Pratham Mittal
In a previous article, we talked about the benefits of using project management tools for remote work. Whether you’re a startup or a small business or even a large one with unlimited finances at your disposal, it’s definitely worth your while using these tools to bring efficiency to the way you work or your outsourcing efforts.
The utility of a tool really depends on how well we use it. Here are some best practices to keep in mind while using these tools:
1. Delegation
The tasks should be assigned to a single developer/team member, not the entire team. This keeps the individual accountable.
2. Deadlines
It’s imperative to have deadlines in place for all tasks and to keep the team accountable to those deadlines. Thus, involving the developers while setting deadlines is necessary.
While assigning deadlines, make sure you’ve accounted for
- Changes to scope
- Errors in prediction
- Time spent planning, designing and testing
- Local holidays
We recommend budgeting extra time before setting a launch date and asking to translate the 60 days of development work to an estimated date of completion that includes holidays and weekends etc.
3. Maintain Lists
You should have a centralized place where you maintain a list of bugs and a list of ideas for the next version. Over time, it will be difficult to track everything. Often, they will exist on your Evernote, on your iPhone notes and as scribbles on paper but try to keep them consolidated.
4. Keep it Clean
With time, the tool can become extremely messy with Dropbox links, red marks due to missed deadlines, comments, unattended tasks etc. For the sake of the team’s sanity, it’s extremely important that the tool is kept clean and updated regularly.
5. Setup Guidelines
If you understand the tool, do not take it for granted that each team member understands how to use it. Sometimes team members will forget to update their statuses or log the bugs in the right list or they may not have notes about the scrum meetings etc. Thus, it becomes imperative to maintain clear guidelines and hold the team accountable to them.
In conclusion, by establishing these best practices, you will be able to use your project management tools efficiently and leverage them to your advantage.
For more tips on how to keep your software development project on track and coordinate seamlessly with remote teams, download our Ebook Outsourcing 101. It’s packed with some great tips and advise and promises to become an invaluable companion to you.
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