Top 10 Software Project Management Tools to Streamline Your Workflow in 2021

As businesses continue to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of the digital world, managing software projects has become more complicated than ever. With so many moving parts, it’s essential to have the right tools to streamline your workflow and maximize productivity. That’s where software project management tools come in. These tools offer a range of features to help you organize your team, track progress, and communicate effectively. In this article, we’ll be exploring the top 10 software project management tools that you should consider using in 2021. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, these tools can help you achieve your goals and stay ahead of the competition. So, let’s dive in and discover which tools are right for your business.

Why Use Project Management Tools?

Project management tools are designed to help you keep track of all the moving parts of a project, from start to finish. They provide a centralized location for you to manage tasks, deadlines, and team collaboration. Using project management tools can help you:

Stay organized: With a project management tool, you can keep all of your project information in one place, making it easier to reference and keep track of.
Track progress: Project management tools allow you to easily track the progress of tasks and projects, so you can see what’s been completed, what’s in progress, and what still needs to be done.
Improve communication: With a project management tool, you can collaborate with your team in real-time, sharing files, feedback, and updates.
Increase productivity: By streamlining your workflow and keeping everything organized, project management tools can help you work more efficiently and get more done.

Criteria for Selecting Project Management Tools

With so many project management tools available, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your team. Here are some criteria to consider when selecting a project management tool:

Ease of use: A project management tool should be intuitive and easy to use, so your team can quickly get up and running.
Customizability: Look for a tool that can be customized to fit your team’s specific needs and workflow.
Collaboration features: Make sure the tool allows for easy collaboration and communication between team members.
Reporting and analytics: Look for a tool that offers reporting and analytics features, so you can track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Mobile access: Consider whether the tool offers mobile access, so your team can stay connected and productive on-the-go.
Pricing: Evaluate the cost of the tool and whether it fits within your budget.

Top 10 Software Project Management Tools for 2021

Here are the top 10 software project management tools for 2021:

Trello: Customizable boards and cards, task assignments, due dates and checklists, file attachments, collaboration and communication tools, mobile app. Free plan available, paid plans starting at $9.99/month.
Asana: Customizable boards and lists, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaborative workspaces, file attachments and comments, mobile app. Free plan available, paid plans starting at $10.99/month.
Jira: Customizable workflows, agile boards and sprints, task assignments and due dates, roadmaps and releases, collaboration and communication tools, mobile app. Free plan available, paid plans starting at $7/month.
Monday.com: Customizable boards and columns, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaboration and communication tools, file attachments and comments, mobile app. Free trial available, paid plans starting at $8/month.
Basecamp: Project templates, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaboration and communication tools, file storage and sharing, mobile app. Free trial available, paid plans starting at $99/month.
ClickUp: Customizable views and statuses, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaboration and communication tools, file attachments and comments, mobile app. Free plan available, paid plans starting at $5/user/month.
Smartsheet: Customizable sheets and templates, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaboration and communication tools, file attachments and comments, mobile app. Free trial available, paid plans starting at $14/user/month.
Wrike: Customizable workflows and dashboards, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaboration and communication tools, file attachments and comments, mobile app. Free plan available, paid plans starting at $9.80/user/month.
Teamwork: Customizable workflows and tasks, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaboration and communication tools, file storage and sharing, mobile app. Free trial available, paid plans starting at $10/user/month.
Airtable: Customizable views and templates, task assignments and due dates, progress tracking, collaboration and communication tools, file attachments and comments, mobile app. Free plan available, paid plans starting at $10/user/month.

How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Team

When choosing a project management tool for your team, consider these factors:

Consider your team’s specific needs and workflow: Look for a tool that can be customized to fit your team’s unique needs and workflow.
Evaluate the features and pricing of each tool: Use the comparison chart above to evaluate the features and pricing of each tool, to see which one fits within your budget and offers the features you need.
Try before you buy: Many project management tools offer free trials, so be sure to take advantage of them to see if the tool is a good fit for your team.

Implementing Project Management Tools in Your Workflow

Once you’ve selected a project management tool, follow these tips for implementation:

Set up your account: Create an account and set up your team and projects in the tool.
Train your team: Make sure your team is trained on how to use the tool, so everyone is on the same page.
Start small: Don’t try to use every feature right away. Start with the basics and gradually add more features as your team becomes comfortable with the tool.
Use it consistently: Make sure everyone on your team is consistently using the tool to manage tasks and projects.

Best Practices for Using Project Management Tools

Here are some best practices for using project management tools to maximize productivity and efficiency:

Use the tool to manage all tasks and projects, so everything is in one place.
Set deadlines and due dates for tasks, so everyone knows what needs to be done and when.
Encourage collaboration and communication through the tool, so everyone is on the same page.
Use the reporting and analytics features to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
Regularly review and update your workflows and processes to make sure they’re effective.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Project Management Tools

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using project management tools:

Not using the tool consistently: Make sure everyone on your team is using the tool consistently, so everyone is on the same page.
Overcomplicating your workflows: Don’t try to use every feature right away. Start with the basics and gradually add more features as your team becomes comfortable with the tool.
Not training your team: Make sure your team is trained on how to use the tool, so everyone is on the same page.
Not regularly reviewing and updating your workflows and processes: Make sure your workflows and processes are effective and efficient.

Conclusion

Managing software projects can be complicated, but with the right project management tool, it doesn’t have to be. The top 10 software project management tools we’ve explored in this article offer a range of features to help you organize your team, track progress, and communicate effectively. When choosing a project management tool, consider your team’s specific needs and workflow, evaluate the features and pricing of each tool, and try before you buy. With the right tool and best practices in place, you can streamline your workflow and maximize productivity in 2021.