planning steps can be carried out with a help of special tools.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that allows conducting your team through all project planning steps – setting tasks, organizing tasks, scheduling tasks and finally live controlling of project execution through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list).

VIP Organizer is individual simple project step manager that allows you to drive your personal arrangements through all classic project management steps. This simple software allows you to manage your time, priorities, files, notes and checklists.

To create and manage your project steps do the following:

Start your project management tool
plan processes, project steps and to-do lists for you and teammates (if required)
plan costs, set priorities, time and assign tasks to performers
control project execution through versatile interface

Switch project parts, groups, details and assignments with a help of special software

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Many managers who work with project portfolios dream to have a tool that will help them to quickly switch between different projects, switch project stages, and then "go up" to see overall summarized progress of entire portfolio. There are such computer-based products that allow switching projects, switching project stages, switching project details, parameters and tasks in order to give a full picture of what is going on in portfolio to a project manager. Such a project switcher is well-featured managerial software with multi-project management capabilities that allow you to drive a portfolio of company projects within one database, so when you switch project you can work with the same project terms for recurring/similar/connected projects and apply unique workflow settings to stand-alone projects.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software that allows switching project folders for planning and controlling different projects through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.
VIP Team To Do List is work management tool designed to switch project to-do lists and send them via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use project switcher you can exchange checklist updates through e-mail communication.
To switch project stages and task groups do the following:

Action plan

start your project switcher
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan processes and to-do lists
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
switch project groups to control performance parameters

Project brief � Making an overview of the forthcoming project activities

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

When a new project is about to be initiated, a project brief should be created by project manager to show a full and firm foundation for project initiation. The purpose of project brief is to provide project participants with an overview of what should be done, how deadlines are set and what resources are required. Project brief is a document that outlines the most important and pressing issues regarding current project. Usually project briefdocument includes project background, objectives, expected outcomes, scope, exclusions, assumptions, and interests of the parties involved.

VIP Task Manager will help you create and manage your project brief outline. The software offers functionality to manage projects, create project brief templates, keep documents and tasks in a single database and set user permissions for one or another element of your project brief structure.VIP Task Manager has Task Tree view where you can create project brief examples and project brief layouts. The software supports real time collaboration between team members and immediately notifies them of any changes in current project brief format.

Action plan:

Start VIP Task Manager.
Go to Task Tree view to create a project brief template for your next project. You can use folders and subfolders to build a hierarchical structure of your project brief document.
You can duplicate project brief templates each time when a new project is about to be initiated.
Use Filter Bar and Notifications Panel to track items of your project brief example.
Use Permissions Panel to share elements of your project brief structure.

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Procrastination tips and task management software � A great combination to stop procrastinating

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Procrastination is one of the most terrible things that will pursue you and your employees all the time. If you want to build a successful career of an office manager and to know how to stop procrastination, you need to learn many procrastination tips and use a task management software solution to take advantage of these tips. There are several main procrastination tips that teach you not to postpone a task to next time, not to lose your faith, and not to do several tasks at a time. Task management software helps track tasks, always remember about important events, and record personal and group achievements.

VIP Task Manager is a client-server program that allows overcoming procrastination and doing tasks on schedule. You can use the task management software to create to-do lists where you can prioritize each task, define task start time and finish time, set reminders and receive notification messages. The software provides you and your employees with procrastination cure solutions by allowing creating schedules, event agendas and diaries. Functionality of VIP Task Manager lets you use popular task management methods (like GTD technique and ABCD method) to help achieve your goals in the most efficient way.

Action List:

Start VIP Task Manager software.
Use Task List view to create, manage and track to-do lists.
Go to Task Tree view to build hierarchical to-do lists and projects.
Set reminders for urgent and prioritized tasks.
Use Filter Bar to track tasks by any parameters, such as Name, ID, Due Date, Status, Assignment etc.
You can build task reports by using Report Builder.

Task properties management software � tools to plan and control every task property

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Task properties are critically important for the processes of task initiation, task performance and task controlling. Each task property plays its own role in the entire task specification. Every task attribute holds a certain informative value to describe some task parameter. Together task properties represent full picture of a task. Task properties help task performer to get a complete picture of what he/she is actually expected to do. On the other hand, task properties determine vision of the work from the side of its supervisor. Describing the complete task attribute set includes definition of all inputs and outputs - work purpose and quality, time parameters and everything that refers to identification of the task as a part of a greater project. During task performance each task attribute can be reported to supervisor in order to control if actual value meets planned/estimated.
VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork software for task properties planning and controlling. This software allows planning projects where you can describe every task by dozens of standard and custom task fields. This task property planner and controller will help you to assign tasks to multiple performers and control their performance in real-time to analyze team efficiency.
VIP Organizer is individual task manager that can be used for task field management in personal or small business projects. This simple software allows you to manage your time, priorities, files, notes and checklists described by task field table.
To plan and control task properties you need to do the following:

start your task properties management software
create custom task property set if required
use Task Tree to create project break-down structure
create tasks for you and other team members
plan each necessary task attribute – schedule time, plan costs, set priorities, give instructions and assign tasks to performers
control project evolution in terms of tasks completion, time and costs

�Set the list of responsibilities for each position of your staff

Schedule analyzer - switch between different modes to review and analyze schedule of your activities

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Accurately analyze schedule of your project before following it. You, as a schedule analyzer, should take care of different factors that ensure workability of your time-specified plan. Schedule analysis stands for plan accuracy and flexibility. Remember that schedules should be built with the understanding that they can be revised. During schedule analysis you need to avoid two extreme points - ensure that schedule is not too tight and also that there are no wide unscheduled intervals that can be better allocated for some activities. If you, during your schedule analysis, find some big time lag, remember that probably you just forget something to schedule or you have mistakenly scheduled two different activities (events) for the same time. Schedule analyzer is software that will help you to build and review your schedule in different modes, so you can disclose scheduling conflicts and other problems.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork schedule analyzer that allows you to plan detailed tasks on adjustable Calendar view and to control performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency. With a help of this groupware you and your teammates can select between different modes (timeline, day, month, week, year view, to-do list) to plan and analyze schedule of project activities.

VIP Organizer is individual simple task list manager and schedule analyzer that allows you to list you tasks in category- and time-specific manner, set priorities and manage checklists. With a help of this product you can create a project plan and perform simple personal schedule analysis in order to define if everything necessary is on the list.

To fulfill schedule analysis do the following:

start your schedule analyzer
use Task Tree to break-down your projects into doable activities
plan timelines on Calendar view
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers
control quality of your schedule by switching between different modes

How to build schematic project representation

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Schematic project representation is designing (drawing up) a vivid scheme (plan) where tasks are depicted as "boxes" with lines to describe their relations - let’s say belongings to their tasks groups. Project scheme may represent task groups (categories, tasks phases, processes etc.), their hierarchy (so called task tree) and tasks which belong to each of task groups. Traditionally, scheme of project is drawn up on a paper sheet, but today there are software products which can help you to build a schematic project representation on a screen of your PC. Example of software that can help you to build and manage a project scheme is VIP Task Manager. This product will help you, not only to represent your scheme of project as hierarchy of tasks and task groups, but also to control their execution together with your team.VIP Task Manager is real-time schematic project management tool that allows project planning and controlling through using different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) and analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify project evolution, costs and team efficiency.

VIP Organizer is individual simple schematic project software that allows setting standard task parameters for each your activity, like tasks priorities, statuses and other attributes that help you in schematizing your personal projects.

To create project scheme in your team do the following:

start your schematic project management tool
use Task Tree to break-down your project scheme into doable activities
plan schematic project processes and to-do lists on Task List view
plan costs, set priorities and assign tasks to performers

Employee list tool integrated into work management system � good solution for business

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Creating and maintaining employee list that contains detailed data about employees is one of the main HR tasks for any organization. Of course this is not a hard task just to create employee list, but the point of the problem is to find a sure method to achieve coordination of employees list between different projects carried out in organization. The best way to establish and support flexible list of employees where each staff member is identified by certain scope of roles, duties and responsibilities is to use software-driven employee list. Some special employee list software can be used for this purpose, but there is one more advantageous way – to use project team management software with integrated tool for employees list management. This is very efficient approach as electronic employees list integrated into project team management software allows allocating roles and responsibilities without separation of this function from other project management processes. This means that staffing policy and performance management can be carried out together.
VIP Task Manager is real-time work management software that will help you to create employee list with identifying employees with different details and roles. You can use this client-server tool to assign tasks to persons registered in employee list and to control their performance (time, tasks and costs).
VIP Team To Do List is work management software designed for sending tasks via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use product you can create employee list, design plan of a project and send categorized, prioritized and dated to-do lists to performers by e-mail.
To create employee list you need to do the following:

start your work management software
go to Resource List mode (employee list)
add users entries with details (Phones, Job titles. Departments etc.)
create and assign roles
plan tasks and assign them to team members

Workflow patterns � select a tool to compose, manage and store your action plans

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0200

Workflow patterns are action plans (schemas) - "recipes" that show you how some business processes or projects can/should be organized in order to get required results. If some process or project has a very strict procedure – a workflow pattern is necessary road map which is required for correct and accurate performance. Sometimes workflow patterns are just optimized and recommended guidelines or examples of "the best practices", but usually workflow pattern is a necessary plan that must be followed in order to complete something, so if this plan will not be fully or partially followed – this can cause serious risks and problems. There are different workflow patterns for different purposes as well as there are different products for workflow pattern management. Let's take a look through the following brief review of two products that can be used for composing and following workflow patterns in business.

VIP Task Manager is real-time teamwork management software that will help you to create workflow pattern for your business processes and projects, so then workflow patterns can be put in practice and controlled through different adjustable modes (timeline, calendar, task tree, to-do list) for analyzing performance of your workgroup in order to identify workflow evolution, time, costs and team efficiency.
VIP Team To Do List is workflow patterns management software designed for sending tasks via e-mail. With a help of this easy-to-use product you can create employee list, design workflow pattern of a project and send categorized, prioritized and dated to-do lists to teammates by e-mail.
To create workflow patterns you need to do the following:

start your workflow pattern management tool
use Task Tree to break-down your projects and processes into doable activities/steps
schedule and assign to-do lists to performers on Task List view
plan costs, set priorities and attach documents to tasks
send created workflow pattern to Archive in order to retrieve and duplicate it when required