In recent years, an abundance of project management tools has flooded the software market.
Each one claims to be more intuitive and valuable than the next. Certainly, these tools are useful, and choosing the right service will have a beneficial effect on the organization and productivity of your team. However, the question is, how do we decide between all the options available? Which of these amazing tools are actually amazing?
In this article, we are going to put these tools to the test and determine which project management software will work best for your team.
Why Use Project Management Software?
Project management software helps teams complete projects in a timely and organized manner. They provide tools for scheduling, task delegation, collaboration, and easy file and document sharing, as a result, they allow teams to stay on top of their workload.
The software also offers good tools for analysis. By generating reports on which team members completed which task, they offer insight into individual performance levels. Similarly, they can allow teams to figure out new and better ways to approach tasks based on the results they are getting.
Finally, they help with reporting, which in turn can contribute to any analysis or data you might want to provide for your clients.
Project Management Software: The Key Features
Here are some of the key features to look out for when considering which project management software to implement.
- Real-Time Collaboration – The software should offer communication tools – such as chat – that allow teams to deal with issues as and when they arise.
- Document sharing – Likewise, it should be easy to transfer documents between team members to allow them to work on, and review separate task elements.
- Cost Management – A Project management software should offer tools that allow you to track and manage project costs where appropriate.
- Forecasting – Identify project risks, and create forecasts.
- Reports – Does the software provide report formats that keep the required data on hand for better scheduling.
- Functionality – Generally, the tool should be easy to use and install.
Other Features to Look Out For:
- Do they offer a monthly subscription, or do you have to buy the software outright?
- Can you add extra users to the platform free of charge?
- Can you easily cancel your subscription if it doesn’t meet your team’s needs?
#1. Monday.Com
| 4 Plans: Basic, Standard, Pro, & Enterprise |
Previously known as Dapulse, Monday.Com streamlines your team’s workload into well organized, easily accessible, and easily understandable assignments. In addition, the smooth functioning of this software helps you keep track of all the minor tasks and details that are hidden within a project.
It’s easy to use too, as a result very little training and preparation are required to get started with the Monday software. On top of providing a pleasingly simple interface, they also offer many learning resources for the modern team to take advantage of. Unique scheduling features also facilitate better project planning.
When it comes to inter-team communication, all team members are placed on a single platform so each knows what the other is doing. All project alerts and discussions are stored neatly within the platform meaning they are close to hand and easily accessible during project meetings.
Monday wins for doing everything just that little bit more simple than its competitors. When it comes to project management that ease of use can prove crucial.
| Monday.com Features List | |
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#2. Jira
| 2 Plans: |
Jira is a software that focuses on efficiency, flexibility, and customization. They offer their clients a highly functional and easy to use drag and drop interface that makes tracking multiple projects a breeze. So it’s no wonder over 65,000 teams are currently their software.
Two major planning models are offered in the Jira interface: the kanban board, which focuses on visualizing workflows and task delegation management; and in addition, the scrum board which focuses on planning and delivering very specific time-based bursts of work, called sprints.
Users gain access to each other’s work status, overall project goals, and a general roadmap for looking at the big picture. Further, the Software itself integrates with many of the popular work-related apps and allows for collaboration without the need to switch between platforms to check on a project’s status.
Training for Jira software is offered through the Atlassian University portal. Likewise, this is accompanied by a series of self-help tutorials that are available for a small fee on the Atlassian Marketplace. Finally, there is a community forum that gives users the opportunity to request support and report bugs.
In conclusion, Jira is an easy to use and multifunctional software that will benefit many types of teams. With a flat fee of 10$/month for 10 users, it makes a great option for small teams.
| Jira Features List | |
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#3. Asana
| 4 Plans: Basic, Premium, Business, Enterprise |
Asana is a project management solution that places special emphasis on both tracking and productivity.
The software includes a well laid out interface that is pleasing to the eye and user-friendly. In an act of sheer benevolence, they also offer a free basic account for teams made up of less than 15 people.
An excellent workflow tool, Assana allows you to chart out each step of your project and gather every useful detail into a well-ordered system. The visual aspect of the software facilitates quick and easy project analysis, so you can get up to scratch on a specific project timeline in no time at all.
The timeline feature gives users the option to develop a project plan that displays every part within the whole. This makes it easy to see how the connections all fit together and make tracking the changes simple. You can further regulate your workflow by switching into a calendar view.
Asana is a versatile and well-designed option in the project management software market. Their modern approach to business has led to the creation of a great product that is backed up by great support staff.
| Asana Features list | |
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#4. Wrike
| 6 Plans Free, Professional, Business, Marketing, Professional Services, Enterprise |
Wrike is a cloud-based software that is known for its excellent tracking and collaboration features. It also excels in the reporting capabilities that it provides to each team member. These stand out features can help turn your team’s strategy into a workable plan that can be streamlined and adapted in real-time.
The software can be bought in five specific plans which all offer a different specialized set of tools for your particular type of business. The standard professional, business and enterprise plans are accompanied by both a marketing and a professional services plan. Basically, there is something for every type of business and every size of business.
Wrike is customizable so workflows can be tailored to suit your own preferences, the standard layout is a three-pane panel view that gives clear visibility over project actions. This layout lets you view important data on one screen, giving clear visibility on project operations. From here you can request updates from your team members, monitor work progress, and sort your data into either task or project folders.
It is Wrike’s powerful analytics that helps you easily create reports. These reports are useful for inter-team communication, or to update people at the executive and shareholder level. Wrike was the winner of the Finances Online Best Project Management Software Award for 2018.
| Wrike Features List | |
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Top Project Management Softwares: Key Takeaways
Streamlining your business’ workflow is good for both team spirit and your bottom line.
Every option on this list provides the “must-have” features of a good project management software. Most notably they are all easy to use, and they provide good opportunity for customization. This means it will take you no time to get your team started and after you grow familiar with the software you can make it work more specifically for your team.
There are many other project management tools that provide high-quality service, and some could perhaps be better for a more specific type of company. However, this list provides the best overall project management software in general.
