Did you give me a task for that?
May 5, 2011 | Posted by Craig LePan
There are only a few things that account managers and designers share, but hatred for time tracking software is probably one of them. Words/phrases like 'did you fill in your time sheet?' or 'did you give me a task for that?' make the best of us run for the beer fridge.
At FLIPP, our first time tracking software was built in-house and although it served its purpose it was a lot like the Caddy in the Jonny Cash song "One piece at a time" and eventually we gave into the fact that we didn't have the time to work for free on creating our own program.
Our first experience with an off the shelf solution was Project Bubble. Although the set up and cost are both quite easy to take, the ability to interact with the software was a huge fail. Programmers and Designers were confused with the tasks and with the ability of the software to relay important project details. The account team was struggling with tracking project status and hick-ups with associating team members.
In a previous lifetime I worked with "Workamajig" who has now rebranded as "Creative-manager" (for obvious reasons... seriously - Workamajig?) I found this solution extremely bulky and confusing... and to top it off, expensive. Anytime you're calling the help line more than you're clients you know you're in trouble.
The biggest problem with creating a successful time tracking/invoicing program for creative professionals is that you're asking one program to speak to 2 distinctly different mindsets. The way that the Account Team wants to interact with the reporting and project analysis is 100% different then the way a creative wants to see a task list and interact with the content for any given project.
It's surprising that in such a large segment, no one service has grabbed the title of 'industry standard'. There are a ton of different programs out there right now competing for your business. To mention just a few:
Our next trial is with Harvest. www.getharvest.com I'll let you know how that's going later this month.
What are you using? Why do you like it? Why do you hate it? Let us know...we feel your pain.
