For simple programs I keep using ordinary make, it serves the purpose well, use simply type "make" and you're done. The only problem is the required tab characters in the Makefiles - it's inconvenient if your editor is configured to replace tabs with spaces. Also for larger projects that are supposed to be multiplatform I recommend using CMake.
I use GNU/Make since severals months. It's an "not too complicated" tool to easilly manage compilation, installation, generations...
I'm using it on my 2 projects: #pholow and #bashsimplecurses. Both use GNU/Make to compile and/or install my project.
The make language can quickly simplify your project compilation.
Keep in mind !