Best project management software for startups
March 9, 2020 • 4 min read
Have you ever wondered why some startups achieve effective teamwork to make history, while others remain dysfunctional? The best teams accomplish great feats with the help of effective communication built into the core of team collaboration. Piece of cake, right? Not quite.
Project management is the art of consolidating all pieces into a precise plan. It is the crux of every aspect of a successful business. More precisely, communication is tied to the culture of an organization. As such, startups use the project management software to get the relationship, interaction, and execution of their teams on the right track. Besides, these tools allow them to retain top talent; their success depends on it.
Time tracking for better teamwork
Many factors can derail any progress made by a team. From individual employee’s misunderstandings to overall confusion about approved strategies, deadlines, and goals, the list goes on. A time tracking tool will help you evaluate your productivity and identify the bottlenecks in your workflow. Besides, if you work with your clients on the hourly rates basis, then you need a way to prove that you spent all the charged hours on their project.
Simply put, using a time tracking app will allow your company to save every minute, dollar, and an ounce of energy possible. But the thing is, there are many time tracking apps available. One of the most popular options is Toggl, which is used by freelancers and remote teams. However, Trello is an excellent Toggl alternative, along with Hubstaff and DeskTime, which offer added features and benefits.
All in all, time tracking brings benefits to all crucial aspects of your business. Not only does it help you get paid for your time fairly, but it also gives you somewhat of an X-ray vision of your project. It lets you know if your team is working at an optimal pace and whether you are on the right track to make it to the deadlines.
The best project management software for startups
Your team’s success can exceed your wildest dreams if you give them appropriate support and nurture. These project management tools allow you to create a well-performing and contributing team. Let’s get started.
1. Trello
When it comes to keeping tabs on a project, Trello comes as one of the most popular task management platforms among startups. The user interface design on Trello provides you with an easy way to manage tasks for your team. You can design a board for your workflow and any other process efficiently. Trello also allows you to make use of certain functionalities such as file attachments, assigning collaborators, and more.
This set of functions is particularly useful for design and development agencies. Teams can drag and drop tasks to create a custom workflow leading up to the accomplishment of the end goal. Besides, Trello allows you to use other programs you are already familiar with (e.g Google Docs or its popular alternatives).
2. Asana
Managing a project across both large and small teams is not easy. However, Asana makes it doable. Asana is a top-notch project management tool that helps teams manage all kinds of tasks. This software is an excellent fit for companies that already have their workflow down and are looking for a tool to help them manage it. Asana is rich in terms of integration but is still easy to use.
The intuitive design and list of features make Asana an excellent collaboration tool for teams of all sizes. Since to-do lists are an integral part of project collaboration, Asana is built around a list view design that makes it easy to create and share them with teams. You can also switch from a list view to a calendar or board interface.
3. Slack
Managing a team can be complex and sometimes inefficient. That’s where Slack steps in to help out. Slack integrates with a handy number of bots and apps like Google Docs, GitHub, Trello, and more, which means you can easily turn this tool into a hub for your team. You can chat and talk in a real-time mode. Besides, you get access to all files and conversations, which you can filter through with a search feature.
Some may argue that Slack is not a project management platform per se, but with appropriate utilization, it can become a powerful tool for managing teams. In any case, you can create threads and chat channels. Some of the big names that use Slack include Harvard University, Pinterest, Airbnb, Samsung, and many other corporate giants.
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Download a guide4. Jira
When managing a project across multiple teams, you need a flexible tool with a focus on collaboration. Jira comes as a great solution. Jira is a flexible project management tool that features Kanban, Agile, and Scrum planning boards. You can easily plan, track, and manage all projects using a single tool.
Jira is an incredible collaboration suite because it allows teams to produce high-quality results. The team leader can make use of the reporting features to get a comprehensive outlook of each project. Jira is the most commonly used project management tool for software development teams. It is also essential to transform your remote workforce into a cohesive team.
5. G Suite
G Suite is one of the most widely used productivity suites in the world. Though G Suite is not a project management tool, it can significantly smooth over running of an organization. The signup process couldn’t get any simpler, and the admin console looks sparse and minimal.
With Google Hangouts, you can engage your team in video conferencing. Also, if your organization standardizes on Google calendar, then you can use this information to manage conference room resources on Google Hangouts. Besides, you can use Google Docs for content-based projects too.
Conclusion
Why are some startups successful at completing projects on time, on budget, and with utmost customer satisfaction while others have a hard time? Because the first use the most effective project management tools. This means, using collaboration tools on a regular basis to manage tasks increases the team’s productivity rates and efficiency, which consequently leads to company’s growth and further development.
The project schedule should not be left to chance. That’s why Uber uses Asana, Kickstarter uses Trello, everyone uses G Suite at some level in their daily activities. There is a project management tool on this list that is the right to keep your business activities organized. Which one is best for you, and why? Let us know in the comments below.
Lori Wade is a journalist from Louisville. She is a content writer who has experience in small editions. Lori is now engaged in news and conceptual articles on the topic of business. To keep up with everything, Lori uses a toggl alternative. If you are interested in time management, entrepreneurship or lifestyle, you can find her on & LinkedIn.