It can be difficult to keep track of tasks and projects when different people work on different tasks… but it is possible using Outlook (you don’t need any complex Project Management software).
In this post, I will show you how you can use Outlook’s own built in features to assign/delegate tasks to others in the team as well as keep track of their progress right INSIDE Outlook.
Read on to learn how to assign/delegate Tasks to others and keep track of their Task’s progress:
- In Outlook 2010, click the Home tab > New Items > Tasks
In Outlook 2007/2003, click File > New > Task - Click Assign Task on the ribbon/menu
- In the To: field, enter the email address of the person the task will be assigned to. Complete the task form filling in the other required details
- Ensure that the 2 options “Keep an updated copy of this task on my task list” and “Send me a status report when this task is complete” are both ticked.
- In the body of the Task, you can add information about the Project, the Task, instructions for the person who this is assigned to etc.
- Click Send
This will now create a new Task in your Task folder and send an Invite to the Assignee to accept. Once the Task is accepted, it creates an entry in their Tasks.
You will now be able to keep track of the task assigned to others as it progresses right inside your Outlook from your desktop at any time you want.
If project management is a big part of your work, then you may also want to look at Smart Schedules for Outlook.
Do you have your own simple, easy methods of managing projects using Outlook?
Share it with our readers and us by leaving a comment below.
Outlook really is powerful and easy to use for an individual – this is a great tip, but it can be a little clunky with multiple people and tasks in a project environment (especially for those of us who are a little tech slow). I have found that it really does help if everyone stays on the same platform, and I like the fact that a good Outlook project management software uses Outlook completely; it has helped me immensely!