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Recently my work routine shifted from one primary employer and a side job, both primarily or exclusively from home, to two remote jobs with their own multiple projects, invoices, etc. Within one week I was feeling the need to get a LOT more organized and efficient.

For the past 2 years I have used the same project management and file sharing software as the rest of the team members in my primary job, (Microsoft Office Groove and Intelligantt.) Now that I am a little more “out on my own” (cool!), I have had to do some research into how I can replace such functions in my work life with software that is slightly more affordable for an individual like myself.

THE SOLUTION?

After a few recommendations, I decided to go with Basecamp. I signed up for a $24 a month basic account, which I’ll be sure to write off at the end of the year as a self-employed business expense. Note that this is a month-to-month charge and if I want to cancel at anytime, I can, without penalty. In the meantime, I have the following features with this account:

• 15 Active Projects
• 3 GB of space for files
• Unlimited Clients/Users

This means that I have unlimited invites into my workspace (my clients/employers/co-workers/whoever) who can be set to see only those projects that I want them to. Within each project, I have several basic functions:

• Messages: “Post messages, share project updates, ask questions, communicate.”
• To-Do Lists: Self-explanatory. (Set tasks, assign them to members of the project, create a deadline for them, etc.)
• Milestones: “Keep track of what’s due, when it’s due, and who’s responsible for doing it.” I have some more playing around with the software to see how this can integrate with the task list to set due dates, etc.
• Writeboards: “Writeboards make collaborative writing simple.” Need to review an email, or perhaps content for a webpage, together with other people? Enter Writeboards!
• Chat: If you don’t know what chat is, just give up and go fly a kite today.
• Files: “Upload, download, and share files related to this project.”(3 GB of space- Sah-weet!)

So far? I’m a fan!

NEXT STEP: DESKTOP TIMER

Now what I am looking for is the perfect (free?) little piece of software that will put a timer on my desktop and keep track of the hours I spend on things through out the day. For example, I would like to have a timer open with a label/name for each client, something I can pause and start throughout the day and then easily see at the day’s end how much time was spent working for each one. I’d like to stop keeping track of my time via sticky notes, and account for those little ten minutes of e-mail management here and there that I end up forgetting about! (And what WAHM wouldn’t love something easy to record her breaks for a diaper change with a quick pause button?)

Any one got any suggestions?

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