Teamlab allows you to create projects, break those projects down into specific tasks, then create deadlines for those tasks, and assign them to specific individuals.
Project management software is probably used really widely in business settings, but I haven't ever worked for a large company, and I've never heard of anyone I know (before my friend) using it for interns. It has really transformed the way we do work on our team:
- It allows me to define very specifically what everyone should be working on. I still encourage interns to take the initiative to create their own projects and tasks if they see something that needs to be done, and it empowers those interns to lead projects by creating tasks for each other. I encourage them to manage upwards by creating tasks for me if they need something from me. (I have made every user an admin so anyone can create tasks and projects.)
- Because Teamlab allows commenting on every task and milestone, it fosters communication between people working on the same project.
- It lets me keep track of everything everyone is working on - especially since I get an email every time someone completes a task, leaves a comment, creates a new discussion, uploads a file, etc. (You can limit the types of emails you get if the idea of getting tons of new emails horrifies you.)
- It gives everyone a better idea of the overall structure of a project, and what everyone else is working on, because everyone can see which tasks are assigned to which people.
- It consolidates file storage and shared documents in one place.