Time management involves a sense of urgency, while task management involves setting priorities.
Different types of task management tools use different approaches for efficient and successful task and time management in industries such as engineering, technology, accounting, and many others. The best tools use a few simple but essential features: a real-time view of a project or task, easy collaboration between all relevant parties, easy updating and tracking of resources used and available. Task management tools should also provide ease of access, task simplification, and multi-site project management. Different types of tools can be built around the different tasks and time management needs of a specific industry or around the task management methodology itself.
Some types of task management tools are designed to meet the need for collaboration.
Corporations and small businesses need to be able to manage teams that may be spread across the globe and work across different time zones. The ability of task management tools to provide a detailed, real-time view of all aspects of a given project or set of tasks is critical to business success. For example, a laser manufacturer may have a headquarters located in Texas, sales representatives located in many different countries, and a factory in Taipei. If the president or even the most junior employee requires access to the details of a specific project, online task management tools can provide it in real time.
Task management involves completing tasks within a specified time period.
Some types of task management tools are designed to meet the need for collaboration. These task management tools allow users to focus and manage their own tasks and securely save or store all task-related documents, meeting notes, and group discussions. Bringing together a series of tasks into multiple groups, along with related information and documents, enables more effective team collaboration. In the context of the global business environment, real-time team collaboration between all involved parties, regardless of their physical location, is critical and enables a business or organization to complete multiple project tasks faster and earn more.
Task management tools can help streamline communication.
Task management tools can also be built around the importance of providing task status and project updates. These applications are designed to adapt to the progress of a particular project or set of tasks. Some members involved in a specific project may not be involved in all the projects a company or organization is working on. This type of task management tool separates, organizes and informs the parties involved. A project manager will need to be informed of all projects under her direct supervision, while a lower-level worker may only need status updates for the project he is involved with. These types of task management tools can also automatically update relevant parts via email, text, or other digital means of communication.