Project Managers are rigorous organizers who build scalable processes, rely on templates for project workflow, and have flawless attention to detail. But staying organized amidst impromptu meetings, shifting priorities and ad hoc requests is challenging.

Here’s how I stay productive, get the best work done and make others happy and motivated in the process:

Tools

• Evernote – best used for note taking and agendas; use ‘tags’ to keep content organized

• Asana – best used for task management and team roadmaps

• Excel – best used for time tracking and project planning templates

• Basecamp – best used as all-in-one asset platform

• Google Apps Suite – best used for communication and file sharing with Gmail, Calendar and Drive

• Slack – best used for team communication (when guidelines are in place)

• HubSpot – best used for customer relationship management (CRM) like client data collection and sales marketing

• Harvest – best used for time tracking and budgeting

• Product Hunt – best used for discovering and experimenting with (mostly free) new products/services

Templates

• Zapier: 50 Google Sheets Add-Ons to Supercharge Your Spreadsheets

• Evernote: 10 free project management templates

• Day Designer: planning pages intended to help you find balance, focus & productivity

Communications

• Canned Emails: Prewritten emails

• Fast Company: The Perfect Email for Almost Every Situation

• Louder Than 10: Say this when you don’t know what to say

• Vox Storytelling: How to make design (or any product) reviews productive

Need project management help? Let's talk.