If you decide to start your own business and even manage to start your own staff, then you will encounter the need to streamline the work. So, for this you will have to learn how to use Trello. This program can become an indispensable assistant that will facilitate project management and make work easier, easier and more fun.
History
Software first appeared in 2011. It was released on September 13th as a free web application. Fog Creek Software worked on it.
If in total, then the program helps to manage projects according to a certain paradigm called kanban. This method became popular thanks to Toyota, which used it as a managerial supply model.
Now software offers partial free use with available paid add-ons. This year, the app was purchased by the Australian company Atlassian for half a billion dollars.
Toyota Japanese philosophy
Before you understand how to use Trello, you need to understand what the Kanban paradigm means. From Japanese, this word translates as "billboard." Therefore, the web application is executed as a sign.
Kanban is a business organization system that helps implement the “on time” principle. The last concept is a common logistic concept.
The term itself appeared a very long time ago. It is associated with a description of actions when the site wizards indicated on the leaflets a list of completed tasks and posted such lists side by side. The system itself was implemented by Toyota. Then no one knew what Trello was and how to use it.
By the 60s, the company decided to experiment with such a system, and a few years later transferred all production to this method.
The essence of this paradigm is that the manufacturer created an annual plan for the production and sale of cars, and on its basis began to form monthly periods for the plans and daily average. Each of them was based on existing customer demand.
Daily schedules worked only on the most important conveyor, and for the remaining subsections an indicative monthly plan was enough. The company was confident that such a just-in-time business method could indicate defects that were detected through daily monitoring.
Program
So, before us is a very popular project management system - Trello. How to use this program, not everyone knows. We will talk about this further.
Software is popular with small companies and organizations that are just starting out. He will help organize effective work following the example of Japanese Kanban philosophy.
Its application has gained popularity for a long time, since it has been working since 2011. Most users for themselves highlighted several positive qualities that still attract new fans to this software:
- simplicity of the interface;
- the possibility of free use;
- convenient work;
- interaction with different services.
Next, we consider each of these features.
Everything ingenious is simple
How to use Trello is not immediately clear. But thanks to the simple interface, understanding this is very simple. Under this advantage lies an even greater number of advantages. For example, you can simply implement this service in your work, while your staff will be able to quickly and easily learn it.
Simplicity can be noticed by looking at similar applications. For example, we all know Bitrix24, but it is very difficult to call it a simple service. But the same thing is easy to say about Trello.
The whole interface is based on kanban boards. It all looks like if you had a limitless white board with stickers in your office. A similar tool is useful for distributing tasks among certain types. Typically, most of them are classified as:
- planned;
- current;
- completed.
Physical boards can really be upgraded, but still they do not give complete freedom. In addition, in order to draw up such a board you need to have a cool imagination, but not everyone has it.
The structure of the virtual platform is more flexible. It also consists of boards that have several columns with lists (cards). When you get acquainted with Trello by someone’s example, you’ll understand how to use the program right away.
Of course, even on a virtual platform, you will need imagination to conveniently set tasks, statuses and comments.
For example, if you have a news site, you can create several boards that are dedicated to different tasks. One is for journalists, the second for editors, the third for photographers, and even for designers, optimizers, etc.
Free
Another advantage we have indicated is accessibility. In our case, it is not conditional, but full. The application works according to the freemium-model for effective task management. Trello always works for free, without trial periods.
But the functionality of the service is slightly limited: less integration, the amount of downloaded documents, the lack of custom wallpapers. For most small startups, the Business version will prove to be an absolutely useless and waste of money.
To fit in the free version, it’s enough not to upload files larger than 10 MB. You can use the cloud to store photos, and leave only links in the boards.
Convenience
Accessibility is supplemented by the fact that it is quite realistic to use the program on different devices: smartphones and tablets. Moreover, the convenience of editing is provided on absolutely any device.
If you correctly develop the structure, then more than 50 people will be able to comfortably interact through this service, without any guidance on productive work at Trello. Everything will depend only on the leader and his goals.
The program helps to quickly assess the extent of progress and the success of the process. Moreover, all this happens in real time. Now a large number of media and small editions use this application. It is important only at the first stage to think carefully about the design principle.
Using
How to use trello.com in the Russian version will not raise questions. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to briefly give some recommendations and explain the principle of the service. Since we have the kanban method, all our tasks must be completed on time.
To do this, fill out the cards with tasks, post on the board in a certain column. As tasks complete, lists move.
The service can conditionally be divided into three parts: a board, a list and a card. As you already understood, a board is a work surface, it is divided into columns that are implemented by lists, and each list has cards.
A card is a working tool that describes a task. It can be moved between other cards, and between lists, and even boards. For each task, you can assign a responsible person.
Lists are also copied, moved and archived. The menu with the board itself is easy to fix, and the work surface is added to your favorites so as not to lose the most important events.
There are several access modes for each board. Private can be viewed only at the invitation of the owner. The team version is used by all team members, and the public version can be allowed into the world.
To whom?
An overview of how to use the Trello service will be useful to anyone who accidentally encounters this article. The fact is that such a task board is needed not only for business people, small companies and start-ups.
Trello helps with a huge number of unusual tasks. We will consider some of the most common ways to use this service:
Study. If you recently graduated from a university or school, you still remember how difficult it is sometimes to remember all the necessary tasks. All information received must be at least somehow fixed and structured. You can also use the board to study a particular course. In this case, training videos will fall into one list, books in the second, articles in the third, etc.
Work . Yes, we have already examined how to use the board in your profession. But what if we need her to look for work. If you are tired of being unemployed and seriously want to do this, then Trello will definitely help you. For each employer with whom you are negotiating, you can have a separate card. Then it will be easier for you to follow the answers and interviews.
Desires . It has now become popular to map desires and goals. To transfer everything to the virtual world, you can use the monitored service. It is easy here not only to record your dreams, but also to visualize them. You can create lists with travel, training, events, etc.
Repair . If life has faced you with a repair, then the program will easily cope with this problem. To organize everything, sort through the shelves and create stages. So, you can put your desires on one list, send real opportunities to the second, and prioritize actions in the third.
Travel This service is also needed for active travelers. It is definitely not suitable for those who are going to lie in the sun. But if you plan to visit several cities in one country in a couple of weeks, then Trello can easily cope with any task. You will not forget to buy tickets, book a hotel, indicate the necessary places to visit and food. You can add maps and photos of attractions.
conclusions
Trello is a really cool and versatile tool. It can be used for any purpose. Maybe you want to organize a cool birthday or just plan next year. You have a bunch of opportunities to visualize your ideas and cool them out.
For small companies, this service is a must have. It helps a large group of people interact. And the leader to monitor the quality and timely completion of tasks.