10 Tools to Improve WFH Productivity for IT Professionals
WFH or Work from Home is the new normal and all thanks go to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of a sudden, it put a halt on the ever-moving world and forced us to stay indoors. While it was for our own good, it has some negative sides as well. For instance: enterprises and businesses of all sorts having a tough to maintain the before WFH productivity.
For working professionals, it was daunting and tedious than before as they have to maintain the pace with limited resources. As we all going to work from home for a little longer, it’s high time to figure out a solution. With limited productivity and tedious working hours, no one is going to thrive for long.
Here is a list of top 10 tools that are helping developers, designers, and many other IT professionals to perform par excellently without draining out themselves.
Tools for Team Communication
Work from home means working without your equipped team by your side. Here are tools to consider that make sure that your teammates are only out of sight, not out of mind.
#1- Slack
It’s hard to beat Slack when it comes to team communication and collaboration. As it was built by remote workers itself, it has addressed the challenges of remote communication very well. Cumbersome email exchanges, arranging meetings, information exchange, instant messaging, video calling, and many other kinds of communication has been simplified a lot with this tool. Honestly speaking, it’s the need of the hour for everyone, not by IT professionals.
#2- Spark
One of the most loved email productivity tools, Spark makes e-communication effortless. You are allowed to snooze emails, send smart emails, and send reminders for others. It has made email communication easy and professionals. Emails can be customized as per the need of the hour. In fact, one can put access restrictions on email to make sure no unauthorized professional is reading
#3- Zoom
Zoom doesn’t need any introduction. After almost two years of work from home, everyone is familiar with this app. It’s a cloud-based video conferencing tool simplifying group messaging and simple online meetings. At a time, more than 100 interactive participants and 10,000 view-only attendees can be a part of a meeting which makes it stand out from others.
Tools for Better Focus
The main hurdle that IT developers and designers are facing, while working from home, is the lack of concentration and focus. Because of this, they end up spending 3-4hours on a jib which can be done within an hour or so. With school closed and kids around, it’s impossible to have focus. Gladly, below mentioned tools are here to help.
#4- Serene
With features like block distractions, power sessions, day planner, to-do list, focus muscle, phone silencer, and focus music, Serene ensures that you are focused and can have unwavering concentration. There is a free trial offered for 14 days. After that, only $4 per month need to spend to attain full focus. It’s all worth it.
#5- Forest
The phone is the biggest distraction and Forest ensures that you don’t overuse it while working. We tend to check WhatsApp and Instagram during work hours and don’t realize that already an hour is passed by. With Forest, this isn’t going to happen.
Tools for Time Management
Juggling between household chores and office deadlines is tough and takes a toll on one’s mental peace. Have a look at the below-mentioned tools below that can save you from this hassle.
#6- RescueTime
As the name suggests, this tool is here to save time. It’s been around since 2007 but never was not loved as it is now. WFH model has made this tool popular. It’s a very powerful time tracking and distraction blocking software working perfectly fine on platforms like Mac, Windows, Chrome, iOS, and Android devices.
#7- Focus@Will
Supported by world-famed neuroscientists, this app is here to help in creating sustainable work from the home scenario with less focus on useless things. The in-built timer and tracker make time tracking possible. There are multiple focus modes to better time utility.
Tools for Better Productivity
For developers and designers, working from home is tedious as resources are limited. They can’t access the advanced technology just like they used in the office. Still, some tools are going to improve productivity.
#8- Proto.io
Unleash your productivity in full capacity with Proto.io as this tool offers a wide range of the instrument to convert hand-drawn style into digital format. This is for designers especially. It comes with an in-built sketch and Photoshop mode to utilize different instruments. The final configuration can be measured as well with its help.
#9- Process Street
Founded in 2014, this one is going to help in reducing the repetitiveness involved in business tasks and checklists. Track business project processes, reducing mistakes, and designing scalable solutions are possible with the help of this tool.
The best part of using this app is that the navigation can be done through keyboard shortcuts. One is allowed to ass images, videos, and any other document in the project whenever and wherever needed. There is a 14-day free trial offered. After then, three subscription choices are there.
#10- Asana
Don’t get too involved in project management. Use Asana and enjoy effortless project management. It offers a wide range of features and facilities for jobs like task management, calendar, time tracking, data sharing, and online collaboration. Up to 15 people can collaborate effortlessly with the help of this tool. The wide range of integration ensures that tasks are done quickly and effortlessly. Multiple paid versions are offered for effortless. It’s worth the try.
The Final Say
Work from home is going to stay here and going to give hard time. To make sure you don’t lose your sanity during the process, use the above-mentioned tools. From focus to time utility, these tools are going to help at every front. Thousands of professionals have already taken their help. When are you trying them out?