Project Tracking Software

Project tracking is a complex process that demands careful oversight and coordination to ensure project success. From managing timelines to tracking budgets and resources, project managers have their work cut out for them. One of the biggest challenges they face is keeping teams on track to meet deadlines while keeping internal and external stakeholders up to date on project progress. 

This is where project tracking software come into play, offering a real-time, holistic view of a project's progress, metrics, and budget. It helps managers make informed decisions, identify potential roadblocks, and keep stakeholders informed throughout the project's lifecycle. 

That said, we understand that choosing the right project tracking system can be overwhelming. This buyer's guide will help you cut through the noise and find the right solution for your project management needs. We will explore the most important factors to consider when selecting project tracking tool and provide you with a list of top 5 solutions to help you find the perfect fit for your organization.

What Is Project Tracking Software? 

Project tracking software is a specialized tool designed to help organizations monitor and manage their projects' progress in real-time. It provides a centralized platform for project managers to oversee all aspects of a project, including timelines, budgets, and resources. The software usually offers customizable dashboards and reports that provide clear and comprehensive insights into project status, task completion, and team performance.  

Additionally, project tracking tools enable collaboration among team members and facilitate communication, allowing all stakeholders to stay informed and updated throughout the project's lifecycle. 

Unlike time- or task-tracking apps, they provide a high-level overview of a project's progress, covering everything from work completed to hours logged and budget expenditures. This helps project managers monitor team performance, identify potential issues early on, and make data-driven decisions to improve project outcomes. 

Is Project Tracking Software Different From Generic Project Management Tools? 

Project tracking solutions and traditional project management apps serve different purposes in project management. While both tools aim to improve project efficiency and effectiveness, they differ in their focus and scope.  

Standalone project tracking systems primarily focus on monitoring and tracking the progress of project tasks, deadlines, and milestones. They allows project managers to get a clear view of the project's status, identify potential issues, and adjust resources and timelines accordingly.  

In contrast, a generic project management app offers a broader range of features that cover all aspects of project management, including planning, scheduling, resource allocation, budgeting, and reporting.  

In our Features section below, we will look into the specific features of the best project tracking software and how they can help organizations manage their projects and operations more efficiently. 

Why Do Project Managers Need Dedicated Project Tracking Software?

As organizations grow and become more complex, project tracking can quickly become overwhelming without the right tools in place. Project tracking software can help managers stay on top of project progress in order to deliver them on time and within the allocated budget. 

Read on to explore the benefits of using project tracking tools and discover the key reasons why organizations should consider investing in this technology.

1. Improved Project Visibility 

Project tracking software enhance project visibility by enabling managers to track and compare actual project metrics, such as time, expenses, and resources, with desired estimates. This helps them evaluate the overall status of the project and make informed decisions to keep the project on track, prevent delays and budget overruns, and ensure project success. 

2. Enhanced Project Planning 

These technology-driven tools enable users to quickly identify the factors and task dependencies that might affect the execution of a project. Managers can easily create detailed project plans by setting a hierarchy of tasks within a project, creating project deliverables, and defining project timelines.    

3. Better Team Collaboration 

Project tracking tools serve as a centralized platform for project information and communication, facilitating collaboration between team members. They provide a hassle-free way for team members to assign tasks, share files, and communicate progress updates. 

4. Increased Accountability 

Project managers can rely on these apps to clearly outline each team member's roles and responsibilities, ensuring that they are accountable for their tasks. With progress tracked and visible to all involved, team members are motivated to take ownership of their work and complete tasks within the set timelines. 

5. Streamlined Project Documentation 

These programs are designed to save and capture project documentation in a centralized location, making it easy to access and reference important files such as contracts, invoices, and reports. This is useful for audits and compliance requirements and facilitates future reference for project managers to learn from past experiences. 

6. Efficient Resource Management 

With so many resources to manage, project managers can struggle to ensure that staff, time, and budget are used efficiently. Project tracking software help managers identify underused or overused resources and make the necessary adjustments to ensure optimal allocation.  

7. Improved Stakeholder Communications 

Project tracking tools allow users to keep stakeholders informed on project progress, milestones, and deadlines. By providing real-time updates, managers can improve stakeholder communication, increase transparency, and build trust with them.  

Common Features Needed In Project Tracking Tools 

The success of your projects largely depends on the features offered by project tracking tools. By understanding the key features necessary for efficient project tracking, you can identify a tool that is tailored to your organization's specific needs.  

In this section, we will outline the essential features to look for when choosing a project tracking solution, empowering you to make an informed decision and optimize your project management processes. 

How To Decide Which Project Tracking Tool Is Best For You? 

We have made this process easier for you with our simple five-point criteria listed below. 

What you need to do: 

• Put a tick against each of these basic project management software design benchmarks
• Shortlist your top five contenders; test them individually or collectively

We have compiled a list of the top-five project tracking tools a few sections down that can serve as a good starting point for your analysis. 

See the checklist below and remember that the software with the most checks wins (our recommendation for you to go ahead with to the next stage; with the steps listed below the following list).  

Project Management Software Evaluation List    

• Does the software work with your business size/user headcount?  
• What is its required level of tech expertise (only built for technical professionals)?  
• Is it easy to integrate/connect with other tools?  
• Does it fit your budget (expensive or cost-effective)?  
• Is it accessible (easy or difficult for non-technical users to get started with)?  

Next, you need to narrow your choice to one project tracking app. Visit its product profile page using the search bar above and schedule a demo or get accurate pricing information for your organization, so you can get subscribed quickly. 

Project Tracking Software Pricing 

Project tracking software pricing is determined by a range of factors such as features, functionality, and level of customization.  

Basic/entry-level plans can start as low as $5 per user per month, offering basic project management capabilities, while more advanced plans can go up to $50 per user per month or more, providing comprehensive project tracking features and customized solutions.  

It is crucial to assess your requirements and budget when choosing a project tracking software, considering not only the upfront costs but also any ongoing fees or charges. 

For more pricing information, download our comprehensive project management pricing guide. 

Best Project Tracking Software  

Effective project tracking is essential for businesses of all sizes, and choosing the best software to accomplish this can be overwhelming. To help you with this, we have sifted through the top contenders and compiled a list of the top 5 project tracking software available. 

Whether you are an experienced project manager or a newcomer to the field, you can find the perfect fit for your project management needs. So, let's dive in and explore the best options available.

1. Trello

Trello is a powerful project management tool that provides a visual and intuitive way to track projects and collaborate with team members. Its visual boards, lists, and cards provide a clear overview of tasks and their progress, making it easy to track deadlines and assign responsibilities. 

The software's user-friendly interface facilitates effective communication among team members and promotes accountability. Overall, it helps project managers keep projects on track and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal. 

Pricing 

• Free: $0/user/month 
• Standard: $6/user/month 
• Premium: $12.5/user/month 
• Enterprise: $17.50/user/month  

Key Features 

• Visual Project Management: Easily track and manage your projects with Trello's intuitive visual interface to quickly see the status of tasks and identify potential roadblocks 
• Project Views: Stay on top of your projects from various perspectives with different views, including Board, Timeline, Table, Calendar, Map, Dashboard, and Workspace Views 
• Task Assignments and Due Dates: Assign tasks to team members and set due dates to ensure everyone is on the same page and tasks are completed on time 
• Integrations: Integrate Trello with your favorite project management tools and apps, such as Slack, Google Drive, and JIRA, to streamline your workflow and increase productivity 

Pros And Cons 

Dashboard View

2. Jira

Jira is a top-rated project tracking tool that provides teams with a centralized platform for planning, monitoring, and managing projects. Designed for agile teams, it enables users to create custom workflows, set a hierarchy of tasks within a project, and track progress in real-time, ensuring that projects stay on track and are completed on schedule.  

Additionally, Jira's customizable dashboards, reporting, and issue tracking features enable project managers to gain valuable insights into day-to-day processes and mitigate risks before they become major issues.

Pricing 

• Cloud Free: $0/user/month 
• Cloud Standard: $7.43/user/month 
• Cloud Premium: $12.48/user/month 
• Cloud Enterprise: Contact us at (661) 384-7070 to confirm pricing
• Data Center: $44,000/year for a minimum of 500 users

Key Features 

• Reports and Insights: Generate custom reports, track progress, measure performance, analyze data, and get real-time insights into your projects 
• Scrum Boards: Set sprint goals, manage tasks, and collaborate with your team in real-time to ensure timely completion of project tasks 
• Roadmaps: Create a visual roadmap to define project goals, set timelines, prioritize tasks, and track progress against milestones 
• Kanban Boards: Visualize project workflows, track tasks, optimize processes, and ensure smooth project tracking and management 

Pros And Cons 

Dashboard View

3. Asana

Asana is one of the best project management software that offers a range of features to help teams monitor their projects effectively. It enables users to create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress, giving teams a comprehensive view of project status. Its robust reporting options and intuitive interface make it a popular choice for project managers and team leaders who need to keep a close eye on their projects.   

Whether you're working on small or large-scale projects, Asana's project tracking capabilities allow for seamless collaboration and efficient project monitoring. 

Pricing

• Basic: $0/user/month 
• Premium: $10.99/user/month 
• Business: $24.99/user/month 

Key Features

• Reporting: Easily track progress and identify any potential bottlenecks in your project timeline with real-time insights 
• Workload: Ensure that team members are working at optimal capacity and that projects are appropriately staffed to achieve timely completion 
• Boards: Visualize your project's progress with Kanban boards, making it easier to track work and prioritize tasks as needed 
• Timeline: Utilize a timeline to plan your projects and remain on schedule, ensuring that you meet deadlines and deliverables are completed on time 

Pros And Cons 

Dashboard View

4. Wrike

Wrike is a comprehensive project tracking app that enables teams to effectively manage tasks and deadlines from start to finish. With its intuitive interface and robust features, the software simplifies project management by allowing users to create and assign tasks, set due dates, and track progress in real-time. 

Moreover, Wrike’s advanced reporting capabilities provide insightful data on project status, making it easy to identify potential roadblocks and adjust timelines as needed.   

Pricing 

• Free: $0/user/month  
• Team: $9.80/user/month 
• Business: $24.80/user/month 
• Enterprise: Custom Pricing
• Pinnacle: Custom Pricing 

Key Features 

• Gantt Charts: Create and track interactive project schedules across teams to manage dependencies, task durations, and timelines effectively 
• Dashboards: Visualize processes, tasks, and analytics on customizable dashboards, as well as gain a real-time overview of project progress 
• Project Resource Planning: Allocate and manage resources to ensure efficient utilization of project staff 
• Kanban Boards: Track progress, prioritize tasks, and improve workflow on visual boards, enabling seamless collaboration and project tracking across the team 

Pros And Cons

Dashboard View

5. monday.com

monday.com is a robust project tracking tool that helps teams stay organized and focused throughout the project lifecycle. It offers a centralized platform where team members can stay on top of project progress, communicate with stakeholders, and monitor performance metrics in real-time. 

This all-in-one project management software provides customizable dashboards and Gantt charts that allow users to visualize project timelines and identify potential bottlenecks or delays. With monday.com's powerful collaboration features, teams can easily communicate with each other, share files, and provide feedback on project deliverables. 

Pricing 

• Free: $0/seat/month
• Basic: $12/seat/month
• Standard: $14/seat/month
• Pro: $24/seat/month
• Enterprise: Custom

Key Features 

• Reporting Dashboards: Keep track of project progress with visual graphs, charts and customizable reports to identify areas of improvement and success 
• Workload Management: Balance resources and ensure timely completion of tasks by tracking individual workloads, and assigning tasks efficiently 
• Overview Widget: Get a comprehensive view of project status with an analytical widget that assesses remaining tasks and overall timeline 
• Performance Insights View: Analyze productivity with detailed tracking of item status and time spent in each phase, allowing for better decision-making and planning 

Pros And Cons

Dashboard View

In Conclusion 

Selecting the right project management software is essential for any organization that wants to stay competitive and efficient in today's fast-paced business world. With so many options available, it is important to identify your unique needs and goals before making a decision. 

When choosing a project tracking system, look for a tool that provides comprehensive project management features such reporting and dashboards, project timelines, and progress tracking. Additionally, make sure that the software is customizable and integrates well with your existing tools and workflows.  

To learn more about project tracking applications, schedule a free consultation with one of our experts at (661) 384-7070 and get personalized recommendations based on your unique needs.