How can I track progress and manage the actual work?

Use TeamHeadquarters as a meeting tool

TeamHeadquarters can add much value as a meeting tool, for viewing project plans/results and entering in real-time.  It also helps to create action items as tickets as they are identified, rather than writing them down for entry later in 'minutes'.  

Reports

Project reports offer many different ways to track and manage the work:

• View what has been done so far using the Task Cost Report, Completed Tasks Report, Time Sheets, Task Commentary, Queue Activity Report, or Project Summary Report.  

• The current status of your project might be best understood by using the Tasks In Progress Report, Resource Progress Report, Queue Status Report, or Ticket Monitor.

• If you are using tickets related to tasks, then the 'Console View' is invaluable.  See 'How to view the tickets related to a task'.