Basecamp - online project collaboration and project tracking tool
Recently we have started using the Basecamp
online project collaboration tool to plan live video events and it has been very
successful. Here are some questions and answers about that product and how it
might fit in to a live video event planning.
Basecamp is a web service run by 37 Signals.
What problem does it solve for you?
-------------------------------------
We provide technical services for live events, using our own equipment,
equipment hired from suppliers, using volunteer crew, working for
clients who also have distributed teams working in their spare time etc.
The normal phonecalls, emails, SMS messages, approach wasn't really
working so we needed a better way of collaborating and communicationg
and organising ourselves.
What is it?
-----------
A project collaboration and project management service based on web 2.0
technologies
Synthesis of stuff you are probably doing in other ways, but brings it
all together And adds considerable value in the process because all
aspects of BC are designed to encourage communication and collaboration.
You get a url to log into, and can add other people in your company,
suppliers, clients etc and control who gets access to what.
What does it do?
----------------
Messages - Email really sucks for managing projects - no viewable
archive, so if you weren't copied into the thread you are stuck. Someone
coming late into a project e.g. graphic designer doesn't misses out on
the info.
BC - messages are all kept and are available to read, comment etc.
To do lists - do do lists that everyone on the team (including customers
can read, add to, tick off when completed, add comments to etc.
Say have a production meeting, can create to do list of the actions,
assigned to the people responsible, and as they do them they can tick
them off in the list or you can update the actions etc.
File sharing - can attach to email, lose control. Can put on website -
not so easy. BC allows you to attach files to messages or just upload
files - either to their server (10MB limit) or to your own ftp server.
Can control access to files So you could upload a draft intro sig, that
only the team see, or a proof of a script for the client to approve.
Milestones - in my day job I am used to cranking up MS project or
similar tool to do full on PM, but that's just overkill for most video
projects
BC lets you set milestones, to associate to-do lists, messages and files
with those milestones and it lets you know if milestones are
approaching, or have passed.
So you could set up milestones for the pre-production meetings, the
shoot, the rough draft edit, the first approval version, the duplication
deadline etc etc.
Time tracking - if you bill your clients on hours worked, you can use BC
to track that for projects.
Writeboards - online editable documents with version control. E.g.
script for voiceover, or credit list or song lyrics etc.
Dashboard - quick overview of all your projects, with just your to dos
if you like.
Access control - control who gets to see what.
RSS - can get RSS feed of all updates on the project.
Why would someone want to use it?
----------------------------------
If you are trying to run ANY kind of project which can be adequately
controlled by to-do lists, milestones, messages and shared files and
that has client interaction, then you need to seriously investigate this
tool.
I like to think of it as 'just enough' project management.
How much does it cost?
-------------------------
It's a service, not a product. You pay a montly subscription (at
different levels)
- they manage the service
It's really easy to set up and there's a free try out mode where you can
set up a single project and try it out.
Are there any limitations that you are aware of?
------------------------------------------------
- Messages can only be created on the website - can't email to a
'mailing list' for example.
- No SMS support - can't get text saying a new item
- Email notification - some limitations - e.g. if you comment on a
message you can't control who gets the comment - everyone on the
original to: list is copied.
- 10MB file size limit for their server - easy to put in details of your
ftp server - any web space provided by an ISP will do.
- if you stop using it you can get messages out but not to-do lists or
milestones.
These are all minor things
Overall we are very happy using it and recommend it.
Finally if you do sign up as a result of reading this post, please use our affiliate code of "room3" and we will get some money off our fees.
Thanks
Dave Chalmers
What problem does it solve for you?
-------------------------------------
We provide technical services for live events, using our own equipment,
equipment hired from suppliers, using volunteer crew, working for
clients who also have distributed teams working in their spare time etc.
The normal phonecalls, emails, SMS messages, approach wasn't really
working so we needed a better way of collaborating and communicationg
and organising ourselves.
What is it?
-----------
A project collaboration and project management service based on web 2.0
technologies
Synthesis of stuff you are probably doing in other ways, but brings it
all together And adds considerable value in the process because all
aspects of BC are designed to encourage communication and collaboration.
You get a url to log into, and can add other people in your company,
suppliers, clients etc and control who gets access to what.
What does it do?
----------------
Messages - Email really sucks for managing projects - no viewable
archive, so if you weren't copied into the thread you are stuck. Someone
coming late into a project e.g. graphic designer doesn't misses out on
the info.
BC - messages are all kept and are available to read, comment etc.
To do lists - do do lists that everyone on the team (including customers
can read, add to, tick off when completed, add comments to etc.
Say have a production meeting, can create to do list of the actions,
assigned to the people responsible, and as they do them they can tick
them off in the list or you can update the actions etc.
File sharing - can attach to email, lose control. Can put on website -
not so easy. BC allows you to attach files to messages or just upload
files - either to their server (10MB limit) or to your own ftp server.
Can control access to files So you could upload a draft intro sig, that
only the team see, or a proof of a script for the client to approve.
Milestones - in my day job I am used to cranking up MS project or
similar tool to do full on PM, but that's just overkill for most video
projects
BC lets you set milestones, to associate to-do lists, messages and files
with those milestones and it lets you know if milestones are
approaching, or have passed.
So you could set up milestones for the pre-production meetings, the
shoot, the rough draft edit, the first approval version, the duplication
deadline etc etc.
Time tracking - if you bill your clients on hours worked, you can use BC
to track that for projects.
Writeboards - online editable documents with version control. E.g.
script for voiceover, or credit list or song lyrics etc.
Dashboard - quick overview of all your projects, with just your to dos
if you like.
Access control - control who gets to see what.
RSS - can get RSS feed of all updates on the project.
Why would someone want to use it?
----------------------------------
If you are trying to run ANY kind of project which can be adequately
controlled by to-do lists, milestones, messages and shared files and
that has client interaction, then you need to seriously investigate this
tool.
I like to think of it as 'just enough' project management.
How much does it cost?
-------------------------
It's a service, not a product. You pay a montly subscription (at
different levels)
- they manage the service
It's really easy to set up and there's a free try out mode where you can
set up a single project and try it out.
Are there any limitations that you are aware of?
------------------------------------------------
- Messages can only be created on the website - can't email to a
'mailing list' for example.
- No SMS support - can't get text saying a new item
- Email notification - some limitations - e.g. if you comment on a
message you can't control who gets the comment - everyone on the
original to: list is copied.
- 10MB file size limit for their server - easy to put in details of your
ftp server - any web space provided by an ISP will do.
- if you stop using it you can get messages out but not to-do lists or
milestones.
These are all minor things
Overall we are very happy using it and recommend it.
Finally if you do sign up as a result of reading this post, please use our affiliate code of "room3" and we will get some money off our fees.
Thanks
Dave Chalmers
Posted: Tue - January 10, 2006 at 07:36 PM |
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This site contains my personal views, ideas, tips, tricks and rants about doing live video, IMAG or graphics at live events on a very low budget. They are published as I get time, in a style closely approximating a weblog. Dave C.
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My name is Dave Chalmers and I live in Edinburgh in Scotland, UK. My background is in Electronics, but for 10 years I have been helping to put on live video at events in central Scotland in my spare time. Through the course of these events, nearly all on very constrained budgets, I have learned a few things about what works and what doesn't. While I would not claim to be able to give you all the answers, I can at least help you avoid some of the mistakes.
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Published On: Jul 06, 2006 11:37 PM
Total entries in this category: 7
Published On: Jul 06, 2006 11:37 PM