Professional services often rely on specialized knowledge, skills and expertise—in other words, problem-solving and strategic advice, rather than tangible production of goods itself. That’s why it comes as no surprise that they often utilize project management software, as it provides a structured framework to plan, organize, and deliver results.
However, different industries have all sorts of needs that vary from company to company. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to a project management solution. Therefore, consultants must ensure they choose the right software that meets their clients' specific needs.
Hence, this article will delve into the key factors to consider when choosing project management software for professional services businesses.
Below is a list of all the software that will be discussed further in detail:
In general, there are three types of software used for professional services. They are:
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
ERPs refer to software systems that consolidate various business processes—such as finance, supply chain management, and customer relationship management—all in one place. In other words, they provide a centralized platform for managing data and streamlining operations across different departments. They are found in all sorts of industries, including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, nonprofits, etc.
PSA (Professional Services Automation)
PSA software are designed to streamline and automate various aspects of professional services businesses, thereby increasing efficiency and allowing employees to focus on more important tasks. Companies utilize these tools to help them manage projects, resources, time and expenses.
Due to this, they are commonly used in offices working on multiple projects of varying complexities simultaneously. Practical examples include professional services firms, such as consulting, engineering, and IT services.
CWM (Collaborative Work Management)
CWM software facilitates collaboration and project management among teams. While it can be applied to various industries, it's often used in contexts where different groups or departments need to work together closely on projects, such as software development, marketing, or product design.
Below, we’ve listed eight project management software that can help streamline workflows and improve overall efficiency. They are:
1. Wrike—Best For Customizable Workflows
Wrike is a popular cloud-based project management software that offers a high degree of customization. Users can create custom workflows, fields, and dashboards to tailor the platform to their specific needs and preferences. This level of customizability allows teams to organize and manage projects in a way that best suits their unique processes and requirements.
Key Features
- Custom workflows, fields, item types, etc.
- Visualizing tools such as Gantt Charts, Kanban Boards, etc.
- Project templates
- Workflow Automation
- Team collaboration tools such as comments and file sharing
Pricing
Currently, Wrike offers five pricing tiers:
- Free: $0/user/month
- Team: $9.80/user/month
- Business: $24.80/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
- Pinnacle: Custom Pricing
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
2. Asana—Best For Projects With Changing Requirements
Asana is a popular cloud-based project management software known for its flexibility and ease of use. It offers customizable workflows, templates, and integrations. As a result, Asana can be adapted to fit a wide range of project management methodologies and team needs, including Agile workflows with changing requirements. This flexibility also makes it a versatile tool for teams of all sizes and industries.
Key Features
- Resource management
- Custom workflows and automations
- Project templates
- Reporting dashboards and portfolios
- AI that helps with automation and collaboration
Pricing
Currently, Asana offers five pricing tiers:
- Personal: $0/user/month
- Starter: $10.99/user/month
- Advanced: $24.99/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
- Enterprise+: Custom Pricing
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
3. Basecamp—Best For Simple User Interfaces
Basecamp is a project management and communication tool known for its simplicity and ease of use. With a clean interface and minimal features, Basecamp focuses on the essentials of project management, making it a great option for teams that prefer a straightforward approach.
Key Features
- Minimalist user interface that’s easy to navigate and use
- Built-in to-do list that keeps track of progress and sets due dates
- Real-time group chat
- Cloud storage that facilitates collaboration on project files
- A custom Kanban view that keeps things simple
Pricing
Currently, Basecamp offers two pricing tiers:
- Basecamp: $15/user/month
- Basecamp Pro: $299/month (billed annually)
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
4. Microsoft Project—Best For Large Scale Projects
Microsoft Project is a powerful project management software designed to handle large, complex projects with multiple tasks, dependencies, and resources. Its robust features, including Gantt charts, resource allocation, and cost management tools, make it a popular choice for large-scale projects and organizations that require a high level of control and visibility.
Key Features
- Task Management
- Visual data such as dashboards, charts, task dependencies, etc.
- Basic Plan Templates
- Timeline (Gantt) view
- Integration with other Microsoft programs such as Teams
Pricing
Currently, Microsoft allows users to either go for a subscription pricing plan or buy the entire license in a one-time purchase, making the software theirs to keep. The subscription pricing plan is as follows:
- Planner Plan 1: $10/user/month
- Planner and Project Plan 3: $30/user/month
- Planner and Project Plan 5: $55/user/month
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
Meanwhile, the one-time purchasing plan is:
- Project Standard 2021: $679.99
- Project Professional 2021: $1,129.99
- Project Server: Custom Pricing
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
5. Trello—Best For Ease Of Use
Trello is a popular visual project management tool known for it’s ease in setting up and executing projects. It employs a Kanban-style interface with cards, lists, and boards, allowing users to easily organize and track tasks. As such, it’s a great option for all users, particularly those who prefer a visual approach to project management.
Key Features
- Kanban boards
- In-built automation system
- Integrations with popular software
- Project templates
- Mobile app
Pricing
Currently, Trello has four pricing plans:
- Free: $0/user/month
- Standard: $5/user/month
- Premium: $10/user/month
- Enterprise: $17.50/user/month
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
6. Kantata—Best For Resource Management
Kantata is another leading PSA software platform that helps businesses manage projects, resources, time, expenses, and client relationships. With a focus on scalability and resource management, Kantata is a popular choice for organizations of all sizes, from small consulting firms to large enterprises.
Key Features
- Resource management
- Time-tracking
- Financial management
- Team collaboration
- Business intelligence
Pricing
Kantata software offers customizable pricing plans.
7. ClickUp—Best For Teams Of All Sizes
ClickUp is a versatile project management platform that offers a wide range of features, including task management, time tracking, resource allocation, and communication tools. Its customizable workflows and integrations with other applications make it suitable for teams of all sizes and industries, from small startups to large enterprises.
Key Features
- Customizable task management
- Gantt charts
- Collaboration tools such as whiteboards, comments, email and a real-time chat
- Customizable dashboards
- Automations for repetitive tasks and workflows
Pricing
Currently, ClickUp offers the following pricing plans:
- Free Forever: Free
- Unlimited: $10/user/month
- Business: $19/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
8. Jira—Best For Task Tracking
Jira is a powerful project management and issue tracking tool widely used in software development and IT teams. Its features include tracking tasks, customizable workflows, Kanban boards, report generation and so much more. In addition, Jira's customizable workflows, reporting capabilities, and integrations with other tools make it an excellent choice for teams that need a reliable and efficient issue tracking solution.
Key Features
- Issue tracking
- Offers Scrum and Kanban boards
- Customizable workflows
- Integrations with popular software
- Scalability
Pricing
Currently, Jira offers the following pricing plans:
- Free: $0 for 10 users
- Standard: $7.16/user/month
- Pro plan: $12.48/user/month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change.
While project management software comes with all sorts of bells and whistles, all of them share some common features that are important for any project management software. They are:
These features make project management software an asset to professionals in any industry.
Ultimately, the ‘best’ project management software depends on your specific needs and priorities. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and what works well for one team may not be ideal for another. Even multipurpose tools that are designed to handle teams of all sizes such as Jira and ClickUp are not one-stop shop solutions as they have their own advantages and drawbacks. Therefore, users must consider factors such as project size, team size, budget, and desired features when evaluating different options.