You’re a creative strategist who needs to manage projects. What’s the best software tool for you?

As a creative, the ideal tool to choose will depend on the particular needs of your team. Zeplin.io can be a perfect fit if design collaboration is your main area of interest. Miro is great for ideas and visual collaboration. Notion can be the best option for you if you require a flexible application that integrates note-taking, documentation, and project management. To bring everything together, Asana or Wrike can be a reliable, solid and organized ''virtual office'' to pile all your work.

There's a lot more to software then what's listed above, especially if you're in tech or architecture. That said, try out several platforms to find out what helps you most. There's plenty of project management platforms that even include tear sheets and client access. And when it comes to a platform that'll make you and your client experience better, what you don't know can cause a problem. So again, test several out, and ask other pros in your industry what the benefits and costs are to the software they use.

I agree 100% with the above Benefits Analysis. The wrong software can complicated the process, cost you sleep, loss of revenue, and sometimes clients. So get clear about what you want and the role the software will fill - how do you want to be supported?

Je conseille vivement Notion, une plateforme polyvalente et intuitive, pour ses nombreux avantages dans la gestion de projet : Interface Polyvalente : il permet la création de bases de données, de listes de tâches, de tableaux de bord, et bien plus encore, offrant une flexibilité exceptionnelle dans la structuration des projets. Collaboration Facilitée : Les équipes peuvent travailler en temps réel, commenter, partager des idées et assigner des tâches, tout en gardant une vue d'ensemble sur l'avancement du projet. Centralisation des Informations : Notion permet de regrouper tous les éléments d'un projet (notes, fichiers, liens, calendriers) en un seul endroit Intégrations et Automatisations il permet même de créer ses propres intégrations.

The most helpful tool I’ve found for creative teams is a combination of Asana and Frame io. Asana let’s you create projects due with instructions and frame io let’s you give feedback with time stamps on videos or general feedback for images. Then with automation you can upload the creative directly to your team’s google drive folder and update the Asana status

In my agency, we use Notion to create client portals for each new project. These include all the iterations, documents, deadlines. We also adapt universal product roadmaps for roadmaps of the creative project. For brainstorming, we use FigJam. Frame.io is ideal for handling various assets.

I’m reliant on, and live, Evernote. It’s where I manage all my projects. I have folders for each client, and notes for different topics, including a Main note for general admin details, a 1x1 Interviews note where I keep track of verbatim interview notes, a Competitive note where I collect competitive insights, a Strategy Ideas note where I collect and refine ideas throughout the project, and others for specific aspects of each relationship and scope of work. It’s a system of notes I replicate for each client. I also live that it sync on my phone and computer so I can capture thoughts wherever I am.

This is an interesting question. Normally a Project Manager or Producer is responsible for managing projects. That’s the way I set it up in my company as project management is a discipline in itself requiring a high degree of skill. Whether it be a Producer, Project Manager or Creative Strategist utilizing an online platform is essential these days. There are many platforms but be sure to use one with solid GANTT chart capabilities. A well thought out and properly maintained GANTT chart is the best tool in my experience.

Choosing the best software tool for project management as a creative strategist depends on various factors, including your team's needs, the complexity of your projects, and your preferred workflow. Before selecting a tool, consider factors such as your team size, collaboration requirements, integration needs, and your preferred work style. Many tools offer free trials, so you can experiment with a few to find the one that aligns best with your creative strategy and project management needs.

Before I plug anything into Auto Cad, Revit, Foyr Neo, Canva, Excel, or Word, I sketch and mind-map by hand. The touch factor of hand motion and pens, pencils, markers on paper always help me get into the project more fully, and there is some science to back up this flow experience. Software is just an organizer, editing/proofing tool, and a way to share or present with others more easily - at least for me.

One of the most convenient and effective tools I’m still using and have onboarded my creative and marketing teams on is actually the FREE version of Trello as I’m able to attain the following very simply; - Individual accountability - Individual correspondence as per set task rather than using a single medium to discuss everything and getting things lost in translation - The ability to enable team members individually with project management skills - Collective and filtered overview on progress - Accessibility to what’s required as and when It’s no rocket science and going through R&D to determine tools is just a waste of time when keeping it SIMPLE is the often the best way to go about things