Task Management Software Features
Within task management software are a variety of task management tools that will allow you to optimize task and project efficiency. Some task management apps will focus on certain features over others, so make sure to assess your company's needs before settling on a task management solution.
Task Creation and Assignment — Task creation and assignment features allow users to create task lists for individual users with details and due dates. This is the main function of task management software, as it helps companies achieve deadlines, set to-do lists, and set priority levels on certain tasks.
Email Notifications — Because task management software can get cluttered with a barrage of tasks, employees can sometimes overlook certain tasks that may be buried beneath other tasks. With this in mind, task management software includes email notification features that remind you at the beginning of each day which tasks have a high priority and must be completed by the end of the day.
Collaborative Project Planning — Task management software allows multiple users to collaborate on the planning and execution of a project. This feature includes a comments section where users can share their ideas and improve communication on certain projects. Users can also access an upload feature, where media can be uploaded, associated with projects or tasks, discussed, and annotated.
Baselining/KPIs — Task management software allows users to set and track key performance indicators within the software. This feature allows users to track key performance indicators or baseline assessments throughout a project lifecycle or across multiple projects. Key performance indicators ensure that the tasks that are being assigned are contributing to the overall success of the company.
Kanban Boards — Task management software helps users map out the entirety of a project with a project management tool called a kanban board. A kanban board maps out projects with milestones, due dates, deliverables, and interdependencies. This provides users with a better visual on how they are pacing throughout a project, which ensures that they complete the project.
Portfolio Management — Task management software often includes features that help with portfolio coordination and budgeting. Portfolio coordination allows users to organize, prioritize, rate, and score projects to best understand your business' progress and initiatives. This helps businesses keep track of goals and metrics they are trying to achieve. Portfolio budgeting allows users to allocate budgets between departments and projects and allow users to control portions for their projects.
Resource Management — Resource management features help with the overall management of time and assets used for certain tasks. The feature allows users to maintain a database of resources that contains employment details, skills, and availability. This provides a better visual into which team members can be deployed to complete certain tasks. Users can also monitor workload capacity and track resource workloads in order to dedicate the man-hours of your workforce most effectively. Resource management also includes a time tracking feature where users can associate effort with tasks, including planned versus actual time allocated, and determine global or specific hourly rates for contract work or value to internal man-hours.
Mobile Access — Mobile access offers a mobile app or mobile-optimized website to manage projects and tasks on the go. This helps employees keep track of their tasks, even as they are travelling without a computer or commuting to the office. Being able to see your tasks on the go is a great way to be mindful of the amount of work you must complete within a project.
Potential Issues with Task Management Software
Micromanaging — Task managers may assign goals that lead workers to become hyper-focused on certain areas. This can lead teams to forget about other goals and not be able to shift priorities in the middle of a task.
Not Setting Effective Goals — A task manager’s main function is to assign tasks. That being said, they may feel the pressure to assign tasks just for the sake of it. This can lead to task managers not setting goals that directly contribute to key performance indicators and the overall success of the company. The best way to alleviate this problem is for task managers to routinely meet with management positions that understand which tasks are the most important to complete.
