If you're not using Microsoft Project to track and plan your projects, what do you use? If it's another app in the Office suite, are there specific templates you're using, or something pretty simple?
I'm trying to use swimlanes for two things: First is to see multiple project schedules side by side (column is project, row is day, task written in the cell) so I can tell if two projects are trying to do things on the same day that can't happen, and the second is one worksheet per project--rows are still days, but columns are resources (usually people, not items).
It lacks the ability of Project to do resource levelling, but I found I just could not model reality usefully enough, plus Project just seems to be fighting back more and more these days. I do miss not being able to have all the other dates move when something in the critical path is adjusted, but for legibility in a simpler project, it might be worth it.
So..how are you guys managing that sort of task?
I can't help with ita's question but does anyone here design print ads, because I need help with two. Profile addy is good. (I'm being brief because I'm holding a sleeping Sammy and typing with my left had.)
Eta: when I say help, I mean the kind of help you pay for, not the take advantage kind.
Yeah, I finally gave up with Project, but sadly, because gantt charts are my friend. But I haven't replaced it with anything. It's just me I'm scheduling anyway.
Aww, Sammy. I don't do design, but I have a great graphic designer based in Kansas I'd be happy to send your way. But I have no idea what her commercial rates are, since I never pay her!
That would be great Liese.
I don't do the graphic design part, Stephanie, but if you need copywriting or proofing, let me know. (VERY reasonable rates, since I need more copywriting in my portfolio; market here FLOODED with agency lay-offs.)
And I know law lingo and ad psychology, just sayin'!
Hey, so ita ! was asking over in Bureaucracy where non-business-owners could go to talk about work stuff. I said I thought it would be fine here. I'll quote below her inquiry. What say you all?
The Buffista Business thread is for people who are or run their own businesses.
Where should I post (I'm assuming Natter will be the first answer, but is it the best) about being good at work. And I mean that across a wide range of works.
I might be needing another way to present a 2-page weekly status report for someone else to present to management. Or someone needs to know that trick for Outlook (you know, the way that makes it not suck?--I KEED I KEED). Talk about if certifications improve your resumes in give industries...that sort of stuff could be stultifyingly boring in Natter, out of place in Business, because it's explicitly called out as for business owners only.
I cheated--I really do want that perfect 2 page status report format, and I even have ideas to bring to the table! Status reports of any sort--I'm looking for templates, and can share examples. Never mind--how do you make Project your bitch...and should you have to? Do you apply the Zero Inbox thing to your professional mail? How's that working out for you? GTD in general? Productivity tools?
Some of us drones need help to, even though do report up to someone/thing.
As I said over yonder, I think it'd fit right in.
I tried Project years ago and ran away screaming.
In terms of the zero inbox, I strive for a trash free box. It's not empty, but there is an order to it.
My solution is a fairly granular folder set up. I currently have 23 folders and actually use them all. One is 'unsorted', which I admit is cheating, but my sole motivation for the emails that I keep is to be able to search them, should an issue arise.
Thunderbird gives me a reasonably efficient search function, so it works pretty well.
Another trick I use is to go first to my Verizon webmail page, select all and then click off the non-spam/useless email. That way, only the email I am interested in makes it to the box.
I would love to have a conversation about certifications, too. I have loads, but sort of feel that they are a waste, as no one ever asks for or about them. When I promote them, it feels a little ooky to me.
I zero out my inbox about twice a year. Then I'm diligent about it for another week, and then it gets away from me and right now I have 8000 emails in there. So it goes.
