Which project management software to choose? Top 5 software for project management of startups
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Why do startups need project management software?
The project management software (task managers) is widely used by tech companies. These programs attract them, because they allow for centralized planning and operational control of tasks, as well as allow you to calculate the time to complete tasks, fulfill SLA agreements, calculate KPI performance parameters, synchronize the actions of several teams involved in different stages of the project. These apps provide communication between departments within the company and communication with external contractors.
This software automates user support (granting access rights, controlling communication on mailboxes, working with back-office resources), freeing you from routine operations, saving time and allowing you to more effectively solve current problems.
In this guide, we’ll consider the advantages and disadvantages of common project management software: JIRA, Trello, Basecamp, Asana.
Best project management software for startups
Jira
The JIRA system provides automatic management of any project in a company of any size and monitors failures in the project schedule.
JIRA setup and special filters allow each employee of the company and managers at all levels to exchange information with each other. A new employee or manager is involved in any stage of the project or in any group, where the task performed by him is fixed and the deadlines are monitored.
Joint file editing allows you to work as a separate workgroup in one file and track the update and progress of each team task.
JIRA allows you to view the entire process of the project developers, identify obstacles to its implementation, identify emerging errors in the use of JIRA by customers and their quick elimination.
Pros:
- Ability to create your own workflow-schemes;
- Ability to customize the visibility of fields, including additional case attributes;
- Many beautifully illustrated icons and blanks for generating statistical reports on bug filters;
- The ability to select the address for receiving reports for each task — through the worklog or as just a comment, with the adjustment of the level of transparency and highlighting for each comment;
- Ability to rank tasks by type;
- You can determine the importance of tasks and define subtasks for each task, in the form of a single-level tree;
- The ability to determine who should receive an alert for each event (user, executor, group, project manager, etc.);
- Subscribing to receive desired results;
- Ability to set between requests and tasks of any number and types of relationships;
- Possibility of integration with CVS, for joint work on one project to several developers;
- Easy and quick JIRA installation.
- Data storage on the server and in the cloud;
- Pricing starts at $10.
Cons:
- Dependencies are displayed as a list, not in a chart form;
- There are no keywords, flags, or related functionality;
- No trial versions.
With JIRA systems, project management becomes clear and easy. Take a look at video overview:
Trello
Trello software has become widespread among compact teams, as this project management system is endowed with the minimum necessary tools, sufficient for small projects and startups.
The free version has a minimal set of features, but at any time you can upgrade and expand the functionality.
The basis of this service is the Kanban management system, which is based on prioritization and consistent overview of features over fixed sprints.
Pros:
- Simplicity and accessibility;
- Easy to use and clear interface.
- Laconic chats and Trello boards “what to do”, “what is being done”, “what has been done”;
- Notifications
- The Trello calendar feature adds clarity to scheduling;
- Free version
Cons:
- A small set of tools;
- Works only in the cloud;
- Extensions are available with paid subscriptions only.
Trello web application helps you start the work quickly and get things done on time. Here is a video overview of Trello:
Basecamp
The Basecamp service allows you to manage the project, add new participants, define their roles, set tasks, monitor the progress of the project online, download text files and images, and of course, comment on everything.
In the latest, third version, the restrictions on the number of projects for all plans have been removed. Now you can assign several tasks to one employee at a time. They also improved the work of chats, both private (pings) and group (campfire). Chats with clients are allocated in separate groups.
The free version of the Basecamp is too limited in features, so it’s recommended to upgrade if you’d like to do real work.
Pros:
- Ease of use;
- Intuitive interface;
- Integrations with popular services;
- The ability to develop stand-alone add-ons through access to the API;
- Free version;
- Mobile version;
- Team polls (check-in) in automatic mode;
- Setting the rest time at which Basecamp does not send alerts;
- Applause button (applause) in the posts;
- Timeline feature;
Cons:
- Very limited range of features in the free version;
- Difficulties in customizing the web version;
- The service has many features unnecessary for small projects.
Check out this quick overview of Basecamp from Lukas:
Asana
Asana service helps organize the work of the project team within the service, through the use of convenient task lists. Everything unfolds on the built-in desktop. The service allows you to use the API. There are mobile applications. About Asana service, the most positive reviews.
Pros:
- Diverse functionality and good detail;
- Tasks can be set in several levels;
- Convenient and beautiful interface;
- The system is suitable for large and small projects;
- Ability to rank tasks by priority;
- The system of commenting and communication with colleagues is very convenient;
- Asana Russian version adds popularity to the program in our country;
- There is a free version and Asana can be downloaded for free.
Cons:
- There is no local version of the program;
- The service cannot be bought, as it is provided only for a monthly rental of $ 8.
The Asana service review takes up little space, but, despite this, the program is useful for both large and small teams involved in one or more projects. The Asana program analogs cannot win its adherents because of its functionality and simplicity.
Here is a video walkthrough:
How to choose project management software?
In all task managers, you can set tasks and mark completed ones. Then the differences begin: one service has kanban boards, the other has integration with IP-telephony. One service may have the required minimum of functions, and it will take more than one month to adapt to the second. Therefore, we identified 7 criteria for evaluating the task manager, by which you can check the most popular software:
- Ease of use. It affects how quickly the team adapts to the software and whether it wants to use it. If you need to look in the FAQ to understand how to set a task or change the deadlines of a task, something is wrong with the task manager.
- Statement of the problem. Affects what information you can add to the task. Kanban, list by people.
- Time tracking. Based on time, you will see how busy the employees are and how much time the tasks take on average. Companies with an hourly pay system use time tracking to evaluate project costs and employee salaries.
- Integration. Task Manager will not replace the messenger or personal calendar. But with integrations, you can associate the right application with the task manager. So, the deadlines for completing tasks will go to Google Calendar, and the created task can be immediately discussed in Slack.
- Reports. If the task manager supports the reporting function, you can calculate the ROI or margin, predict the loading of the team and evaluate the performance.
- Tech support. Like the usability criterion, it affects the speed of adaptation of the team and the desire to work with the service. Technical support is also needed if you want to integrate a third-party application or negotiate a plan for the company.
- Mobile version. In order to not tie an employee to a PC, it should be possible to set and change tasks, communicate and add files from your smartphone.
Project management software is an essential tool for managing startup teams, especially the remote ones. Bytheway, we have years of experience providing software development services to clients worldwide and can assist you in choosing the right software for your team, just drop us a message.
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