Today's Deep-Dive: Taiga

Welcome back everybody for another deep dive and this time we're taking a look at

Taiga and this is a project management tool that's gaining some serious traction,

you know, especially in the tech world, but also beyond.

Yeah, I've heard of it. It seems like there's a real buzz around it, especially

among, like you said, tech folks, but not just them, right?

Right. And the cool thing is that it's completely free. So, you know, it can help

anyone really kind of get a handle on their projects, big or small, and without

having to spend, you know, an arm and a leg.

Yeah, that's always a big plus. I mean, who doesn't love free, especially when it

comes to tools that can actually make a difference in how you work?

Definitely. So, you know, if you're, if you're thinking about kind of, you know,

taking control of your data and security, you know, with self hosting, stick around

because we're going to be, we'll be touching on that a bit later too.

Oh yeah. Self hosting is a big topic these days, especially with all the data

privacy concerns. Definitely worth exploring.

Absolutely. But, you know, before we dive into all that, big thanks to Safe Server

for supporting this episode.

Yes. Big shout out to Safe Server.

They are like, you know, the experts when it comes to hosting and digital

transformation consulting. And, you know, if you're even thinking about self

hosting, you know, check them out at www.safeserver.de.

They're a great resource. Always good to have experts in your corner when you're

navigating, you know, the digital world.

Sure. But for now, let's let's jump into Taiga. And I'm curious, for those of us

who are maybe hearing about this for the first time, what exactly is Taiga and what

makes it so special?

So Taiga is essentially an open source project management platform. It's designed

for agile teams. And it's like you said, completely free to use. And I think really

what makes it stand out is that it's super user friendly.

Okay, so when you say open source, does that mean like anyone can contribute to its

development?

Yeah, that's right. So, you know, it's constantly being improved by a community of

developers. So, you know, you're always kind of getting the latest features and

updates, and all that without like I said, without having to pay anything.

That's pretty cool. It's like, it's like having, you know, a team of developers

constantly working to make the tool better.

Yeah, exactly. It's like having a continuous improvement loop. Yeah, built right in.

I like that. And I guess, you know, the question that comes to mind is if it's free,

can it really compete with, you know, those big, expensive project management tools

out there?

Well, I think, you know, the fact that it's used by, you know, literally millions

of people globally, including some really big companies kind of speaks for itself.

Oh, wow. I mean, that's impressive. If big companies are choosing Taiga over those,

you know, expensive alternatives, there must be something really special about it.

Yeah, there's definitely something to it. And actually, it's interesting. The the

origin story of Taiga is kind of cool.

Oh, yeah. Tell me more about that. Like, how did this whole thing even come about?

So basically, a group of developers, they were actually frustrated with, you know,

with the existing project management tools out there, they found them, you know, clunky

and expensive and not really

meeting their needs.

I can relate to that, like, so many tools promise the world, but then they're

either super complicated, or they cost a fortune.

Exactly. So they decided to, you know, create something better, something that was

really intuitive and collaborative, and really truly embodied this whole this whole

agile, you know, philosophy.

So they basically said, screw it, we'll build our own.

Pretty much. And it's pretty amazing to see what they've accomplished, you know,

starting from that, from that frustration and kind of, you know, that DIY spirit.

Yeah, I love that. So let's let's dive into, you know, what makes Taiga tick, like,

what are some of the key features that really make it stand out?

Okay. So one of the things that makes Taiga so versatile, is that it supports

different project management styles.

Okay, so it's not just a one size fits all kind of tool.

No, not at all. It caters to different approaches. And two of the most popular ones

are Kanban and Scrum. Have you have you heard of those before?

I've definitely heard of Kanban. Like, I've seen those boards with the sticky notes,

you know, moving things through different columns.

Yeah, exactly. So imagine, yeah, imagine a Kanban board as like, as like a giant

digital whiteboard, right, with sticky notes, and each sticky note represents a

task, and you move them across different columns as you progress through a project.

That's pretty cool way to visualize your workflow.

Yeah, and Taiga takes this, you know, this visual approach and makes it even more

powerful, you know, by letting you customize boards and break down tasks into

smaller subtasks and even limit the number of tasks you can work on at once.

So it's like, you know, it's like having a digital whiteboard, but it's also kind

of like, it keeps you from from getting overwhelmed by, you know, by too many

things at the same time.

Yeah, exactly. So, you know, it's about focus and making sure you're not spreading

yourself too thin. We call these a VIP limits, which stands for working progress

limits, working progress limits.

Got it. Yeah. And then, you know, we've got Scrum, which is a bit more structured.

Yeah. I guess you could think of it like, like planning a sprint race, a sprint

race. Okay, I'm intrigued.

Yeah. So you set a goal for a short period, right, which we call a sprint. And you

work in these like, you know, really focused bursts to reach that goal.

I see. So it's all about like intense bursts of activity, kind of like a sprint.

Exactly. And Taiga helps you, you know, plan these sprints and track your progress

with like cool burn down charts, and even estimate how long each task will take.

Okay, so it's like, it's like having a coach, you know, cheering you on and, you

know, keeping you on track.

Exactly. It's like having that extra support and motivation to help you reach the

finish line.

I like that. So we've got visual boards, we've got sprint planning, it's quite a

lot packed into this free tool. But what about, you know, those inevitable hiccups

that happen during a project? Like, how does Taiga handle those?

Right. So that's where Taiga's issue tracking system comes in. It lets you, you know,

log and categorize and prioritize any problems that pop up, kind of like making

like a to do list, but for fixing things.

A to do list for fixing things. I like that. It's like a bug tracker, right?

Yeah, exactly. You can even turn those problems into what we call user stories,

which are basically like detailed descriptions of, you know, of what needs to be

done to resolve an issue.

So it's about like making sure that that nothing slips through the cracks, that

everything is documented, everything is tracked.

Exactly. And it ensures that everyone's on the same page when it comes to

addressing, you know, those those inevitable bumps in the road.

It's essential. So OK, we've got the visual boards, we've got the sprint planning,

we've got the issue tracking. But how do you get, you know, a bird's eye view of

like how the project is actually going?

Does Taiga have like reporting tools?

It does. It offers these insightful dashboards where you can track team performance,

you know, see how the project is progressing over time and even generate custom

reports.

OK, so it's not just about managing the task, but also about getting those insights

into like, you know, how the project's actually performing.

Exactly. It's about data driven decision making. You know, you need those insights

to make informed choices and adjustments as you go.

That makes a lot of sense. And I imagine this is just like, you know, scratching

the surface of what Taiga can do.

You're right. There's so much more to explore. But one thing I do want to highlight

is how customizable it is. You can tailor it to your specific needs, you know,

whether you're a small team or a

large organization.

Okay, so it's flexible, you can kind of like adapt it to your own, you know, way of

working.

Exactly. You can define different user roles and permissions, create custom stages

in your workflow, and even integrate with other tools you might already be using.

Oh, wow. So it's not like a it's not like a closed system, you can actually kind of

plug it into your existing, you know, tech stack.

Exactly. It plays well with others. And speaking of customization, you know, I know

you're a big proponent of self hosting, and Taiga offers that option as well.

Yeah, self hosting is something I'm really interested in, especially, you know,

these days where data security is such a big concern.

Right. And that's where self hosting Taiga really shines, you know, gives you

complete control over your information, you know, who has access to it, where it's

stored, and how it's protected.

So it's like, you know, having your own your own little data fortress, I guess,

where you where you control everything.

Exactly. And for businesses or individuals who are, you know, who are really

concerned about, about privacy and data security, it's, it's a game changer.

I bet. And that's where that's where safe server comes in, right? Like they can

help with the with the technical side of self hosting and, you know, make sure

everything is, you know, safe and sound.

Exactly. They've got the expertise and the infrastructure to make it all super

smooth so you can focus on, you know, what matters most managing your projects

effectively.

Awesome. So we've covered a lot of ground, you know, talking about the features and

the flexibility. But, you know, I'm always curious to hear what like actual users

have to say about their experience.

Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, features are one thing, but it's the real world impact

that really matters.

Exactly. So have you have you come across any like interesting stories or testimonials

from people who are who are using Taiga?

Yeah, actually, we have we spoke to a new business director, and he actually

described his team's adoption of Taiga as like a 180 degree change.

Whoa, 180 degree change. That's, that's pretty. Yeah, it was huge shift for them.

They went from, you know, feeling stressed and overwhelmed to feeling organized and

in control.

So it sounds like Taiga really helped them, you know, kind of like, we gained that

sense of control over their projects.

Absolutely. And what he highlighted was how, you know, Taiga's intuitive design and

collaborative features really helped them streamline communication, improve

workflow, and ultimately, you know, deliver projects more efficiently.

That's great. So it's not just about, you know, getting things done, but it's also

about doing them in a way that's, that's less stressful, you know, and more

collaborative.

Exactly. And we also spoke to a consultant who emphasized how Taiga really supports

this agile form of working, which is, you know, so crucial in today's fast paced,

you know, digital environment.

Yeah, I can see that. Like being able to adapt quickly, you know, to changing

priorities and collaborate, you know, seamlessly with others is essential for any

team, really.

Absolutely. It's not just about tech teams. It's about any team that needs to be,

you know, nimble and responsive in today's world.

Right. And that actually brings up an interesting point. You know, our listeners

might be thinking, okay, this sounds great for software developers, but, you know,

I'm a writer, I'm a teacher, I'm an entrepreneur. Like, how is this relevant to me?

Yeah, I think that's a really important question to address. And it's a common

misconception that agile is only for software development.

It's like people hear agile and they immediately think coding.

Exactly. But the truth is that these agile principles, you know, this flexibility,

collaboration, iterative progress can be applied to virtually any kind of project.

So like, whether you're writing a book or planning a marketing campaign, or even

organizing like a family vacation, you know, Taiga's features can still be super

helpful.

Absolutely. It's about breaking down complex projects into smaller, manageable

tasks, tracking your progress and collaborating effectively, no matter what you're

working on.

I love that. It's like, you know, it's like, it's like it's taking these these

principles from the tech world and applying them to, you know, to life in general.

Exactly. It's about working smarter, not harder, and finding tools that support

that approach.

Couldn't agree more. But let's let's bring it back to Tiger self-hosting

capabilities for a moment. You know, I know security is a top concern for a lot of

people, especially when you're dealing with sensitive project data.

For sure. And that's where self-hosting Tiger really shines. You know, you have

that complete control over your data. You choose where it's stored, who has access,

how it's managed. It's like having your own digital fortress for your projects.

And and with save server as your guide, that fortress is an expert hands.

Absolutely. They make the whole process seamless and secure. That's fantastic. So,

you know, we've covered a lot of ground here. We've explored what Tiger is, why it's

gaining popularity, how its features can be applied to, you know, a wide range of

projects. Yeah, it's been a great overview. But before we before we wrap up this

first part, I want to leave our listener with something to ponder something to, you

know, maybe kind of spark some ideas. Okay, I'm all ears. So the question is,

what project in your life could benefit from, you know, from a more agile approach

and a tool like Tiger?

Ooh, it's a good one. It's a question worth reflecting on for sure.

Yeah, it could be that side hustle you've been dreaming of launching or a creative

project that's been, you know, stuck in the

planning phase, or even just, you know, finding a better way to organize your daily

tasks. It's about thinking differently about how we

approach, you know, the things we want to achieve.

Absolutely. And the beauty of agile and tools like Tiger is that, you know, they

empower you to break down those those overwhelming

projects into manageable steps. And, you know, prioritize effectively and adapt to

changes as you go.

Exactly. And that's what this whole deep dive is all about exploring new ways of

working, finding tools that can help us be more

effective and, you know, ultimately achieve our goals.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Yeah, it's all about that continuous learning

and improvement journey. Yeah, yeah, it really is. And

what's what's even more interesting is that these principles can be applied to so

many different types of projects.

It's not just about software development, right? That's what I was thinking.

Our listener might be wondering, OK, this all sounds great, but I'm not, you know,

building the next big app.

I'm writing a book, planning a wedding, starting a business.

How can Taiga help me? Yeah, I think that's a brilliant question.

And it really highlights one of the, you know, biggest misconceptions about agile

project management.

It's often seen as this tech exclusive thing, but the truth is, you know, it's

incredibly versatile.

Think about it. Even planning a wedding.

I mean, you've got multiple tasks, deadlines, collaboration with different people,

all things that Taiga can help you manage more effectively.

Right, right. So it's not just about, you know, coding and sprints.

It's about breaking down any complex project into smaller, more manageable steps

and being able to adapt to changes along the way.

Exactly. Imagine you're writing a book, for example, you can use Taiga's Kanban

board to visualize each chapter, track your progress and even create subtasks for

research, outlining, writing, editing can really help you stay organized, motivated

and on track.

Okay, I'm starting to see the light here. It's like having a superpower to do list,

you know, visual collaborative keeps you on track.

Precisely. And remember, Taiga is free to use. So you can try it out and see if it

works for you without any financial risk. There's there's really nothing to lose.

Yeah, that's a huge plus, especially for someone like me who's always, you know,

trying new tools and workflows. But before we wrap up, I want to circle back to

self hosting for a moment for our listeners who are, you know, particularly

concerned about data security. Can you explain a bit more about the benefits of

self

hosting, Taiga? Of course. So with self hosting, you have complete control over your

data. It's like having your own private vault where you store all your valuable

information. You decide who has access, where it's stored, and how it's protected.

It's particularly important for projects that involve, you know, sensitive

information like financial data or personal details.

Right. So it's like having the keys to your own data kingdom, I guess.

Exactly. You're in the driver's seat. I love that. And for those who might be

intimidated by the, you know, the technical aspects of self hosting, I'm assuming

Safe Server can help with that.

Absolutely. That's where Safe Server's expertise comes in. You know, they provide

all the support and infrastructure you need to set up and manage your self hosted

Taiga instance, ensuring that your data is secure and accessible.

That's fantastic. It takes a lot of the pressure off knowing that you have, you

know, experts to guide you through that process. So we've covered a lot of ground

today, you know, from the basics of Taiga to the power of self hosting. But I want

to leave our listener with one final thought.

Okay, I'm all ears. What's on your mind?

What if we challenge the assumption that that Taiga is just a tool for for techies?

What if we see it as a tool for anyone who wants to bring more organization,

collaboration and flexibility to their projects, no matter what those projects

might be?

I love that challenge. Because it's it's so true. Taiga is a powerful tool for

anyone who wants to, you know, work smarter, not harder. It's about breaking down

those mental barriers and realizing that agile principles can be applied to, you

know, almost anything we do in life.

Exactly. Whether you're, you know, planning a family vacation, writing a novel,

launching a business or even just, you know, trying to get a handle on your daily

to do list. Taiga can help you break down those, you know, sometimes overwhelming

tasks into manageable steps, prioritize effectively and adapt to changes along the

way.

And remember, the beauty of Taiga is that it's free to experiment with. You can give

it a try, explore its features and see how it fits into your workflow without any

financial commitment.

Yeah, that's the spirit. Embrace the agile mindset, experiment and discover what

works best for you.

Big thanks again to Safe Server for supporting this episode and, you know, for

making self-hosting Taiga a more accessible option for everyone.

You can find them at www.safeserver.de if you're interested in exploring that

further.

It's been a pleasure diving into the world of Taiga with you today, and hopefully

this has inspired our listeners to reimagine how they approach their projects and

embrace a more agile way of working.

Absolutely. So until our next deep dive, keep those projects moving, stay agile,

and remember, there's always a better way to work.

Yeah, I love that. It's about kind of empowering ourselves to take control of our

projects and find a way of working that really fits our individual needs and styles

and, you know, who knows, maybe by embracing a more agile approach, we'll discover

new levels of creativity and productivity we never thought possible.

Absolutely. It's all about breaking free from those, you know, rigid traditional

ways of thinking and embracing a more flexible, adaptable mindset and Taiga provides

the perfect platform to experiment and find what works best for you.

Yeah. And with the option to, you know, self-host through a provider like Safe

Server, you can have the best of both worlds, you know, a powerful customizable

tool and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your data is secure and, you

know, under your control.

Speaking of Safe Server, if you're intrigued by the idea of self-hosting Taiga, be

sure to check them out at www.safeserver.de. They're the go-to experts for all

things hosting and digital transformation.

Couldn't agree more. Self-hosting can seem, you know, daunting at first, but with

the right support, it's a game changer, especially for those who, you know,

prioritize data privacy and control.

Well said. So as we wrap up this deep dive into the world of Taiga, I want to leave

our listeners with one final thought.

Remember, it's not just about the tool itself. It's about the philosophy behind it.

It's about embracing a more agile way of working, a way of thinking that empowers

you to be more flexible, more collaborative, and more responsive to change.

And who knows, maybe by adopting a more agile approach, you'll unlock new levels of

creativity, efficiency, and even enjoyment in your work and personal projects.

Exactly. It's all about finding what works best for you and continuously iterating

and improving along the way.

So until our next deep dive, stay curious, stay agile, and keep those projects

moving.