Managing a team is no easy feat. The fact that managers are paid more than their staff speaks of the weight of their responsibility. Even in a small business where the owner typically assumes the role of the manager, the process is just as challenging. After all, you are dealing with people with different temperaments and habits, no matter how few. That is why you need all the help you can get.
Thankfully, there are team management tools and software at your disposal. And they are free to use, too. Here are the top choices for you to explore.
1. Infinity
This team management tool boasts flexibility. So, if that’s one of your top considerations, consider Infinity. Here, flexibility manifests in the tool’s customizability. It can adapt to what your team needs for a given project. Furthermore, it supports app integration via Zapier. That way, you can have all your favorite apps within the same workspace.
Infinity makes collaboration easy via folders, boards, and items, as well. All of these, you can scale up or down to your liking. There are also 20 attributes you can use to further organize your to-dos. Workload navigation becomes stress-free thanks to Infinity.
2. Airtable
This cloud collaboration tool allows you to set a roadmap for the rest of your team. It’s perfect for planning and organizing projects. Within the Airtable workspace, you can sort and filter tasks according to their importance and your preference. That makes workload navigation easy, regardless of the number of to-dos you have on your plate.
Another upside of Airtable is its built-in applications. These include a webpage designer, a scheduler, and an email marketing tool. Moreover, task automation is also possible. Schedule meetings, send requests, approve projects, and process invoices via the software’s automation function.
3. Asana
Asana is a no-nonsense team management tool. With it, you can create and assign tasks and monitor deadlines. In between, you can share images and links necessary for the completion of a project.
Depending on the complexity of a project, you have the option to adjust the interface. Use the list view for simple to-dos. For complicated projects that entail the participation of multiple team members, you can employ the Gantt charts or Kanban boards. As for tracking tasks, you have list, board, or calendar views.
Asana also allows app integration. That means you can use other software essentials within the Asana workspace.
4.ClickUp
This management tool suits teams of all sizes. Whether yours is a large organization or a small startup, you can benefit from ClickUp’s powerful features. These include project planning, task scheduling, task management, and resource allocation, among others.
With ClickUp, collaboration is made easy. You can write and assign comments on posted tasks for asynchronous communication. If those prove insufficient, there’s real-time chat.
On the ClickUp workspace, you can filter, sort, and reorder tasks. Those who have multiple simultaneous projects will benefit from the tool’s easy search feature. Reporting features make post-project analysis more convenient.
5. Slack
This is perhaps one of the most popular team collaboration apps out there—and that’s for obvious reasons. Slack is reliable. It doesn’t hurt that it’s user-friendly, too.
Slack is a chat software that zeroes in on team communication. It has pre-set and random channels you can use to create groups, much like group chats. The app is also customizable should you need it to better suit your organization’s culture.
Slack offers both free service and paid plans. The former is enough for simpler team dynamics. Use it to collaborate with your group via direct messaging and push notifications, among other functions.
6. Basecamp
Basecamp’s key features include brainstorming, collaboration, document management, and calendar management. Those are basically everything you need to efficiently manage a team. On top of those, the tool also boasts helpful features such as customizable templates and live chats.
On Basecamp, you can pitch ideas via the message board. Meanwhile, other team members can comment. Once an idea gets the green light, everyone on the message board gets an update on its progress.
Another striking feature is the schedule manager, which allows automation of events subscriptions and meeting setup.
7. Avaza
It’s easy to confuse Avaza for the more popular Asana. But while it’s less renowned, it definitely has its own merits.
On Avaza, you can create tasks, assign projects, set deadlines, and establish priorities. These core functions are enough to ensure that all your team members are on the same page. If not, they get notifications.
As for viewing tasks, you can choose from simple lists to Gantt charts. These options make way for versatility, catering to a project’s complexity.
Avaza supports invoicing and integrates with Xero and QuickBooks. You can use the tool for free if you have no more than five people on your team.
8. Wrike
This is an award-winning team management tool. It features dashboards, workflows, request forms, and reports. All are customizable. On top of those, you also have resource management and reporting tools you can use to gain advanced insights into the progress of projects.
The Wrike interface is flexible. You can keep it simple with a list view. Or you can opt for Gantt charts or Kanban boards. Whichever template you choose, the home screen is easy to navigate.
Lastly, Wrike boasts 400+ prebuilt integrations, including Google, Dropbox, and Salesforce.
Wrapping Up
Whether managing a remote team an in-house staff, the challenges are more or less the same. From missed deadlines to misunderstood instructions, these roadblocks can slow down your business and make team management more challenging for you.
So, avoid them as much as you can. Be on top of every project by keeping sure that all team members are on the same page.
To help you out, use a team management tool or software that best suits your work style. Take into account your team’s preferred work style, as well. That way, you’re championing a truly collaborative workspace, which is something your team members will surely appreciate.
