The Top 12 Best Project Planning Software Solutions for 2024
Project planning is the process of defining the scope, objectives, tasks, timeline, and resources needed to complete a project successfully. It involves outlining the steps required to achieve the project goals, assigning responsibilities, and setting milestones to track progress. Effective project planning ensures that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.
Project planning software provides structure to reliably organize and manage projects and lets project managers set goals, schedule tasks, allocate resources, and track progress. Software improves efficiency, teamwork, and project success.
Features of the best project planning software include defining project scope, breaking down tasks, scheduling, allocating resources, budgeting, managing risks, setting milestones, and planning communication. These tools help keep the project organized and on track for successful completion.
Project planning is a universal business concept and there is no shortage of project methodologies, and the best project planning software is flexible enough to handle these different approaches:
Waterfall
This methodology is a linear and sequential approach where each phase of the project must be completed before moving on to the next. It is one of the oldest and most traditional project management methodologies.
Agile
Agile is an iterative and incremental approach that focuses on flexibility, collaboration, and customer feedback .Agile is all about working on projects in short, manageable cycles called sprints. It’s widely used in software development but can be applied to other types of projects as well. Agile project planning software is essential for any team using the Agile methodology. Agile is all about working on projects in short, manageable cycles called sprints, allowing teams to be flexible and adapt quickly to changes.
Scrum
This is a specific framework within Agile that focuses on delivering small increments of work through sprints. It includes specific roles, events, and artifacts.
Kanban
Sometimes it’s ideal to take a more visual approach to project management that uses a board with columns representing different stages of the workflow. It emphasizes continuous delivery and improvement.
Lean
This methodology focuses on maximizing value by eliminating waste and optimizing processes. It originated in manufacturing but has been adapted for use in various industries.
Six Sigma
This data-driven methodology aims to improve quality by identifying and eliminating defects and variability in processes. DMAIC process: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control.
PRINCE2
(PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a process-based methodology that provides a structured approach to project management, with a focus on organization and control.
Critical Path Method
(CPM) is a step-by-step project management technique that identifies the longest path of planned activities to the end of the project.
Critical Chain Project Management
(CCPM) is a methodology that focuses on resource management and addresses the limitations of CPM by considering resource constraints.
Hybrid
Last but not least, hybrid methodologies combine elements from different project management approaches to suit the specific needs of a project or organization.
Project Planning Software Benefits for Business Growth
Implementing the best project planning software provides numerous benefits that can help your business grow.
Improved Efficiency: Streamlines project planning and execution processes, reducing time and effort.
Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates better communication and teamwork, leading to more effective project outcomes.
Accurate Resource Management: Optimizes resource allocation, ensuring that projects have the necessary resources without overburdening them.
Better Time Management: Helps in tracking time and meeting deadlines, ensuring timely project completion.
Cost Control: Provides tools for budgeting and cost management, helping to keep projects within financial limits.
Risk Mitigation: Identifies and manages risks proactively, reducing the likelihood of project delays or failures.
Informed Decision-Making: Offers data-driven insights and analytics to support better project planning and management decisions.
Scalability: Supports the management of multiple projects and complex project portfolios as the business grows.
Increased Accountability: Enhances transparency and accountability through detailed tracking and reporting.
Higher Quality Outcomes: Ensures that projects meet quality standards through effective planning and monitoring.
Customer Satisfaction: Improves client satisfaction by delivering projects on time, within budget, and to the expected quality.
Competitive Advantage: Provides the tools to manage projects more effectively than competitors, leading to a stronger market position.
Project planning software can help your business manage projects more efficiently, reduce costs, improve collaboration, and support sustainable growth.
Regardless of your approach to project planning, when it comes to finding the right project planning software online solution for your business, here are some features to look for:
Task and Milestone Management
Gantt Charts
Resource Management
Collaboration Tools
Time Tracking
Budgeting and Cost Management
Risk Management
Document Management
Reporting and Analytics
Integration Capabilities
Automated Workflows
Customizable Dashboards
For a lot of growing businesses, it’s not always easy to find the right compliance management software solution. With so many choices out there, it can be hard to know which online project planning software really fits the unique needs of your industry, your business, and your budget.
Don’t worry, there’s good news—finding the best project planning software for your business has never been easier.
We’re here to help. Our software experts have compiled a comprehensive breakdown of The Top 15 Best Project Planning Software Solutions for 2024.
*Note: Our project planning software reviews are for informational purposes only. We encourage you to perform research and demo several compliance management software online systems to achieve the most comprehensive comparison.
1. Striven
Striven is an all-in-one ERP business management software solution built with small to mid-market businesses in mind. Our sophisticated software combines contractor and subcontractor project management tools, CRM, sales performance metrics, lead tracking, collaboration tools, accounting, purchasing, HR and payroll, operations, inventory, task management tools, (and so much more) into a single, easy-to-use interface. Striven is an infinitely capable software solution that supports every type of employee within your company.
Highlights:
- Project, task, and time management w/ interactive calendar
- Detailed financial and productivity reports generated in seconds
- Fully integrated CRM
- Contractor and subcontractor management
- Self-service portals
- Scheduling & dispatch route planning capabilities
- Fully integrated accounting
- Complete HR functionality
- Sales and lead tracking
- Comprehensive project planning
What Sets It Apart: Striven’s expert team of business analysts personally see to your success. From training and onboarding, technical support, and business-specific customizations, our US-based Striven Support Team is available 24/7. On top of that, Striven’s automation capabilities allow you to work more efficiently.
Pricing: Free trial and custom demo, packages begin at $35/user.
More info: Striven Earns Numerous Awards For Q4 2023
2. Jira
Developed by Atlassian, Jira project management and agile project planning software is highly popular among software development teams for its Agile project management features, including sprint planning and issue tracking.
Highlights:
- Scrum & Kanban boards
- Out-of-the-box reports and dashboards
- Customizable project planning management software
What Sets It Apart: Geared towards product development teams with features like dependency management and roadmap, Jira integrates with development tools like Figma and GitHub.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $7.16 /user/mo.
3. Asana
Asana project planning software is a popular project management platform known for its user-friendly interface and powerful task management capabilities, ideal for team collaboration.
Highlights:
- Run your most complex projects
- Manage, track, and allocate resources
- More clarity and accountability
What Sets It Apart: From strategic planning and coordinating product launches to managing team resources and more, Asana AI is here to help.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $10.99 /user/mo.
4. ClickUp
ClickUp project planning and management software unites teams with connected workflows, documents, real-time dashboards, and more—enabling faster progress, smarter work, and time savings.
Highlights:
- Comprehensive knowledge and work management
- Standardize and scale online project planning and management best practices
- Customizable views for cross-functional projects
What Sets It Apart: Voice commands can check your notifications, create reminders, tasks, and more.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $7 /user/mo.
5. Trello
Trello is flexible project planning software that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and projects visually, based on the Kanban methodology.
Highlights:
- Link your favorite tools with Trello plugins
- View projects from every angle
- Easy-to-use templates from the Trello community
What Sets It Apart: Free project planning software online tool for large Agile teams who like using Kanban boards to manage projects.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $5 /user/mo.
6. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a versatile project planning software platform that combines project management with spreadsheet-like features, suitable for a wide range of project types.
Highlights:
- Streamline the review process and centralize feedback
- Maintain version control and track changes
- Track changes and feedback history
What Sets It Apart: A user-friendly interface that allows reviewers to pin comments directly onto specific content areas, such as images or documents.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $7 /user/mo.
7. Microsoft Project
Unlike manual methods or basic project planning software tools, MS Project offers advanced features such as Gantt charts, resource allocation, and real-time collaboration.
Highlights:
- Powerful, user-friendly app
- Works seamlessly as part of Microsoft 365
- Collaborate for free with online versions
What Sets It Apart: Deel’s always-on compliance mitigates more risk than any other provider, even as your business evolves. With compliant onboarding, misclassification alerts, and constant legal updates, Deel is the safest way to hire anywhere in the world.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $10 /user/mo.
8. Zoho Projects
Part of the Zoho suite, this project planning software tool offers features for project planning, tracking, and collaborating, with integrations across Zoho’s expansive ecosystem.
Highlights:
- Break down projects into manageable tasks and subtasks, assign them, and set deadlines
- Integrated communication tools like chat, forums, and document sharing
- Built-in time tracking tools
What Sets It Apart: Easily adjust task timelines and dependencies with a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, helping you to quickly respond to changes and keep the project on track.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $4 /user/mo.
9. TeamGantt
TeamGantt is the only plan-first work management platform centered around a visual timeline. Gantt project planning software lets you assign tasks to the right people at the right time. Best project planning software tools to get you to the next level.
Highlights:
- In-app RACI assignment
- Portfolio management
- Hourly estimation & time tracking
What Sets It Apart: Known for its easy-to-use Gantt charts, ideal for teams using traditional project planning and management methods like Waterfall and the Critical Path Method.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $49 /manager/mo. Collaborators are free.
10. Monday.com
Monday.com is a highly customizable work operating system and project planning software platform that allows teams to build their workflows, track progress, and manage projects efficiently.
Highlights:
- Set goal priorities and needs
- Assign processes needed to achieve those goals
- Create and assign tasks
What Sets It Apart: Known for its intuitive interface and flexibility as project planning software, building custom workflows across teams.
Pricing: Detailed pricing calculator available
11. Notion
Notion project planning software is a versatile productivity tool that allows users to create custom project planning and management workflows, combining notes, tasks, and databases in one platform.
Highlights:
- Project plan templates
- Map phases, tasks, and deadlines
- Less context switching
What Sets It Apart: Import your projects from other best project planning software solutions.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $8 /user/mo.
12. Wrike
Wrike is among the best project planning software, project management and collaboration tools, offering robust project planning, task management, and real-time collaboration features.
Highlights:
- A single app for all departments
- Project and work management
- Integrate all your favorite tools
What Sets It Apart: Offers visual proofing, multi-tier approvals, workflow automations, and project portfolio management features, with over 400 pre-built native integrations.
Pricing: Paid plans start at $8 /user/mo.
Contact a Project Planning Software Expert
Our Small- to Mid-Market Business Analyst Team at Striven has decades of experience with the best project planning software for businesses across every industry.
Just like every car needs a trusted mechanic, every software needs a dedicated support team.
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