Wondering if it’s the right time to use project management on your Amazon business? This blog will help you figure that out, especially if you’re aiming to grow and scale.
Most new sellers don’t think about project management early on. It tends to get pushed aside while they manage listings, shipments, and customer service.
But for experienced sellers, specifically those ready to scale, project management on Amazon becomes essential. In this post, we’ll break down key takeaways from a podcast by our Amazon agency that covered what good project management really looks like on the platform.
Is Amazon Project Management Different than Other Fields?
Project management on Amazon isn’t just about checking boxes or keeping timelines. It’s about juggling constant tasks while dealing with unexpected challenges, like listing errors, policy changes, or random ASIN suppressions, that sellers can’t always control.
Unlike traditional business models, where most tasks are predictable, Amazon keeps you on your toes. You’re working inside Amazon’s system, and “You are on Amazon’s ballgame”, meaning your process must stay flexible because Amazon can throw curveballs without warning.
Using Amazon Project Management Tools
Good thing there are Amazon project management tools you can use to make this task a little easier. These tools can help you organize your workflow, track progress, and stay on top of tasks across teams and departments.
Google Sheets
Google Sheets is a lifesaver for tracking tactical tasks like listing new products or managing keyword updates. It also acts as a single source of truth for your product data, which is a must-have backup when Amazon unexpectedly removes detail pages or deletes catalog info.
Asana
Asana is the most important tool for tracking projects you don’t want to forget, especially recurring ones like checking ad campaigns. It keeps tasks, comments, due dates, and progress all in one place, so nothing slips through the cracks, even if you’re working with a team or client.
Harvest
Harvest is a time management tool built for tracking how long each task or project takes, down to the minute. While not ideal for product-based sellers, it’s incredibly helpful for agencies and remote teams looking to measure efficiency, analyze burn rates, and bill accurately.
Project Management Is a Cultural Issue
The truth is: project management on Amazon is a reflection of your company culture. Some teams thrive in laid-back environments, others operate with strict structure, and your project management style needs to match that tone.
For it to stick, project management must be more than a task, it has to be a philosophy. When leadership actively uses and champions the system, it sets the tone for the rest of the team to follow.
If leadership isn’t checking in or holding people accountable, tasks won’t get done. As your business scales and more specialists get involved, a project management culture becomes essential to keep everyone aligned and informed.
Amazon Project Management Tips
Project management can be a hassle, but when you implement it right, it can improve your team’s efficiency, accountability, and client experience. So here are some tips to do it right:
1. Be Flexible Since Amazon Won’t Play By Your Rules
Amazon is unpredictable; tickets can take days or weeks, priorities may shift, and product pages might be removed without warning. You have to stay flexible, build in extra time, and be ready to adjust your plan on the fly.
2. Use Google Sheets as Your Single Source of Truth
Set up a product data sheet to track listings, keywords, and SKUs since it’s your safety net when Amazon randomly deletes your detail pages or catalog. This backup will save your butt more than once.
3. Run Everything Through a Central Tool
Track key projects, set due dates, and use recurring tasks to stay consistent with things like ad checks and reporting. It also keeps feedback, comments, and updates in one place, so you’re not chasing down email threads.
4. For Agencies or Virtual Teams, Track Your Time
If you’re billing clients or managing remote workers, knowing how long each task takes helps you price accurately and catch inefficiencies. It’s the best way to track burn rates and tighten up your workflow.
5. Make Project Management a Leadership Habit
If the CEO isn’t using it, no one else will either. Lead from the top, check in weekly, hold sync meetings, and actually follow up because what isn’t inspected won’t get done.
Project Management Can Make or Break Your Amazon Growth
Although project management might feel like extra work, it can be a game-changer for your Amazon business. When done right, it keeps your team aligned, helps you avoid costly mistakes, and speeds up scaling.
Don’t wait until chaos hits; building a solid project management culture and using the right tools will save you time and headaches. Commit to it now, and you’ll see smoother operations and better results as your business grows.
Need help managing your Amazon business? Contact our full-service Amazon agency today and let our team of experts help you grow!
