Graphic Design Podcast :: The Deeply Graphic DesignCast

The Ultimate Project Organization Method

By: Wes McDowell
Apr 13th, 2016

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One of the biggest game-changers for your design business is when you figure out how to get your projects organized.

In this episode, the gang is joined by Word Revolution‘s Barbara Carneiro. She has an amazing method of pre-organizing her website and branding projects within her online project management software program that allows her to simply add a new client project, duplicate the pre-existing tasks, and voila — her and her team have a bullet-proof list of every single task that lays ahead of them.

Not only does this keep her business organized, but it gives her clients a way to keep up with the progress, and it keep them on track with anything assigned to them as well. Win-win.

You can use this method with just about any project management program, including Basecamp, Teamwork, even the free Trello. While we mostly talk about how to organize web design projects, this method can absolutely be used to organize any type of project.

Download Barbara’s checklist here

We also answer a listener question about how to build a relationship with the ultimate decision-maker on your client’s team.

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discuss this post

(5) responses

Sean Jamshidi

April 15, 2016

I did enjoy this episode. Some very good points. At 19:20 I heard of some spec work done, however fast or efficient she described it to be, I think that sets a bad example for designers. I know she uses it as a sales tool but spec work is still spec work.

Wes McDowell

April 15, 2016

I think Barbara was just referring to initial discovery, not actual design work on spec. And actually, I believe she charges for her discovery too, so it’s really not even “spec” work in the true sense.

Sean Jamshidi

April 15, 2016

Cool. Great information otherwise.

Barbara Carneiro

April 21, 2016

Hi Sean, we don’t do spec work. We go through the whole process of discovery without sending any layouts or mockups as those only come once client agrees with the actual project and initial payment is in.

Discovery is also paid, so once clients see the process they have agreed and paid for discovery. We have done free discovery in the past, maybe that’s where the confusion is coming from. But totally agree with you, no spec work on our end either.

Michelle Munksgard

April 24, 2016

Thank you for the checklist Barbara! I need to get organized and this is a great starting point and guide to get me started. Listening to you talk about the process makes the checklist that much more valuable as well! Great podcast!