Contents

Step 1. Download VIP Task Manager
Step 2. Install VIP Task Manager
Step 3. Create a New Database
Step 4. Create Task Groups
Step 5. Create Resources
Step 6. Set Permissions
Step 7. Create Tasks
Step 8. Assign Tasks
Step 9. Set Task Priority
Step 10. Set Task Due Date
Step 11. Set Task Estimated Duration

Step 1. Download VIP Task Manager

We recommend you to download VIP Task Manager PROFESSIONAL edition because it has more features than STANDARD edition. At the beginning you may not know if you need a particular feature, but after you test the program for some time, you can make a better decision on which edition to buy.

To download 30-day free trial version of VIP Task Manager

Step 2. Install VIP Task Manager

When you start installing VIP Task Manager, the Setup wizard opens and helps you install the program. You can leave the default wizard settings without changes and just click Next on most of the wizard pages; however, if you need any instructions or explanations, you can refer to the PDF document Installation Guide which opens automatically in Adobe Reader to help you choose required option on each page.

To install VIP Task Manager

Step 3. Create a New Database

When you start VIP Task Manager for the first time, the Database wizard opens and lets you either connect to the Sample database or create a new blank database. We recommend you to create a new database because you will better understand how you can use the program for your tasks.

To create a new database

Step 4. Create Task Groups

You can use Task Groups to structure tasks in your database the same way you organize work in your company. For example, you can name task groups after your company departments, projects, or clients. Otherwise, you can think of task groups as folders into which you put tasks that have something in common.

To create a task group

Step 5. Create Resources

Resources are user accounts under which users can log on to the database. While adding a resource to the resource list, you can input user’s job title, department, address, email, and phone; however, user name and password are enough to let user log on and start working in the database. 

To create a resource

Step 6. Set Permissions

Permissions define what tasks and task groups users can see, create, edit, and delete. You can allow some users to work with all tasks and all task groups, while other users will have access to particular tasks in particular task groups only. You can set permissions for each user separately or for groups of users who belong to particular roles.

To set permissions

Step 7. Create Tasks

You can create tasks on the Task List view, the Task Tree view, or the Calendar view. Tasks created on one view automatically appear on other views. Task List view is convenient for creating to-do lists, Task Tree view is good for creating work breakdown structures, and Calendar view is best for creating employee schedules.

To create tasks

Step 8. Assign Tasks

Task Assignment means appointing users to do tasks. You can assign a task to one user or several users. We recommend you to assign one task to one user; otherwise you need to think how to measure productivity of assigned users within the shared task.

To assign tasks

Step 9. Set Task Priority

Task priority helps users understand what tasks they should do first. You can set priority for the tasks that you delegate to your team, as well as team members can prioritize their tasks themselves. By default all new tasks have Normal priority, so you can change it to the Lowest, Low, High, Highest, or Urgent priority level.

To set task priority

Step 10. Set Task Due Date

Task due date is a deadline until which you should complete the task. You can use various tools to make sure that you get the task done on time. Still if you, for some reason, don't close the task before its due date, the task background gets automatically highlighted with a color to attract your attention.

To set task due date

Step 11. Set Task Estimated Duration

Task estimated duration means the period during which you plan to do the task. You can estimate task duration in minutes, hours, days, or weeks. When the task is completed, you can compare estimated duration with actual and make better estimations for future tasks.

To set task estimated duration