When you're task managing, computer-based applications give you the flexibility to stay organized from your desktop, laptop, cell phone or PDA. If you're in the market for a new task management application, simplify your decision-making process by using advice and ratings on task management software before you turn over your credit card number to any task management software provider.

Using advice and ratings from credible sources can help you eliminate a task application immediately because of poor performance, ease of use or functionality ratings and reviews. They can also quickly alert you to top-rated solutions available for your application. This guide looks at three sources to help you select your next task management software:

1. Websites that provide reviews and advice on task management software.

2. Blogs offering reviews and advice on task management program software.

3. Rating services offered by companies that evaluate task software and other technology products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for a trusted website that offers task software advice and reviews

Companies and websites focused on the latest developments in technology products provide useful insights when it comes to determining the value of products like task management software.

I recommend: Save the TopTenREVIEWS website to your list of favorites. The website offers detailed product reviews, buying guides, side-by-side comparisons of software with task application features and articles describing how to get the most from the task managing solution you purchase. To learn more about a particular task management program, go to a website like Computerworld (the online version of the popular print publication) that offers informative reviews and buying advice on different software products.

Find a credible technology blog to help you select a task program

Consider using reputable blogs as a great source for finding your next task management application. Often, these bloggers go out and research the software themselves and then tell you all the nuts and bolts of what they discovered in an interesting-to-read format.

I recommend: Bookmark credible blogs like Noah Coad's at MSDN Blogs. In his own quest to find task management software that fits his needs, he shares his selection criteria and reviews numerous software products with a task managing application. For advice on how to find a task program compatible with you and your work style, check out the blog by Thursday Bram at Lifehack.

Find a website that offers ratings for different task software

Ratings offer potential buyers a quick-reference tool for narrowing down a short list of task management software possibilities. Often times raters use criteria that are both objective and subjective, giving buyers a more complete picture of the product's performance and potential for use.

I recommend: Tucows, an Internet services company, provides its website visitors with a task management software list of ratings based on the popularity of the software. Tucows.com reviewers determine ratings using both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Visit the CNET site to review the editor's ratings and user ratings for the task mgmt solution that interests you. CNET prides itself on its knowledge of the latest technology products and uses that knowledge to provide buyers with knowledge, advice and tools for selecting the best task software or any other type of technology product on the market.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you find the task managing solution you think works best for you, ensure it easily allows you to prioritize the tasks you have and the new tasks you add to your list. If critical tasks remain buried in the middle and bottom of your list, your task management solution won't do you much good.

Task management computer programs can be a useful addition to your business. They can help you find the weak spots in your task program and discover your strongest areas, leading you to make improvements where necessary. A task management software list can save you time and valuable resources spent accumulating the data provided by your current task software. A task management software provider can help you to remain competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Find task management software that can analyze the collected data in ways that allow you to make formal presentations and to develop ongoing programs. Keep your task management program updated to remain in touch with emerging markets and changing economies. You can utilize a task management software provider to customize programs that are easy to use and pass on through your organization. There are a number of ways that you can integrate a task management application into your operations.

1. Try various task management computer programs

2. Hire a task managing solution specialist

3. Bring in a task managing application consultant to train your staff

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Investigate task software information

There are so many task program companies offering support software that it can be difficult to sort through all the options. Take time to check with your peers for referrals and investigate a number of different task application possibilities. Many companies will provide a free trial period. At the very least request a minimal trial time before you sign any long-term agreements to make sure the task managing solution is the right program for your needs.

I recommend: Hyper Office will provide free trials of its various management software programs. Orbisoft has free 45-day trials of its task management computer programs and tram project software to help you manage your office more efficiently.

Find task software specialists

So that you can spend your time running your business and doing what you do best, invest in an outside consultant to review your task software and make recommendations for the best task managing application for your company's needs. Consultants have had experience with the various vendors and often know which ones perform the best.

I recommend: CC Technology can customize task software to best serve the needs of your company. Project Perfect is a consulting firm that specializes in software to manages your projects more efficiently.

Train your staff to use task software

It won't do you any good to spend time and resources on updated task software if your employees won't use it or don't know how. Bring in experts to train your staff as well as be there for them when they have questions. Make sure the trainers understand your corporate culture and how to relate to your team so they will get excited about using the new technology.

I recommend: At Task has a variety of training and support options to best serve the needs of your employees and their ongoing interfacing with the software your employ. Task Manager provides online tutorials and live seminars to teach your staff how to best use the latest technology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Save on consulting services by purchasing your task managing computer program from the firm that provides the training and consulting.

There's an extensive array of task management software applications and uses. Task software can be used to organize large teams of co-workers who need to collaborate to get projects done. It's also a powerful tool for individual entrepreneurs and business owners. Task management software is most useful when multiple projects need attention, but also can keep track of little details that may otherwise be overlooked.

Determining what applications and uses you need beforehand will make it easier to find task management software. Some ideas of what to look for in a task managing solution include:

1. Task managing computer applications that can be used for collaboration and management of teams;

2. Simple task management applications to keep track of time and tasks for an individual;

3. A task management application that integrate with existing software for a complete solution.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use a task managing application for teams

Organizing task management for a team is a challenge. It's important to find software that is easy for management and employees to use. Managers can use it to communicate tasks clearly, keep track of completed projects, reassign when necessary, bring in additional team members to complete the next step of the project and keep in touch with employees. On the team member end, employees can use it to communicate with each other, prioritize and complete assigned tasks.

I recommend: VIP Quality Software features a team to-do list that project managers can use to organize teams as well as many other features. Orbisoft contains tools to separate main projects and subprojects for multiple team members. Compare other task and project management software solutions for teams at TopTenReviews.

Find task software for individuals

Individuals who work independently, either as entrepreneurs or telecommuters, can use simple task management solutions to plan their time and keep track of tasks. A software application that can help to break down individual tasks is helpful. Other uses for personal task management software include calendar programs and reminders.

I recommend: Achieve Planner from Effexis separates projects from tasks and features to-do lists and multiple project planning. MyLife Organized offers a simple calendar with reminders that can be used with portable devices.

Look for a task program that integrates with existing applications

One feature to look for in a task management program is integration with existing software. The ability to pull in information from existing databases and other applications can save a lot of time and effort.

I recommend: AtTask Inc. integrates with portals and databases to provide project management functions. Taskline from ResultsWare Limited and TrackerOffice are two products that integrate with Microsoft Office and Outlook.

Use Microsoft Office as a task application

Speaking of Microsoft Outlook, if you already have it, it can provide all the task management solutions you need. Outlook can be customized to manage time and tasks in several ways, like flagging messages by importance, setting rules for incoming mail and using calendar reminders. Other Microsoft Office products -- such as Access and Excel -- can also be used for task management. Office products have some advantages. Most users already have it, it's easy to use and, often, it's all that is necessary for your task management needs.

I recommend: Erack Network features a tutorial on using Outlook for effective task management. Microsoft offers a task management database template for Access. Shareware Connection has a Smartsheet template for Excel to be used for reminders and task management.

There’s obvious benefits to any strategy that helps you manage workflow. That’s why many businesses today are investing in software programs that monitor how tasks are assigned. Create visual displays of simple to do lists or more detailed reports showing the planned completion schedule for a major project. The right task management software can even help you spot instances of non-compliance with corporate procedures your company may depend on. Take a look at these key terms which highlight some of the most popular features of task management software programs.

Action Steps
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Reporting

The reporting feature of task management software allows you to transform task lists into printable reports. You can usually set up the reports so that they'll organize tasks by date due, date created, person responsible for assigning the task and the employee who is responsible for completing it.

I recommend: Go to Orbisoft for more information on custom reports you can generate and the programs you can export the task data into.

VIP to do list

A VIP to do list feature makes delegating and prioritizing tasks much easier. You can also get progress reports from the assignee that shows the rate of completion on the project. The VIP to do list can be sent to an employee's email or cell phone.

I recommend: VIP Quality Software explains the process involved in using VIP to do lists and how these lists help support staff set daily work goals.

Automatic scheduling

Automatic scheduling software will establish due dates on your tasks for you. You establish a start and finish time frame for a project and then list individual tasks necessary to complete it. Estimate how much time each task should take and the program automatically generates a schedule of completion for you.

I recommend: Take a look at the Achieve Planner feature of Effexis Software which automatically creates a schedule of task assignments.

Outlook interface

Many task management software programs include an Outlook interface. If your company uses Outlook email, you'll probably want a program with this feature. It allows the task managing program to automatically receive and log incoming tasks into a Project Manager's Project Plan.

I recommend: The benefits of the Outlook interface are explained by KM Sciences. Note how it gives users “behind the scenes” information on the tasks assigned.

Create task lists

A fundamental feature of task management software is the create task lists function. The user creates an automated version of a simple customized to do list, breaking down tasks according to whatever categories work best, such as person assigning the task, due dates or project.

I recommend: Project Manager explains how the create task lists function helps you distribute tasks equally among all team members.

Corporate compliance

If your office is just one part of a much larger corporation, you'll want task management software with corporate compliance capability. It helps you as a business leader conform to corporate procedures and tells you when your staff needs help in this department. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has made compliance at all levels of an organization a key priority.

I recommend: Atask’s corporate compliance software feature lets you create audit trails on tasks so you can spot compliance gaps before they turn into problems.