Until now I have managed outsourcing with the use of a simple spreadsheet. However, I am now I am using more and more I need something to manage it all a bit better.
Just simple things really like reminding me to chase them up, or even better an app they can log into and let me know when they have completed set milestones (something similar to the Elance system).
So, before I 'knock somthing up' in VB, is there anything you know of that is already out there at a decent price?
do you just need a basic project management system? If so something like Pivotal Tracker is simple-as to use, and free, and web based. Or I've heard some good things about Traq, although I've not used it. I'm sure there are loads out there which will do the basics for you and its just a case of finding out what works for you and/or whether you want it to also be a time management software.
Cheers Gurtie, I'll check those out.
I don't need anything too complex, just something where I can set milestones and reminders.
I setup Project Pier a couple years ago for this exact purpose. Open source, php. It was overkill for my needs so I didn't use it, but worth looking at.
http://www.projectpier.org/
Also came across this when I couldn't remember the name:
http://mastersinprojectmanagement.org/top-25-open-source-project-management-apps.html
We use : http://www.taskfreak.com
No bells or whistles, but does the job
Going through a similar process myself at the moment. I really wanted to use basecamp because it integrates easily with several other tools that I use. However it just didn't do it for me. I've tried about a dozen since. One common flaw I have found is that if you have a few projects running they just bury you in information - literally trying to show you everything at once. That was doing my head in - making me more confused that not using the software.
I'm currently trialling a system called goalkeeper (goalkeeper.rs) which looks promising. Documentation is ropey, but the software looks good.
Thanks for all the ideas. There is some good stuff there, but I have decided to write something that will integrate with my site management database, that way I should be able to track spend against earnings easier.