Project management software has become invaluable to project leaders all over the world. They make use of them every day to keep track of all of the tasks that need doing, who’s working on them, and whether or not those tasks are being completed on time.
Some project management tools may also have built-in communication features that enable administrators to more effectively dispatch the personnel and resources they have at their disposal to where they’re needed most for the job. Others may focus on collaboration, allowing everyone who’s working on a single project to see who’s doing what, and when. Some software solutions push calendar functionality to the forefront or prioritise easy integration with other software applications.
Given the sheer variety of choices available, those who may not be very familiar with project management software could find themselves overwhelmed when deciding on one to use. To help you get started, here are four user-friendly options that you can check out:
Asana
People who are crazy about productivity absolutely love Asana. This feature-packed online and mobile collaboration tool was specially designed with teams in mind, allowing them to organise, track, and manage their work.
That being said, it technically cannot be considered a full-fledged project management platform as it lacks budgeting and expense tracking features as well as resource management tools. However, Asana more than makes up for what it doesn’t have in its ability to simplify the process of managing tasks and workflows.
Both the web and the mobile applications feature clean, well-designed interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use, making it a great choice for people who have just gotten into using work management tools. Asana is also extremely flexible, allowing end-users to choose what kind of work they want to track as well as how to best make use of its available features. There are four available tiers of service: Basic, Premium, Business, and Enterprise. If you’d like to give it a try, you’ll be happy to know that the Basic version is free to use.
Basecamp
Sometimes, the success or failure of a project depends heavily on how well the people working on it can communicate and collaborate. Basecamp is for teams that believe they work best when they work together. It combines work management and communication perfectly on an uncluttered interface and is an excellent starting point for beginner users who are just getting into project management software.
Basecamp’s standout features include message boards, to-do lists, document and file sharing, group chats, and automated check-ins. It also boasts shared calendars that can easily be integrated with popular apps such as Google Calendar, Apple’s iCalendar, and Outlook. Any team that has gotten used to working on projects through emails and meetings will love how Basecamp can keep them tracked and organised from a single window. If you want to give it a try, they offer a 30-day free trial.
Teamwork
Most full-fledged project management software systems assume that the user has a working knowledge of project management. This means that they can be rather complex for the average user, and even more so for a novice.
That said, Teamwork is the tool for the aspiring project manager looking to leap over the learning curve. Full-featured and a joy to learn how to use, it’s a straightforward option for those who value simplicity and efficiency.
Teamwork’s intuitive dashboard allows you to view tasks as Kanban boards or traditional lists. Additionally, it gives you the option to show only your most recent tasks, streamlining your view even if you’re handling multiple projects at once. Other functions include time tracking, resource management, and reporting. Individual users and small teams can start using Teamwork for free. Teamwork also offers an Enterprise version for organisations in need of a more custom solution.
Trello
Last but not least, Trello is a full-featured project management platform for beginners who may not yet have much experience in using such systems. It has a visual card-based interface that anyone can easily pick up and start using immediately. Each task is given its own card within the application, and users can make any changes they want from those boards, including adding custom fields, priorities, and tags. These cards can then be dragged and dropped around the main dashboard in any order the user wishes.
This tool is truly the definition of a sleeper system. Though it seems simple at first glance, it packs a lot of power under the hood. Best of all, Trello’s free tier supports unlimited cards and unlimited members, making it an excellent option for individuals just getting started in project management.
Nowadays, relying on paper and spreadsheets simply isn’t practical nor efficient anymore. So whether you’re taking on a complicated personal project or are looking into becoming a professional project manager, it’s best to familiarise yourself with the tools of the trade that can make the job easier. Indeed, tackling complex ventures that have several moving parts requires modern solutions that can help you keep an eye on everything that’s going on at once. Try out these tried-and-tested project management tools for yourself and see which one best suits your needs.
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