Everybody manages projects in a different way. Some prefer to manage their tasks through their mailbox. Some still like the old-fashioned pen-and-paper method. Others prefer to visualise work on an organized board or in a calendar view.
That’s acceptable for your own use, but when working on projects as a team, you need a capable and adaptable project management solution that meets the needs of each person involved. Furthermore, there is a greater need than ever for a task management app that can facilitate communication, track projects, and keep everyone updated because so many teams still operate remotely. In this article, we are going to discuss the best project management tools in 2024. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
What are project management tools?
Project management software is an essential component that offers a vital collection of features for managing various projects across various industries. With the help of this digital solution, project managers and their teams can collaborate effectively, ensuring that goals are met on schedule and improving resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Project management software’s main objective is to improve the planning, scheduling, carrying out, and delivery of projects. It allows smooth communication between stakeholders by integrating a number of features, such as task management, time tracking, file sharing, and communication tools.
What to look for when choosing a project management tool?
When choosing the best project management software, the following factors should be taken into consideration:
Easy to Use
The ease of use of a platform is critical to its success. Team members are more likely to adopt software that is clear and simple to use.
Tools for Collaboration
Project management relies on teamwork and effective communication. It’s essential to have tools that make file sharing, comments, and discussions easier.
Customizable and Growable
The software should be flexible enough to expand with your company, easily supporting new projects and adjusting to changing needs.
Works Well with Other Tools
Workflow and efficiency are improved by easy integration with various platforms and technologies, such as email services, cloud storage, and financial applications.
Reports and Data
Managers can see how their projects are developing with the use of useful data and analytics, allowing them to make any necessary adjustments or decisions.
What separates the top free project management tool from the rest?
In order to reduce the number of the best free project management tools on the Internet, these are the characteristics that you can look for in a project management tool:
- No cost for a number of free projects. You can handle an unlimited number of projects for free with all of the project tracking tools that you select.
- While there are several excellent free self-hosted project management tools available. Their setup and administration need more time. It should involve task management software hosted by the tool providers. I suggest looking for Taiga, Lavagna, and Redmine if you’re looking for free, self-hosted project management tools.
- Features for sharing and collaboration. Adding team members to your project management setup and controlling user types and permissions is quick and simple. Using the free project management tools we’ve mentioned here.
- Adaptability, look for programs that allow a variety of diverse viewpoints and project management approaches because the finest project managers are adaptable enough to accommodate multiple teams, project types, and organizational styles.
- Integrations, since the goal of a successful project management tool is to work effectively with the rest of your system. Look for tools that have the ability to link with calendars, email, Slack, document storage, and other popular tools.
5 Best Project Management Tools
Here are some of the best project management tools:
- Asana
With the help of this project management tool, you can divide up your work into parts and sub-lists and view your progress on dashboards. Just as with a to-do list software, you’ll add, rearrange, and finish things in the same manner, but with the teamwork and organization capabilities you require.
You can create additional lists in Asana that are shared with only particular individuals for tasks that are personal or pertain to your work but don’t fit neatly into a project. Additionally, your assigned tasks will appear on your My Tasks page so you can quickly take care of what you need to see.
- Airtable
Airtable allows you to create your project management solution if you’ve tried various programs but haven’t found the right one. With a default interface similar to a spreadsheet, the software is ready to use right out of the box. It also proposes a few templated projects based on your team’s position within the organisation. You can create your own project from the beginning, explore the remaining templates, or begin with one of the suggested templates.
Customizing Airtable to meet your particular needs will need some straight away work, but the possibilities are endless if you’re prepared to put in the effort. Everything is customizable, including column headings, field types, data validation, technique, and display type.
- Trello
Trello is an easy project management tool that allows you to use Kanban boards to arrange your tasks. It’s a tool that anybody can use, too, with an affordable free version that allows 10 boards per workspace and an infinite number of users. Teams may use Trello to create a comprehensive project workflow with visibility at every stage, and freelancers can use it to arrange their assignments on a personal board.
Start by starting from zero when making a new board or selecting a template from hundreds of possibilities related to sales, marketing, design, team management, and other areas. Create several lists for your tasks, and then personalize those lists with the steps in your workflow, or with each part of your project. To keep things organized, add your tasks as visual cards to each column, complete with labels, due dates, members, checklists, photos, attachments, and comments. You just need to drag the cards to the relevant list when you finish tasks. From the activity menu, you may monitor all comments and tasks that reference you or that you are watching.
- ClickUp
There aren’t many task views available in most project management tools, such as a list, calendar, or Kanban view. Extra views are typically a paid service, particularly for Gantt charts. ClickUp works differently.
With this easy-to-use and cost-free project management application, you may select from 11 distinct work views, such as mind maps and Gantt charts. Additionally, there are four distinct page views available: Chat, which shows discussions next to what you have to do, Doc, which enables you to create documents, wikis, and knowledge bases, and Embed, which allows you to add apps and websites to your tasks. With over 20 distinct widgets to select from, ClickUp’s dashboards are equally customizable, allowing you to just display the most crucial project details. You can now see details, create subtasks, and add attachments more easily because of a redesigned task details interface. You can even measure time within the task itself.
- ActiveCollab
ActiveCollab is an ideal option if you want to handle client projects and other information like time tracking and invoicing in one location.
Designed with agencies and independent contractors in mind, the app has smart functions that make client administration easier. From the job details panel, you may set work as chargeable or not, estimate and track the time for each task, and manage expenses. Capable user permissions that make it simple to allow clients into your process without revealing anything you don’t want to are included in even the affordable subscription. To hide any job from client users, just click the “Hidden from clients” box. Alternatively, you can offer a more collaborative user role for clients who are more hands-on by adding the Client+ add-on. To manage assignments and team connectivity, select Workload from the menu on the left. Then, click Reports for an overview of customer invoices and payments, team projects and tasks, and time and money tracking.
Why do companies need project management tools?
The importance of project management software in increasing productivity and project success rates has been highlighted by a recent study. In addition, it is expected that the market for project management solutions will develop, indicating the growing acceptance of their importance in the successful completion of projects.
The success of a project can be greatly impacted by the software selection used for project management. Companies can choose a project management solution that best meets their needs by carefully considering the many software options, understanding what is needed, and avoiding common selection errors. This will improve project outcomes and the performance of companies.
Ending Thoughts
There are a lot of the best project management tools available. However, many of them will advertise “free” plans that are actually not really free, which means you have to upgrade in order to handle all of your tasks. With the best free task management software, you can complete your tasks without spending any money at all. Additionally, they’ll provide you with more powerful features at more advanced levels as your requirements change.