Many times I have been asked what tools exist or are used to manage projects apart from the well-known Microsoft Project.
Ensuring that one application is better than another, or trying to make a top 10 of the best would be a complex task, given that the best application will be the one that best suits your particular needs.
There are very powerful tools but also very complex where the learning curve is very accentuated, instead we have other applications that being also very functional are easier to use and usually have a lower cost.
The idea of writing this article is to let you know a total of 10 applications that are widely used to manage projects and summarize which aspects are the most important so you can make an informed decision and if you have interest, try a demo of them to decide if indeed it is the tool you need to manage your projects or those of your organization.
This list does not pretend to be a top 10, they are not classified from best to worst, they are simply commented highlighting the most important characteristics of each one.
Let’s start then:
1) JIRA
JIRA is a web-based application for tracking errors, incidents and for the operational management of projects. Jira is also used in non-technical areas for task management.
The tool was developed by the Australian company Atlassian. Initially Jira was used for software development, serving as support for the management of requirements, monitoring of the status and later for the tracking of errors.
As a curiosity, the name of this project management application is derived from the Japanese name for Godzilla “Gojira”
2) BASECAMP
It is a popular tool that performs very basic functions that have been optimized over the years to manage and coordinate projects in a simple and effective way.
Its ease of use means that in most cases you do not need to use a tutorial to learn how to use its functions.
The application works from a browser, allowing different users to connect from anywhere with Internet access.
3) ASANA
Asana is a web and mobile application designed to improve team communication and collaboration. It was developed by Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and engineer Justin Rosenstein, who had, among other occupations, improve the productivity of Facebook employees.
It is a collaborative application for the management of tasks and projects. It has many functionalities, such as workspaces, projects, personal projects, tasks, labels, notes, comments and a mailbox that organizes and updates the information in real time.
It is designed to make it easier for people and teams to plan and manage their projects and tasks. Each team has a workspace. Workspaces contain projects and projects contain tasks.
4) KANBAN TOOL
Kanban Tool is a solution for visual process management that helps teams to work more efficiently, visualize workflow, analyze and improve work processes according to Kanban methods.
5) SINNAPS
Sinnaps is a very powerful and visual project management tool that helps you plan your projects and share the management of them with other team components. Sinnaps uses PERT techniques (Project Evaluation and Review Techniques) and CPM (Critical Path Method) to help you plan your projects and obtain the best possible workflows. It allows, among other things, to create workflows collaboratively and reuse processes.
6) PODIUM
Citrix Podio is a social collaboration tool where you can create applications and configure workspaces to support your workflows, powerful and visual tool that now form part of the compendium of applications of the well-known technology company Citrix. It is compatible with other CRM-type applications and also with ShareFile and GoToMeeting.
7) WRIKE
It is an online tool for project management and collaboration. Allows users to adjust their project plans, prioritize tasks, be aware of planning and collaborate online with their teammates. Wrike’s main objective is to order the work process and allow companies to prioritize the most important tasks
All the versions incorporate a flow of activity that informs users about any type of action carried out by other users belonging to a specific work group.
Wrike software also incorporates social functions and is integrated with other programs such as Google Apps, Microsoft Outlook, Buy Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, Google Drive, Dropbox, Apple Mail, Box, IBM Connections, etc.
8) CLARIZEN
Powerful visual collaborative tool for project management with multiple functionalities and integration possibilities among which stand out:
- Project Planning
- Document Management
- Templates
- Resource Management
- Change Request and Issues Management
- Social Collaboration
- Real-Time Portfolio View
- External Collaboration
- Budget & Expense Management
- Mobile Connectivity
- Integrations: Salesforce.com, Box, Intact, QuickBooks, Jira, SharePoint, Google Docs, ProofHQ, etc.
- Risk Management
9) SMARTSHEET
Tool very easy to use but with many possibilities, among others helps to obtain information about the functionalities of work administration and collaboration in the cloud as notifications of changes, reminders, shared files, Gantt charts and web forms for data collection.
It allows generating alerts and reminders, creating and sharing Gantt charts, generating reports, etc. It is used in various companies, such as the well-known Groupon (see success story here )
10) MICROSOFT PROJECT
Not least, on the contrary, Microsoft Project is possibly the most popular and well-known project management tool, defended by some and criticized by others equally.
With different versions that go from Project Lite for team members to versions in the cloud (Project Online) through the most complete corporate version (Project Server).
Microsoft Project is a very powerful project management tool, but to use it correctly we must train properly given that the advanced options offered by the application have an accentuated learning curve.
