We recently discussed how Ruby on Rails firm Rails Envy uses Backpack to organize its podcasts. In this post, Jason Seifer describes how the team uses Backpack to manage freelance projects too:
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When we were doing consulting, we had everything down to a science. Basecamp, while a great product, turned out to be too much of an app for our two man (and freelance designer) team. Here was our Backpack workflow for projects:
Proposals: Create the project page in Backpack. Create the writeboard from Backpack so it's linked on the page. We would then spec out the functionality needed for the site. This isn't a huge spec -- a list of features and a brief description of how they work.
Meetings and Conference Calls. After (or during) every conference call we'd jot down some notes about the meeting -- tasks to complete, things that needed to be addressed, goals for the week, things like that.
All of your info in one place. The backpack page for a project becomes the central repository of information. You can put in server addresses, login *names*, lists of associated sites like the bug tracker and code repository, and anything related to that project. Forwarding emails to the page is a big help here. Sure Gmail lets you search everything in no time at all, but you really can't compare that with having the most important emails right alongside the rest of your project info.
Fancy time tracking software? Who needs it when Backpack gives you... Old fashion lists. Just keep track of your hours and add an item to the list at the end of each day.
When the invoice has been sent just add another item to visually separate it. When everyone has been paid, check everything off. Easy as pie. We do use Quickbooks for the accounting and invoicing but this is a great way to keep a quick tab on what's going on.
Backpack is also good for torturous works in progress ;)
The biggest tip I think I have is that before you decide to go out and buy, try, or write other software to do what you need to do, think of Backpack. With a little bit of ingenuity you can create an efficient and functional work flow for many different purposes.
Do you use a 37signals product in an interesting or noteworthy way? Let us know.
