So, I’ve started literally the biggest project I’ve ever undertaken. It requires five logos/branding, print material and a possible website. Each of the logos requires research, references, customer communication and a to-do list. I’ve started my design process on one logo and started research on another, and that material alone was to much to keep organized. I have sheets of notebook paper absolutely filled as well as link after link saved in my e-mail. I knew I had to do something to get organized, not just with this project but to ensure that my other workflow won’t suffer because of this project.

Enter: The Behance Action Method….

I started looking for a project management tool that could help me keep all of my project information in one place, as well as help me manage multiple projects at one time. Before I took the plunge to digital, I’ve been using the Behance Action Book, which has an area for customer info, project info, action steps, backburner ideas and a dotted grid to sketch out any rough ideas. It has worked fantastic for me, in fact all of my logo projects from 2008 and 2009 were managed by the Action Method.

What is the Action Method?

It’s a really organized system created to manage your project steps, thoughts and processes. You can arrange your steps by color to mark the importance of each one. The backburner is a place for you to record ideas you currently have but don’t have the time to pursue… which I have way too many of. If I’m working on a project and have a great idea for it, but I know the customer won’t dig it I’ll place it on the backburner to be used at a later date… which I’ve done and it saved a lot of time and research. You can view the actual process HERE.

If the Action Book works, why go digital?

Simple, my page in the action book transferred over to multiple notebook pages and e-mails, I was still able to use the system but there was just too much for the system to handle accurately. So when I began to research project management systems, my first though was to head to Behance. Lucky for me, they’ve transferred the entire process into a website and even more lucky for me, it’s FREE. I’m not sure what the limitations are between the free one and the membership, as of right now it seems fully functional. If I do run into any issues, I will surely upgrade.

How does the site work?

You create your project, you can include any customer information needed. Once your project is in place, then you start adding action steps. You can assign a color to each step to mark the importance.

When you click on an action step you have the choice to change the color, delegate the duty by e-mail (great if your working on a team), set a due date, and track time. Once you’ve completed the step, you mark the checkbox and it goes to your completed box.

One of my favorite features is the references and discussion tabs, in which I’ve been utilizing to the fullest extent for this project. I’ve filled each logo design with links from sites, anything that went with my idea or inspired me, just so I could keep for inspiration or as a reference for later on. In the discussion tab I’ve been copying in the customer directions or key points that have to do with the design. Both tabs help me keep on track and keep me from searching through the web or e-mails to find my references.

And if you want to view all of your links and info together, just head over to the “Project View” tab. In which you can easily access all needed areas of the site for your project, and best of all organize your actual projects using the Behance Energy Line system, which color coordinates your projects according to importance. Which is great for me because I have trouble sometimes differentiating between urgent and important.

The Cons:

I’m writing this because of my own freewill, so not only will I give it praise but I’m happy to say where it falls short. One of the biggest things about this site is the fact that you can download an iPhone application that is a complete function replicate. Having all of this info with you accessible on a phone is a huge thing, especially if you’re getting inspiration or backburner ideas when you’re away from your computer. I was bummed to see that they didn’t have a Blackberry app, but me being me, I e-mailed them to see if there was one in the works. Sure enough I was sent a beta. I know it’s just a beta right now, but it’s almost unusable there are so many bugs, and the interface is extremely dull, not to mention I can’t even type horizontally on the Storm. So, accessing it on my phone is pretty much out of the question for me as of now, I just hope the iPhone users are happy with their version and aren’t experiencing any of the same issues.

Secondly, I was hard at work on it last night adding in several new projects and I kept getting an error saying that the ’site could not connect, please check your Internet connection’… but I was on many other working websites at the same time. The good this is, I submitted it as a bug and I’ve been in contact with tech support today trying to get it figured out… tech support for a free program? Pretty cool.

Overall, I’m extremely happy with it and I would suggest it to anyone. Not just designers or marketing people, but to anyone with too much on their plate and in some need of some organization.