SmartPlans Review
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SmartPlans Review

Our Review by Greg Dawson on March 23rd, 2012
Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: PRODUCTIVE
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The SmartPlans project management app goes beyond the basic check list and allows users to get things done in an intuitive and simple to setup dashboard.

Developer: Left Coast Logic

Price: $9.99
Version: 3.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 4

iPhone Integration Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
User Interface Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Re-use / Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

SmartPlans is more than just a Get Things Done (GTD) app for iPhone and iPad. It's a management tool that not only enables users to follow through on simple tasks, but also helps them plan, organize and make sense of multiple and in-depth projects.

While this app can be used to remember the milk, its power is truly shown when throwing complex task management at it with multiple actions for each project. The function of an app is only as good as the ability for the user to understand it. Form must be a part of it. And with SmartPlans, form and function combine for one of the easiest setups possible.

SmartPlans is broken down into a main dashboard that shows the various projects the user sets up and colors can be used to identify separate categories. Each project can then be dialed down into tasks. It's easy to drop down a layer by using a double tap on the specific project. Within this area, the user can add specific tasks that need to be completed to finish the overall project. Each task can be assigned an action, duration, context, note as well as be attached to multiple projects. This is very handy.

In the earlier 2.0 update, the developer added the ability to drag one task on top of another to create a group, then drop other tasks into it. The recent 3.0 update now gives those groups “milestone” status, which are automatically assigned deadlines based upon where they fit in the project.

This becomes very useful when the project requires a large amount of tasks to complete. The milestones now sync with the iPhone or iPad calendar and appear in the “All Day Events” section. The only issue is a bug that causes some iCloud calendars to possibly be deleted when syncing with iOS calendars. The bug has already been addressed and soon will be available as a 3.0.1 update.

For those who are looking for a project management app that is intuitive, goes beyond the basic checklist and provides a nice and simple to use detailed workflow, SmartPlans is an excellent option. The app is normally $19.99, but is currently priced at $9.99.

iPhone Screenshots

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Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 1 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 2 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 3 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 4 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 5

iPad Screenshots

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Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 6 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 7 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 8 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 9 Smart Plans - Multi Planner screenshot 10
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