Teams of all sizes can be hard to manage, but project management tools like Monday, Asana, Trello, Clickup, and UpWork can help. Small and medium-sized businesses tend to manage assignments easier without an automated or digitalized system, but these systems add a layer of redundancy.
Positive change will benefit everyone in your organization, but some departments will benefit more than others. The sales and HR departments work 9-5, but designers and developers may be freelancers and work off-hours or at their own pace, so making information available to them is important.
An effective project management tool can be used by your designer as follows:
Set Realistic Deadlines
Your designer is responsible for meeting deadlines, but it is important to communicate expectations before assigning tasks using a project management tool. Full-time designers may be able to turn around assignments within a day, but freelance and part-time designers may not. Communicate turnaround expectations beforehand, and prioritize important tasks as soon as possible.
Be Prepared for Questions
Assigning something like "Create 5 new social media graphics for my client" may seem like enough detail for your designer to begin, but a good designer will want to clarify expectations as much as possible. Almost all project management tools have a section for "comments" or "questions"; always pay attention to them! In order to provide the best service to your clients and designers, clarify questions as much as possible.
Utilize Supplemental Communication Tools
Meeting expectations and following up on critical assignments can be made much easier with team chat tools. A project management tool may have built-in chat functionality, and an integration option for team chat, or it may require you to use a separate chat feature. However, all effective project managers need instant messaging as a means of enhancing communication between designers and management.
Assure the Right People get the Assignment
Design projects are characterized by collaboration, but no one enjoys seeing assignments on their project boards that they have no part in. Having cluttered project boards adds unnecessary stress to the design team's workload and leads to missed assignments.
Expect Delays
Do not fret if delays and missed assignments become apparent due to project management tools. The design process is time-consuming and requires a great deal of effort. Be sure to allow your designers to let you know when they fall behind on deadlines and don't reprimand them for small errors which are easily communicated via your team chat or project management tool.
Using effective project management tools can increase workflow and client satisfaction for designers and project managers alike.
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