The Management 'Equalizer' #006 Todays review is one for all your 'Productivity Nerd's out there, of which I am one. I heard about this book from a PMO webinar and bought it last year. Come Up for Air by Nick Sonnenberg offers a solution to help regain control and improve productivity, when overloaded with tasks and tools. Below are some of the key lessons: ? The first concept is using the CPR Framework?to streamline workflows. Communication: Use the right channels for efficient, clear communication, reducing time wasted on unnecessary emails or meetings. Planning: Implement structured systems for managing tasks, projects, and timelines, ensuring alignment across teams. Resources: Organize resources for quick retrieval. Optimizing for retrieval—storing information where it's easy to find—reduces the time spent searching for files or tools. ? The key steps in each part of the framework are shown below: ? Communication: Simplifying Information Flow -Optimize communication channels: Avoid unnecessary back-and-forth by choosing the right medium for communication (email, chat, meetings, etc.). -Minimize email overload: Set expectations around email use and consider alternatives like team collaboration tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams) for quick updates. -Asynchronous communication: Embrace async communication to give team members the flexibility to respond in their own time, cutting down interruptions and creating more focused work. Planning: Structuring Projects and Tasks -Use clear project management tools: Adopt tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday to keep everyone aligned on tasks, deadlines, and priorities. -Visualize workflows: Implement kanban boards or Gantt charts to visualize timelines and deliverables, ensuring transparency across teams. -Plan for scalability: Create project templates and workflows that can scale as the team or project grows, avoiding bottlenecks or over-complexity as demands increase. Resources: Optimizing for Retrieval -Create a central knowledge hub: Set up cloud-based repositories (Google Drive, SharePoint, etc.) where documents and resources are stored, ensuring everyone has easy access. -Organize for fast retrieval: Use consistent naming conventions and folder structures, so files are easy to locate. Sonnenberg emphasizes the importance of optimizing for retrieval to cut down on time spent searching for resources. -Utilize tech effectively: Leverage the power of cloud storage and resource management tools to keep your information centralized and easy to update, reducing redundant file versions and disorganized storage systems. ? The philosophy of the book aims to help teams work smarter, not harder. On top of the book you can also utilize some free templates on the book's website. I would highly recommend the book for its practical, step by step approach to productivity improvement. ? Till next time !
David Russell, MBA, PMP, PMI-ACP的动态
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?? "Which timeline tool should I use for my project?" It's a question we hear often. The answer? It depends on your needs: - Small project, basic needs? #GoogleSheets might suffice - Complex dependencies? You need more - Working in #Microsoft365? There's a perfect solution We've created the ultimate guide to calendar timelines that answers ALL your questions: ? Timeline vs. Calendar: Key differences ? Step-by-step setup guides ? Advanced features you didn't know you needed ? Enterprise solutions for #MicrosoftTeams Ready to level up your #projectManagement? Check out our comprehensive guide:
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Director – Strategic Solutions & Customer Success | Driving Innovation, Engagement & Sustainable Business Growth
??The Power of a single source of Truth: Why It Matters!?? In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, businesses are managing increasingly complex projects. Yet, ironically, instead of simplifying workflows, many Project Portfolio Management (PPM) tools inadvertently add layers of complexity. Why? Because they often lack essential features, forcing organizations to depend on add-ons, spreadsheets, and multiple tools to fill the gaps. The result? Fragmented information is scattered across systems, creating silos and misalignments that can jeopardize decision-making. This is where a ??Single Source of Truth?becomes pivotal. For project-driven organizations, this is not just a buzzword; it’s the foundation for efficient collaboration, transparency, and informed decision-making. But achieving it is easier said than done. ???The Challenges with Most PPM Tools Many PPM tools promise comprehensive solutions but fall short of delivering a single source of truth. Key shortcomings include: 1) Dependence on Add-Ons:?Teams need to integrate multiple third-party apps for basic functionalities, leading to disjointed workflows. 2) Manual Workarounds:?Teams often revert to Excel to track project details that tools can’t accommodate, introducing errors and inefficiencies. 3) Fragmented Information:?Important project updates are scattered across tools like email, chat apps, and spreadsheets, creating confusion and delays. ???How #Celoxis Stands Apart Celoxis was built with a clear vision: to provide an end-to-end PPM solution that serves as the?single source of truth for all project-related activities. 1) Comprehensive Feature Set:?Celoxis offers all the essentials — project planning, resource management, collaboration, financial tracking, and reporting — in one integrated platform. No need for add-ons. 2) Real-Time Data Access:?All stakeholders can access live data ??, ensuring everyone is on the same page, whether it’s project progress, budgets, or risks. 3) Custom Workflows:?Our platform adapts to your organization’s unique needs, minimizing reliance on excel or external tools for approvals, task management, or reporting. 3) Insightful Reporting and Dashboards:?With Celoxis, your data transforms into actionable insights, helping leaders make confident, data-driven decisions ??without delays. ???The Business Impact Celoxis not only streamlines project management but also empowers organizations to: 1) Reduce inefficiencies and manual errors. 2) Enhance collaboration and communication. 3) Gain 360-degree visibility across projects and portfolios. 4) Make timely, informed decisions based on accurate data. Fragmented tools and workarounds may seem manageable initially, but as your organization scales, the cracks become glaring. Celoxis offers a robust, scalable, and truly integrated platform that eliminates silos and delivers the?single source of Truth?your business needs to thrive. #celoxis #datadriven #Scalable #singlesourceoftruth #ppm
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?? Efficiency is key in professional services. Using multiple platforms for projects, resources, and communication leads to delays. A centralized hub for project management, file storage, and communication helps firms deliver projects on time and streamline operations. Platforms such as Microsoft 365 and Trovve provide the integration required: ? Teams for communication ? SharePoint for files ? AI-driven automation for repetitive tasks The result? ?? 30% faster project delivery times ? 40% reduction in admin tasks When operations run smoothly, teams can allocate more time to delivering value to clients rather than coordinating tasks. Interested in discovering how a centralized hub can enhance your operations? Find out more in our latest blog: ?? https://lnkd.in/eCGchj3b #ProfessionalServices #Microsoft365 #ProjectManagement #Efficiency #Trovve?
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Helping Growing Businesses Save 20+ Hours/Week through Optimised Systems & Automation | Systems Specialist | ClickUp, Monday & Asana Certified Expert
Does your team struggle to stay efficient and organized? Discover how these 7 powerful time tracking tools in 2024 can transform your business operations and increase productivity to new heights. Take charge of your team's time management today! 1. Toggl Features: → User-friendly interface for effortless time tracking. → Detailed reports and analytics for insightful productivity analysis. → Seamless integration with popular platforms and mobile apps for on-the-go tracking. 2. Harvest Features: → Comprehensive time tracking and project management capabilities. → Invoicing tools to streamline billing processes. → Detailed reports for gaining valuable insights into team productivity and project profitability. 3. RescueTime Features: → Background tracking of time spent on applications and websites. → Insights to identify and eliminate productivity drains and distractions. → Personalized reports to optimize time management and improve focus. 4. Clockify Features: → Free time tracking tool suitable for individuals and teams. → Effortless project and task management with billable hour tracking. → Integrations with major project management tools and browser extensions for enhanced functionality. 5. Hubstaff Features: → Advanced time tracking and team management capabilities. → Productivity monitoring and activity tracking with optional screenshots. → GPS tracking for remote teams, online timesheets, and seamless invoicing integration. 6. TimeCamp Features: → Automatic time tracking and timesheets for accurate project monitoring. → Detailed reports and visual insights into project progress and team performance. → Integration with various apps and platforms, with a user-friendly desktop and mobile interface. 7. ClickUp Features: → Integrated time tracking within a powerful project management platform. → Customizable task views and workflows to streamline productivity. → Collaboration tools and automation features to enhance team efficiency. Ready to optimize your time management and increase productivity? Explore these top time tracking tools and take control of your workflow today! P.S What is your best time management tip? =========================================== ?? Like my post? Reshare with your network. ?? Want biweekly tips on business optimization? Join Ops Optimiser as my free newsletter. Just scroll up & hit Subscribe to Newsletter.
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?? Struggling to keep your project on track? Dive into the world of document approval workflows! Just like a well-oiled machine, they can streamline your processes and avoid those dreaded missed deadlines and chaos. ?? Imagine a world where documents flow seamlessly, collaborators communicate effortlessly, and approvals happen like clockwork. That's the power of a structured approval workflow. ?? Boost your team's productivity, enhance collaboration, and minimize errors with the right tools and technologies. SharePoint, anyone? ?? From contracts to project deliverables, every document deserves a smooth journey through the approval process. Let's break down the types of approvals and roles involved in the workflow. ?? Ready to revolutionize your document management? Explore the critical steps a document flows through, from creation to final approval. It's like conducting an orchestra of productivity! ?? Need some hacks to supercharge your workflow? Discover automation, conditional routing, parallel reviews, and more to make your approval process a breeze. ?? Don't fall into common pitfalls like insufficient security, neglecting workflow monitoring, or improper storage. Stay ahead of the game with a well-structured approach. ?? What's next on your project management journey? Join us in unraveling the secrets of efficient document approval workflows and take your projects to the next level! #ProjectManagement #DocumentApproval #WorkflowMagic https://lnkd.in/eR8YZbg5
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An accomplished leader - improving product adoption and customer retention and helping foster positive customer relationships
As a project management professional, I'm always searching for a better way to do my work and to continually evolve my craft where it makes sense. I just came across a post that has me excited about how #Copilot for Microsoft 365 is changing the game for project management! The way Copilot streamlines everything—from gathering requirements to summarizing meetings, identifying risks, and creating detailed communication plans—is really exciting. This is exactly the kind of tool that I plan to incorporate into my PM tool chest.
Sr. IT/Technical Program Manager | Solution Architect | Microsoft MVP - Business Applications | Microsoft 365 Copilot AI Agents & Copilot Studio Developer | PMP | Adjunct Professor | Speaker | YouTuber
Among the project process groups which are initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling, and closing, project planning?is probably the most important one for ensuring the success of all stages. This phase can be particularly complex in IT projects. You can certainly streamline this process using #Copilot for Microsoft 365. As shown in the image below, start by gathering all the project requirements you received from various stakeholders via email, chat, files, meetings, etc., and ask Copilot in Teams to create a project outline. The next step would be setting up a project meeting with the stakeholders to agree on the project plan objectives. You can leverage Copilot in #Teams meetings to summarize the meeting and create action items. Take this further by adding the content to Loop and creating a Loop workspace for the project. One of the key planning objectives is to identify project risks, categorize them based on their severity and likelihood, create mitigation plans and action items, and assign them to project team members. I like using brainstorming tools like #Whiteboard for identifying project risks. Once you are done, you can ask Copilot to summarize the workshop. Use Loop components to embed all the identified risks and mitigation plans and add them to your project Loop workspace. You will need to create communication and change management plans as well, and here I recommend using Copilot in #Loop. Simply create a new Loop page inside your workspace and ask Copilot to create a communication plan based on the information you have gathered so far. The next step would be creating a project plan in Word. Using Copilot in #Word, you can ask Copilot to create a project plan based on the files, chats, and sessions you have so far. If it is a lightweight project, you can ask Copilot in Loop to create a project tracker for your plan. Otherwise, you can add them to Excel and export it to Azure Boards. Executive updates are very important to keep your sponsor in the loop. Here, you can use Copilot in #PowerPoint to create a presentation referring to the project plan in Word and the progress tracker to provide updates such as actual burndown vs. planned. This is the way that I use it, and it saves me a lot of time while bringing everything relevant to the projects that I manage. You can customize this framework to work the way it suits you best. For more resources, check out the?Copilot Success Kit: https://lnkd.in/eBvYXih6 Image credit: Microsoft #copilot #projectmanagement #ITprojects
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Sr. IT/Technical Program Manager | Solution Architect | Microsoft MVP - Business Applications | Microsoft 365 Copilot AI Agents & Copilot Studio Developer | PMP | Adjunct Professor | Speaker | YouTuber
Among the project process groups which are initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling, and closing, project planning?is probably the most important one for ensuring the success of all stages. This phase can be particularly complex in IT projects. You can certainly streamline this process using #Copilot for Microsoft 365. As shown in the image below, start by gathering all the project requirements you received from various stakeholders via email, chat, files, meetings, etc., and ask Copilot in Teams to create a project outline. The next step would be setting up a project meeting with the stakeholders to agree on the project plan objectives. You can leverage Copilot in #Teams meetings to summarize the meeting and create action items. Take this further by adding the content to Loop and creating a Loop workspace for the project. One of the key planning objectives is to identify project risks, categorize them based on their severity and likelihood, create mitigation plans and action items, and assign them to project team members. I like using brainstorming tools like #Whiteboard for identifying project risks. Once you are done, you can ask Copilot to summarize the workshop. Use Loop components to embed all the identified risks and mitigation plans and add them to your project Loop workspace. You will need to create communication and change management plans as well, and here I recommend using Copilot in #Loop. Simply create a new Loop page inside your workspace and ask Copilot to create a communication plan based on the information you have gathered so far. The next step would be creating a project plan in Word. Using Copilot in #Word, you can ask Copilot to create a project plan based on the files, chats, and sessions you have so far. If it is a lightweight project, you can ask Copilot in Loop to create a project tracker for your plan. Otherwise, you can add them to Excel and export it to Azure Boards. Executive updates are very important to keep your sponsor in the loop. Here, you can use Copilot in #PowerPoint to create a presentation referring to the project plan in Word and the progress tracker to provide updates such as actual burndown vs. planned. This is the way that I use it, and it saves me a lot of time while bringing everything relevant to the projects that I manage. You can customize this framework to work the way it suits you best. For more resources, check out the?Copilot Success Kit: https://lnkd.in/eBvYXih6 Image credit: Microsoft #copilot #projectmanagement #ITprojects
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Want to see your team's productivity soar? Discover which time-tracking tool can make it happen! Managing time efficiently isn't just a necessity—it's a competitive advantage. Time-tracking tools are invaluable for ensuring projects stay on budget and deadlines are met, while providing insights into team workloads and efficiencies. Here’s a breakdown of the best time-tracking tools available for SaaS teams in 2024, emphasizing their standout features, ease of use, and integration capabilities: 1. TimeDoctor — Known for its precision, TimeDoctor offers detailed insights into individual and team productivity. Its seamless integration with project management tools like Asana and Trello ensures that tracking time enhances workflow rather than interrupts it. 2. Toggl Track — Celebrated for its flexibility and user-friendly interface, Toggl Track is perfect for teams that switch tasks often. Its robust integration capabilities with tools like Jira and Salesforce make it a powerhouse for ensuring accurate and comprehensive time accounting. 3. Harvest — Going beyond mere time tracking, Harvest incorporates invoicing and budget management, making it ideal for teams that manage client billing directly from the time-tracking platform. Its integration with payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe streamlines the billing process. 4. Clockify — A budget-friendly option for startups and smaller teams, Clockify offers core time-tracking functionalities for free. It supports advanced features such as time rounding and detailed reporting, with scalability as your team grows. 5. RescueTime — This tool is excellent for boosting productivity by automatically tracking time spent on applications and websites. It helps identify distractions, providing insights into efficiency and offering solutions for focus enhancement. 6. Everhour — Known for its exceptional integration with project management tools like Asana and Trello, Everhour allows for smooth tracking within these platforms. It is particularly useful for teams needing detailed reporting and project time management. 7. Smartsheet — Combining time tracking with advanced project management features, Smartsheet handles complex project timelines and offers extensive automation and collaboration tools, making it a comprehensive choice for managing large-scale projects. Curious to see how these tools can transform your team’s productivity? Dive deeper into each option and find the perfect match for your needs in this detailed guide by Sarthak Mishra. ?? The link to the full article is in the comments below. P.S. Which features do you prioritize when selecting a time-tracking tool for your team? P.P.S. Have you experienced a significant change in productivity after implementing a specific time-tracking tool? #saastools #timetracking #productivitytools #teammanagement
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Project Document Management Tools: 1. Centralized Repository? These tools act as a one-stop solution for storing all project-related documents. Forget hunting through emails or multiple folders—everything is neatly organized and easy to find. 2. Version Control? Ever worked on a document, only to find out someone else updated it? These tools solve that problem by tracking changes and maintaining version history, ensuring everyone works with the latest file. 3. Access Control? Not every team member needs access to every file. With role-based permissions, you can decide who views, edits, or shares sensitive project documents. 4. Real-Time Collaboration? These tools allow multiple users to work on a document simultaneously. Comments, suggestions, and updates appear in real time, boosting team efficiency. 5. Integration with Other Tools? Most document management tools integrate seamlessly with project management platforms like Trello, Jira, or Slack, creating a smooth workflow. 6. Automated Workflows? Say goodbye to manual file approvals. These tools streamline processes like document review and approval with automated notifications and tracking. 7. Search Functionality? Can't remember where you saved a file? Powerful search features let you locate documents using keywords, tags, or metadata in seconds. 8. Mobile Access? Work doesn’t always happen at a desk. With mobile-friendly interfaces, you can view, edit, and share documents on the go. 9. Enhanced Security? Sensitive project data is protected with encryption, regular backups, and secure user authentication, ensuring peace of mind. 10. Cost-Effective for Teams? While some tools are premium, many offer free or budget-friendly plans that cater to small and medium-sized teams, making them accessible to everyone. #DocumentManagementTools #ProjectCollaboration #EfficientWorkflows #TeamProductivity #SecureFileSharing?
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