Deciding on which project management tool is appropriate for your business can get a bit challenging, especially if the IT software you use is mostly limited to basic programs for word processing and spreadsheets.
If you’re interested in enhancing your company’s IT infrastructure by using project management software but are unsure of which alternative to choose, some industry knowledge could help.
Here, we give advice on what to look for in a project management tool and provide examples of the top project management software so you can jump into 2023 ready to take on any task.
Essential features
As expected, various project management tools are marketed as being the best available on the market. However, if you look deeper, you’ll discover that certain products are more popular than others.
The top project management tools all share the following fundamental characteristics:
1. Simple task lists
A project management tool should be simple enough to be used for delegating tasks to different team members and updating information.
A lot of project management software have drag-and-drop functionality, which makes it simple for users to rearrange and update tasks and reassign them as necessary.
2. Ease of scheduling
It’s critical for project management software to have clear, user-friendly, and easy-to-read scheduling functions.
It should feature a simple, uncomplicated scheduling element (e.g., a calendar, Gantt chart, or milestone marker) that enables everyone to see where their jobs fit and gain a clear understanding of when they need to get things done.
3. Seamless file exchange
The greatest project management solutions make it simple for users to share files. This means that users should have no trouble sharing and organising documents, so everyone stays updated and has access to the latest information about their project.
4. Ease of communication
Project management software that lacks effective communication features is little more than an oversized online calendar.
The right project management tool should make it simple for users to communicate with or update one another and/or project managers to ask questions, offer comments, raise concerns, and resolve issues.
Our Top 5
The best project management tools are designed to make your and your team’s lives easier. They can help your staff in completing tasks quickly and efficiently.
Still, with so many project management solutions on the market, you might not even know where to begin. Here’s a list of the top five project management tools for 2022:
1. Trello - $
Undoubtedly one of the most well-known and beginner-friendly online applications for project collaboration and management, Trello has a simple user interface. It’s also scalable and offers a ton of functionality, plenty of integrations (e.g., with Slack, Gmail, Salesforce, etc.), and reliable automation.
If you wish to try it out, you can start with a basic plan that’s free to use.
2. Asana - $
Asana is another popular platform for managing projects and collaboration as it offers many benefits that organisations find appealing. It’s easy to navigate and makes task assignment and tracking a breeze. It has scalable collaborative features for big teams and task automation, and features various task views, including lists, calendars, and Kanban boards. It’s also easy to integrate with other platforms.
Up to 15 people can use a free plan by Asana.
3. JIRA - $
The target market for JIRA is primarily software development teams. People who operate in this field can utilise JIRA to make customisable, simple scrum and Kanban boards.
Agile reporting in real time is another key feature of JIRA. It helps team members stay on top of their tasks and keep up with what their co-workers are accomplishing. It also features tools for bug tracking, evaluating open issues, and keeping tabs on how much time is spent on specific activities. It can also integrate with various software applications easily.
4. Monday.com - $$
Monday.com combines an aesthetically pleasing interface with practical project visualising tools. It provides a transparent way to keep work organised and is versatile. It also features project templates at the top that allow you to create your own boards, and various display views, including calendar and map view.
5. Basecamp - $$$
To-do lists, file sharing, and group chat are just a few of the capabilities available in Basecamp, a web-based project management application. It’s easy to use and helps with team organisation and productivity. Basecamp can also be integrated easily with popular productivity tools like Evernote and Google Drive.
Whichever project management tool you’ll go for, consider your operational needs and ask questions about the product.
