Hi there,

Just wondering if we are using BackPackIt correctly or whether anyone can feedback some improvements:

We use Backpackit to control clients web projects. We’ve reviewed BaseCamp (PM) but this may just offer a little more than necessary for our clients.

For example project a new Page is created for each client which is broken up into sections:

—Cient Review/Feedback and Raised tasks —> [] tasks

—JSWeb to action —> [] tasks

—Design Images -> Uploaded images/files

We use SHARING to grant access to the Page to a “client” and “developer”.

The client adds tasks under the “Client Review/Feedback and Raised” section and our Developer adds under the “to action” section.

This all works well but we have raised a few nice to haves:

1. Currently the developer is having to review each open page (one for each assigned project) multiple times a day to check if any changes have been made (it would be great if emails could be sent out to the SHARED clients informing them that changes have been made).

The client for example may add a set of new tasks and when finished sends out a broadcast.
The developer may complete a set of tasks or raise questions and want to send out a broadcast asking the client to review.

2. It would be great if PRIVATE List/tasks could be raised between SHARED individuals e.g. ADMIN <> CLIENT or ADMIN <> Developer. For example if would be great to have a new LIST added that is only shared between the ADMIN <> Client and used to discuss project costs (not visible to the developer).

3. Read/Write: Allow for a new SHARE to be added to the Page but not allow them to WRITE (only READ) the page.

4. Back onto the topic of emails ;) – Once we have created a page we SHARE the page with clients. They first of all get the status of “These people haven’t made accounts yet: xxx@xxxx.com” << It would be great if you can [Send Reminder]

5. We now have a growing list of pages (right hand side). How are other organising these? It would be great to allow use to order them under sections. This would allow us to keep our projects focussed.

I hope they aren’t too confusing – we welcome any feedback.

jsweb – I think for all practical purposes, you ought to get your team onto Basecamp instead. Issues 1, 3, 4, 5 are addressed in Basecamp. Issue #2 comes up all the time in the Basecamp forums, but 37signals maintains (and I support) that good project management includes transparency and visibility. Other than C-level budget discussions (which you’re right to keep above the fold), everything ought to be visible to everyone.

We have several of the same situations in my agency, and Basecamp works well for all of these. The budgeting and most-sensitive types of issues are usually really peripheral to the work (personality conflicts, pricing discussions, contractor costs, etc.) are peripheral to the actual work, and so that’s where we use direct email between two people.

Hope that helps. I’d recommend giving Basecamp a try on the free or $12 plan and move your projects gradually in a pilot phase, then see how it goes. Would love to hear if it works for you.

Thanks Isaac—In agreement with true PM. It looks like BaseCamp should at least be tried out..

Thanks once again.