Until last year, we used Trello as our primary tool for local government IT project management.
If you think project management in government only means blueprints and buildings, think again.
For us, it looked like sticky notes—only digital. Until last year, we used Trello as our primary tool for local government IT project management. And while it might sound simple, it changed how we worked.
The Problem: Too Many Tasks, Too Many Places
Back then, we juggled everything manually. Project proposals lived in folders. System development notes were in chat threads. Community engagements sat in spreadsheets. Timelines? They existed, but not everyone knew where to find them. It was messy—and we knew it.
The Process: Organizing Chaos with Trello
That’s when we started using Trello.
We set up boards for each major initiative: community engagements, digital system builds, training programs, and policy implementation. Each board had clear columns: Concerns, Prioritization, Ongoing tasks (weekly, monthly, daily). Cards included checklists, attachments, links to forms, and real-time status updates.
For system development, this was especially helpful. From system analysis and design to testing and deployment, we tracked every step. Trello let us visualize how ideas moved from backlog to launch—and who needed to do what, by when.
We also integrated comments and updates so nothing got lost in emails or chats. Everyone—from developers to community organizers—could stay aligned.
The Result: Progress That Everyone Can See
Using Trello didn’t just improve efficiency. It gave us visibility. It turned intangible plans into trackable progress. Teams moved faster. Communication gaps shrank. And we started managing systems the same way engineers manage construction timelines—structured, collaborative, and transparent.
This is what local government IT project management can look like today.
We’ve since scaled and adjusted our tools, but Trello gave us the foundation. And it proved that even the simplest systems, when used well, can bring big impact.
If your team is looking for a starting point to organize digital initiatives or community projects, give Trello a try. We’re glad we did.