In The Next Version

In my Predictions for 2012 blog post I wrote that one of the trends I'm seeing is a surge in new project/task/time management tools focused on Getting Work Done. My Constellation colleagues and I are working on a report that will cover this topic in more detail, but for now I wanted to share with you a few of the factors that I think are contributing to this occurrence and differentiate the new generation of tools from ones like Microsoft Project.

1. The web - Back in 2004, 37 Signals pioneered web-based project management with Basecamp. Today people are more accustomed to web-based solutions than they were back then.
2. Mobile - Similar to the point above, people today expect easy access to their information anytime anywhere.  Mobile task list and notifications make this simple. The cameras on mobile devices are also handy tools for helping with task management by adding photos or even video conferencing.
3. Social - Activity streams have made broadcasting what we're doing commonplace. This lends itself well to task management, allowing people to discover, comment on and even favourite what people are doing.
4. Analytics/Gamification - Badges, leader boards and Infographics are all useful features to help motivate and reward people as they complete tasks/projects.
5. Simple - You don't need to be a Sigma Six blackbelt to use these new emerging tools. (Unlike the perception around overly complicated tools like MS Project)

The following is the list of products I've been tracking. They do not all fit into exactly the same bucket though. Some have been around for a few years while others are still in private beta. Some do just project management while some are part of a larger collaboration platform. I'd appreciate your feedback on tools that are missing plus ideas on how to best group the various offerings.

AgileZen - Project Management Gets Lean
Any.Do - Make things happen.
Asana - Task Management For Teams
Basecamp - Keep you projects together.
Bettermeans - Open, Democratic Project Management
Cubevibe - Engaged Employees Perform Better
Do (SalesForce) - The Social Productivity App for Your Team. (+Rypple Social Goals)
Fellowstream - What are you working on?
Google Schemer - Discover new things to do, share schemes with friends, and make the most of your day. (experiment)
IBM Activities - Organize your work and use your network to help execute
LiquidPlanner - Online project management software for planning, tracking, and collaboration
MangoProjects - Keep teams informed, in sync and involved
MindJet cohuman - Easily delegate, track & prioritize your work
Neudesic Pulse Tasks - Make Your Work Matter
Podio - Work the way you want.
Producteev - Your To-dos. Everywhere.
Rule - Rule makes it easy to get your work and discussions under control.
SAP Streamworks - Collaborative Decision Making
Socialcast Strides (VMware) - A new way to play the game of work
Sparqlight - The Enterprise Social Workflow Application
TeamWork Live - Run Successful Projects
Traction Teampage - TeamPage Project Mastery
Tracky - Easily get things done with anyone, anywhere.
Trello - Organize anything, together.  
Vantage - The social approach to project management
Wunderkit - A new way to organize your life.
WorkSimple - Put Social Goals To Work For You
Yodiz - Better Project Management


Additional Reading:
Time/Task/Project frameworks: Getting_Things_Done , Kanban , Covey

Tweet