Do you ever feel like all you do is work? Have you ever stopped to evaluate YOUR TIME in an effort to manage it better? Here are some tips on time management and the tools to help you!

In the past few weeks I have been recording the time I spend on various tasks (i.e. SEO, development, admin) in order find out where all the hours disappear to!  I have found I spent much more time on administrative tasks than I initially thought and was seriously neglecting time on generating new clients.

Now I intend to create a time budget (based on the ideal number of hours I work a day) which I can then split between various tasks.  This should help me plan my working week better and stop me cramming in too much development with very little prospecting.

Tools for the job

Now I already have a CRM system which takes care of all my invoicing so I was looking for a simple online application which would allow me (and anyone else) to log time spent on a task.  Nothing fancy...here is what I found:

Track My People

Very easy to use simply add trackers and log time against them.  Still in it's infancy (I hope) because there are some fundamental bugs and UI issues...but it shows promise...an it's FREE!

Toggl

Bit too over complicated and busy looking for me.  It does the job but could be simpler.  Still it's FREE for up to 20 users.

TimeIQ

Very simple and solid looking app and allows you to assign tasks to employees. Can host a team of up to 5 for only $15pm.

Live Timer

Very easy and quick to get to grips with to use with its concept of a time ledger.  Costs $5 per user per month.  This is one I chose because it is designed to work with the iPhone and allows you to log time against a set of generic tasks.

Managing your time could not be easier.  So why not start today and find out exactly where all your precious time is going!!

The following principles are taken from the Agile Manifesto and applied to web design.  The similarities between software and website development are hardly surprising.  But to those with a graphic design background the concepts of Agile may seem quite foreign.

Software: Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.

Web design: Clients can struggle to visualise their website from sketches and graphics.  Delivering a working copy early on will help the client become more involved and increase the chances of final sign-off/approval.

Software: Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.

Web design: Update the working copy of the website regularly.  This allows the client to play with their website and understand what they have asked for, which in turn prompts more feedback and potential change.

Software: Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer's competitive advantage.

Web design: Embrace feedback and change from the client.  Change is not costly if it is dealt with early and regularly.  You will never deliver the perfect website first time...it must be allowed to evolve.

Software: Simplicity--the art of maximizing the amount of work not done--is essential.

Web design: Do not waste time and money designing or developing something which is not required.  Start with a basic concept, which meets the relevant requirement, and let it evolve with the website.

Software: Working software is the primary measure of progress.

Web design: An effective website doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles.  Ensure you get the basics in place; then take it furhter if an when necessary.

Software: Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.

Web design: Web standards and best practices should be engrained in a website from day one.  Your working copy is your final copy!

Software: Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.

Web design: The client is the business expert and the website owner.  Only by working together can you ensure you meet their requirements.  Smaller projects may not require getting together daily but at least check in once a week.

Software: Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.

Web design: Make use of tools and resources and refine your processes to ensure you maintain momentum during website development.

Software: Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.

Web design: Make sure you use your team effectively.  Play to each other's strengths and make use of the right tools to get the job done.

Software: The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.

Web design: Team communication is vital.  Make sure you get together once in a while.

Software: The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.

Web design: The team knows when things aren't working so it should be up to the team to improve.

Software: At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.

Web design: Review team performance to highlight strengths and weaknesses.  Work on the weaknesses next time but remember to play to your strengths!