Project management tools give the project manager the technical support required to run a successful project.
A checklist is fine for simpler tasks, but complex jobs need careful planning, assignments, deadlines, keeping everyone on track, and accounting for the team’s time. There is a great demand for accurate assessing, quantifying, breaking down and delegating tasks. That’s when project management tools are beneficial.
It can be difficult for project managers to identify the best tools for each project and use them to further their business goals, so we prepared a guide for you.
What should I look for in a project management tool?
The very first thing you should look for in a project management tool is a simple and intuitive interface. Many project management tools overwhelm users with information yet under-deliver functionality. A tool that looks good and is intuitive to use will make the whole project less painful and result in better business outcomes.
A project management tool needs to be useful for a small business, offering basic project management capabilities and inventory control, time tracking, and customer management.
The best free project management tools
Kissflow
Kissflow Project is a management solution that may be used by specialized project managers and those who are new to managing projects. Its user-friendly and appealing graphics make this one-stop solution an outstanding alternative for all sorts of enterprises, with custom forms, rule-based WIP restrictions, and customizable boards tailored to your project-specific requirements.
Monday
Monday.com is a cloud-based platform that enables businesses to build their apps and work management software. It’s adaptable and provides a clear way to organize your work, with project templates to create your boards. Numerous display options are available, including a map view and a calendar view. They also provide excellent security.
Wrike
Wrike is a project management tool that allows for unlimited users. Workflows, dashboards, reports, and request forms can all be customized. You can prioritize tasks to move the most important ones forward and meet deadlines. It also has many integration options, making it a powerful project management suite. It is ideal for various organizational teams such as marketing, software development, and professional services.
Asana
Asana is essentially task management software. This means it will help prioritize tasks, manage time more efficiently and hit deadlines. Asana has many features for productivity and collaboration, but many of the core project management features work through integrations which may not be ideal for all users. It’s suitable for small and medium-sized businesses but not for freelancers.
ClickUp
ClickUp is a powerful project management software tool that allows you to manage and complete all of your team’s projects on a single platform. Users can use a centralized workspace to plan projects, schedule tasks, manage resources, and communicate and collaborate with team members and guests.
Other tools for team collaboration
Besides project management tools, you can use many other types of software to collaborate, especially if your staff is working from home.
For easy integration of everyday platforms, one can use Zapier or IFTTT. They are great for syncing social media posts or keeping more than one project management tool.
GSuite, Dropbox and Notion allow for collaborative writing in a cloud-based app and can be linked back to the project management tool of your choice. You can also opt for time management with tools like Toggl or communication with Slack.
However, having access to a project management tool is not enough. You need to know your business and understand your strengths.
