Kanban is a concept from agile project management that can help you get more done, fast! There are several digital kanban tools out there that can help you be even more productive.
According to TheTopTens website, here are Kanban software tools for personal use that ranked in their top 10 list.
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Kanban Tool – Offers a visual project management Kanban board and a free 30 day trial. Also used by 25,000 businesses and was top Kanban tool for business, as well as personal.
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Kanban Pad – The website claims it’s the “Happiest Project Management Tool on Earth.” I like the sound of that! Free tool and they state you can started in just a few minutes.
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Lino – Sticky note and photo sharing. Offers a fun visual display. Free to sign up and an app can be downloaded as well.
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Kanbanize – Offers a free trial, email integration, time tracking, and you can set up “if this, then that” rules for automating repetitive tasks. Claims “300% productivity increase without changing anything.”
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Virtual Kanban – This website is in beta testing and lets you go in and add tasks right from your screen. No need to register, log in, or download the tool. The functionality is basic, but if you’re looking for an idea of how Kanban could work for you, this would be a good tool. Of course, with any beta tool, you run a risk that there could be issues.
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Trello – Probably the most popular tool on this list. Free and lets you share your Kanban board with others, add members to your team. The best part is that it’s free! If you’re a list person, it’s a great way to visually capture ideas and all the moving tasks that need to go into projects.
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Kanban Flow – Nice feature where you can track your time using a Pomodoro timer. You can attach files to your board. Let’s you create a free account and there’s an option to upgrade to premium.
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Kanbanery – Free trial and low pricing per team member for premium accounts. Offers weekly project summary emails.
I’ve used Trello for writing my short story book, and also tried it out for a group project. I’m not sold on it, yet, though it’s okay. Partly, that’s because I have to get on my computer and actually open Trello in a window, so it isn’t just sitting in front of me all of the time. Also, for the group project it still became very difficult to keep track of ideas and our inboxes were flooded with emails every time any one of us did anything on trello.
I think the analog idea of a board on my office wall (or even stickies on the closet door) that I see all of the time might work better for me. Perhaps I’ll re-try Trello with just the three lists and see if I like that – having only one or two things in the in progress area is a good idea.
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your comment! I agree with you that the tough part about productivity tools like Trello is having to remember to open them. Unless I am diligent about building this into my daily routine, I will sometimes start a new tool, only to neglect it when things inevitably get busy.
One tip I use is to have my web browser (Google Chrome) automatically open up the 4-5 websites I use consistently. Instructions found at: http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/open-multiple-tabs-on-start-up-with-chrome
Lately, I’m needing the “hit-me-in-the-face” simplicity of pasting sticky notes on my wall. Helps keep me on task! 🙂
Courtney