17 December 2024

WorkZone’s Review: A Closer Look

By Ronald Smith

When it comes to web-based project management tools, Basecamp is usually the first one that comes to mind. It’s known for being simple and easy to use, without needing much training. I personally appreciate its simplicity, but sometimes I feel like it’s too basic. There are a few features that I wish it had. However, I don’t want to use a complicated tool like MS Project either.

So, I recently came across WorkZone, this cool tool that offers more flexibility than others out there. I thought I’d give it a shot, and let me tell you, I was pretty impressed! Sure, it takes a little bit of time to get used to for administrators, but trust me, the extra features are totally worth it. And here’s the best part – admins have the power to turn off features they don’t want to use, making it easier for the team to get up to speed.

WorkZone: Getting Started

The WorkZone interface is super simple for your team members to use on a daily basis. The top menu is clean and easy to understand:

While admins might spend some time in the Setup section, most team members will be working from the Project Tracker tab. As soon as they log in, they’ll land on that page, and let me tell you, it’s as simple as can be.

In the top left corner, this is what they’ll see:

So, check it out – I’ve got this awesome feature to show you. It’s all about switching up your view to see what everyone’s working on. You can see it as a list of tasks, or maybe as a fancy Gantt chart. Oh, and don’t forget, you can also look at a list of products or check out the latest team activities.

But I have to say, the star of the show is the Task list. It’s super easy to understand, just like this screenshot:

With just one glance, you can see exactly who’s responsible for what, and even when everything is due. Plus, that nifty status column keeps you in the loop if something’s running a bit behind.

Oh, and see those cute little red comment balloons in the PROJECT/TASK column? That’s your signal that there are new comments to check out. Click on a task and ta-da! The comments pop up for you to read:

When I use this interface, I can easily see when there are new comments in the system. It’s really simple to add comments to tasks, projects, and documents whenever it makes sense. Plus, I don’t have to worry about missing any messages because I receive email updates whenever a comment is added.

Another thing that you’ll notice is a blue email button on almost every screen. You can use that button to easily stay in touch. And if you set it up as an admin, users will also get automatic email alerts about upcoming tasks and more. I’ll explain more about that in just a moment.

Some people might say that this interface is a bit basic, but I actually like it that way. It gets rid of all the extra stuff you find on social networks and focuses on what really matters – who is talking and what they are talking about.

This screen also gives you direct access to any documents you need, as well as project and task information.

Once I finish a task, I just have to go back to the Task List, click the box in the status column, and mark it as complete:

What I really like about all of this is how simple the interface is. You wouldn’t need much or any training to teach your team how to use it.

The reports tab is also important for your team. If I had one complaint about WorkZone, it would be that the sidebar looks a little intimidating, but it’s actually not that complicated. These reports provide the same information as the Task List, but make it easy to find specific things.

Other platforms could really benefit from having this reports section, but they’ve avoided it because they’re afraid it will make their interface look cluttered. Personally, I think it’s worth it.

The most helpful thing about this tool is the To-do list. It’s a feature that lets you see what tasks you have coming up. It’s like the task list, but just for you.

If you turn it on, you can also see what other team members are working on.

These kinds of reports are what make WorkZone really handy when you have lots of people and projects to manage. It can get confusing trying to figure out who is doing what and when. And if you’re wondering about the price, it starts at $200 per month.

Why Should I Use This Project Management Tool?

So, overall, what can WorkZone help you with?

    As someone who manages tasks and projects, I find it important to have certain features that enhance productivity. When it comes to task management software, there are a few things that I believe are vital for efficient workflow.

    First off, I need a tool that allows me to schedule tasks and manage their dependencies. With WorkZone, I can easily set up tasks in a way that ensures if one deadline is missed, it automatically pushes forward the subsequent tasks. This feature is missing in Basecamp, and it can make a big difference in staying on track with project timelines.

    Another feature that I find lacking in many task management tools is the ability to create subtasks. While it’s important not to go overboard with subtasks, there are certain tasks that require breaking them down into smaller goals. Unfortunately, not all software accommodates this, and it becomes a design flaw for those of us in management.

    Lastly, I appreciate the flexibility of having a cross-project view in my task management software. The Task List in WorkZone, for example, doesn’t limit my view to a single project at a time. This is crucial for businesses, even small ones, that have multiple projects going on simultaneously. Software that is designed with a single-project focus may be suitable for startups, but it’s not always the best choice for businesses with multiple projects.

    Overall, these features – task dependencies, subtasks, and cross-project views – are essential for effective task management and project success. By having them in place, you can streamline your workflow and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. So, whether you’re a manager or an individual contributor, it’s worth considering these factors when choosing a task management tool.

  • Keeping Track of Time – With WorkZone, I can easily see where and by whom time is being used. This helps me allocate resources more efficiently. Although it’s not a time tracker app like Toggl, it’s great to have time tracking integrated with my project management software.

Putting everything together, I won’t claim that WorkZone is better than Basecamp, but I will say that it’s a better choice for entrepreneurs and managers dealing with something complex. It offers a simple and collaborative interface in a project management tool.