Project management software is great for improving your business’s productivity, making collaboration a breeze, aiding time management and improving team communication when planning and executing projects.
Team leaders and project managers can delegate and track the progress of assignments, set schedules and keep stakeholders up-to-date on multiple projects—whether top level executives or customers. Everyone can see where a project stands in real time, whether it’s work yet to be completed, or potential issues that could affect the budget or deadline.
If you are thinking about investing in project management software, here are some popular options:
Trello
Trello offers a simple interface consisting of updatable lists with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality. Share your lists with as many people as required and reorder them as often as required. Add checklists, assign labels and due dates, and upload files from your computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box or OneDrive. Turn on notifications to be alerted about upcoming deadlines.
You can test-drive Trello using the free option. The Business Class package offers business-grade administrative controls and security for $3.75 per user per month.
Wrike
In one clean interface, organize and track your entire project, and share information with key stakeholders. Break large goals into more manageable ones that team members can tackle quicker, and attach files from just about any source. You can also make communication more efficient by adding “@” before teammates’ names to allow them to instantly see and respond to your questions or comments.
Basic task management is free for up to five users. Professional packages start at $49 per month for five users.
Smartsheet
This software allows you to manage simple tasks and truly complex processes. The “spreadsheet easy” collaboration tool is familiar, so it’s not a difficult transition for employees. You can automate workflows, create Gantt charts, assign and monitor work, set deadlines, alerts and more. Smartsheet is designed to scale quickly, and offers state of the art security and controls.
Basic packages start at $14 a month when paying annually, and there’s a free trial.
Mavenlink
Easily manage project budgets and project timelines, allocate resources, track time and expenses, review workflows and collaborate with the rest of your team. In addition, gain instant reports regarding the key details and progress of a project, and access to valuable business intelligence to improve planning future projects. In addition, receive expert training on how to use the software.
Packages for teams start at $19 monthly for up to five users.
ProjectInsight
ProjectInsight offers 12 customizable templates for creating a workspace that works for you and your team. Use the inline editing feature to rapidly create and edit projects. Track time and expenses, discover lead and lag times, assign work, and auto-reschedule tasks. In addition, run hundreds of canned reports or easily modify them to meet your needs. Post comments and keep all project information in a central location viewable by all stakeholders, or customize your collaboration stream to view only what you want to see.
Request a demo to learn more and find out about pricing options.
Salesforce
Salesforce allows your sales and marketing teams to manage an unlimited number of contacts, to harvest and track sales leads, manage customer accounts and marketing campaigns, and provide post-sale service as needed. Outlook users can synchronize their contacts, calendars, emails and tasks and access them all in one place. In addition, Chatter, the social media application, allows your entire organization to network and collaborate.
Basic sales and marketing packages for up to 5 users start at $25 per user per month, billed annually, and the company offers a free trial period.
If some of your employees work remotely, you use the services of freelancers or consultants, or customers and vendors regularly collaborate with your in-house staff; project management software brings a dispersed team together with the click of a button, and increases the efficiency and productivity of your team almost immediately.