Yodiz is a team and project management tool that wants to make productivity more fun and efficient. The user can handle each phase of a project through the application. The backlog allows the user to comment on issues and progress without creating numerous emails among team members. Users can also attach screen shots and drag and drop items for quick prioritization. The user can also access past “sprints,” or completed parts of a project. Releases help the user monitor development of the finished product. The user can see all related sprints and view overall progress on the built in dial shaped widget. A planning board allows the user to shift items from the backlog to sprints. The user can also tag stories that are associated with a release. Additional features include a task board and activity feeds.

Visit www.yodiz.com

Yodiz appeared in 2011 and has not yet enjoyed widespread publicity on the web. The application has potential, however it doesn’t offer anything new that isn’t already covered by one of the many other project management applications already available. The current version has a professional feel to it and can help a user manage a project or team effectively, provided they can learn the system and various names given to each feature.

As far as functionality goes, Yodiz doesn’t offer anything new and exciting. There are already so many project management applications out there that it can be challenging to be completely innovative. The main attraction is the colorful style offered by Yodiz. The interface has injected hints of bold, vibrant colors in subtle quantities that give it a little visual personality. This may not be enough to convince some users to switch from their current project management system, but it does offer a nice break from the plain white and blue or grey color schemes that are often favored.

The appearance of Yodiz is one of its strong points. The site maintains a professional style while incorporating bright reds, blues, greens and gold throughout. The color scheme makes some of the data, such as information depicted on charts and graphs, easier to digest. The user will have to learn more about each part of the application and what it contains before the colorful interface becomes beneficial to productivity.

A new user can create a Yodiz account by clicking the white “Sign Up” link in the upper, right hand corner of the homepage. The form on the following page asks for the user’s enterprise name, email address, password, first and last name and a Captcha code entry. The user must also check the small terms and conditions box at the bottom of the form before submitting it. The user is advised that they must check their email inbox for a verification email which must be accessed to complete registration.

Yodiz is available to all users for free. The site does not currently charge a subscription for its services. Anyone can stop by and create an account at no cost. The user is given access to all basic features and can visit as often as they like to check up on progress. The user can also add team members and set specific permissions to ensure that everyone has access to the areas they need.

Yodiz is ideal for small companies and startups that need an economical way to manage projects. The application includes many tools and can help the user stay on top of progress and deadlines. Although there may be better solutions out there, Yodiz is one of the most budget friendly available. The user can control all aspects of the project, including user permissions, team discussions and tasks.

• Permissions allow users to control team member access
• Discussions can be held within the application rather than through email
• Project progress can be seen at a glance on the dial widget
• Task boards show the user the status of each part of a project
• Recent activity is displayed on a built in feed

Visit www.yodiz.com