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Engineering project management software is a game-changer in managing complex engineering projects. It streamlines tasks, enhances collaboration and improves tracking, leading to increased efficiency and engineering project success. In 2024, these eight software solutions stand out: Zoho Projects, Asana, Celoxis, Teamwork, LiquidPlanner, Jira Software, Wrike and Hive.
Top engineering project management software: Comparison table
All these tools offer core project management features such as task management, time tracking, collaboration tools, resource management and reporting. But here’s how they compare across focused features that engineering teams value.
| Software | Gantt Charts | Risk Management | Agile Boards | Customizable Fields | Dynamic Scheduling | Free Plan | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asana | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $10.99/user/month |
| Jira Software | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $8.15/user/month |
| LiquidPlanner | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | $15/user/month |
| Wrike | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | $9.80/user/month |
| Zoho Projects | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | $4/user/month |
| Teamwork | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | $5.99/user/month |
| Celoxis | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | $22.5/user/month |
| Hive | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | $12/user/month |
Asana: Best overall
Asana is our pick for the best overall engineering project management software considering a balance of robust features, flexibility, user-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. It’s a versatile tool that can handle various project types, making it suitable for engineering teams of all sizes. Asana’s strength lies in its simplicity and ease of use.
Pricing
Asana offers a free Basic plan in addition to paid plans, including the Premium plan at $10.99 per user per month, billed annually and the Business plan at $24.99 per user per month. Its Enterprise plan’s pricing information is available on request.
Standout features
- Project timeline for planning and structuring project schedules.
- Portfolios for monitoring the progress of multiple projects at once.
- Automation to create rule-based triggers, reduce manual tasks and increase efficiency.
- Customizable workflows (Figure A) to offer engineering teams the flexibility needed for their projects.
Pros
- User-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
- Robust set of features for managing complex projects.
- Excellent collaboration tools for team communication.
- Good for teams of all sizes.
Cons
- The free version is quite limited, and the premium version can be expensive for small teams.
- Can be overwhelming for new users due to the number of features
Top integrations
Asana’s top five integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zoom.
Why we picked Asana
We picked Asana because it masterfully combines intuitiveness with an extensive set of features, which is a balance that lots of project management tools struggle to strike. This gives it a certain versatility that makes it suitable for engineering teams of all sizes.
For more information, read our full Asana review.
Jira Software: Best for agile engineering teams
Jira Software by Atlassian is a powerful project management tool designed specifically for agile teams. It’s particularly popular among software engineering teams due to its robust features for issue tracking, agile reporting and software development lifecycle management. Jira Software’s agile-centric features such as Scrum boards, Kanban boards and agile reporting make it the best choice for engineering teams following agile methodologies.
Pricing
Jira Software’s free plan covers up to 10 users. But for larger teams subscribing monthly, the Standard plan costs $8.15 per user per month and the Premium plan is $16 per user per month. Jira Software’s Enterprise plan is billed annually, and you must request a quote to get pricing information.
Standout features
- Agile boards feature both Scrum and Kanban (Figure B) to provide a visual overview of project progress in real-time.
- Customizable Kanban and Scrum workflows allow teams to map out every step of a project.
- Advanced reporting tools provide insights for data-driven decision making.
- Integration with developer tools such as Bitbucket and Confluence enhances software project management.
Pros
- Robust features cater specifically to the needs of agile teams.
- Highly customizable to suit different project needs and workflows.
- Integration with a wide range of developer tools enhances functionality.
- Extensive add-ons available in the Atlassian marketplace.
Cons
- User interface can be complex for beginners.
- Configuration and customization can be time-consuming.
Top integrations
Jira Software integrates seamlessly with tools like GitHub, Jenkins, Slack, Opsgenie, and Confluence.
Why we picked Jira Software
We chose Jira Software for its unparalleled support for agile methodologies. This makes it a great choice for any team that follows agile models, which engineering teams can appreciate.
For more information, read the full Jira Software review.
LiquidPlanner: Best for dynamic project management
LiquidPlanner is a dynamic project management tool designed for fast-paced engineering teams. It offers a range of features designed to adapt to changes and uncertainties in projects, making it a great choice for teams working in dynamic environments. LiquidPlanner’s standout feature is its predictive scheduling engine, which automatically adjusts project schedules based on priority and resource availability.
Pricing
Its three pricing plans are Essentials at $15 per user per month, Professional at $25 per user per month and Ultimate at $35 per user per month, all billed annually. Contact LiquidPlanner for volume pricing for the Ultimate plan.
Standout features
- Predictive scheduling (Figure C) dynamically adjusts project timelines based on changes.
- Automatic resource leveling features eliminate overload and optimize resource allocation and utilization.
- Time tracking feature allows for accurate project scheduling and resource allocation.
- Integrated risk alert system to notify users immediately when there’s a schedule risk, ensuring proactive management.
Pros
- Dynamic project management features adapt to project changes.
- Comprehensive feature set for end-to-end project management.
- Integration with popular tools like Dropbox, Zapier and Google Drive enhances functionality.
- Offers a free trial to test its features.
Cons
- User interface can be complex for beginners.
- Has no free plan plus premium pricing can be expensive for smaller teams.
Top integrations
LiquidPlanner integrates with popular tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, Slack and Trello.
Why we picked LiquidPlanner
LiquidPlanner has unique predictive scheduling and risk management features that ensure its status as a dynamic project management tool. Its ability to provide accurate project timelines and manage risks proactively makes it hard to ignore for teams working in fast-paced and uncertain environments.
For more information, read our full LiquidPlanner review.
Wrike: Best for customizability
Wrike is a flexible project management tool that stands out for its customizability. It offers a range of features to meet the needs of engineering teams, making it a great choice for teams with unique project management requirements. Wrike also offers rich features for task management, project tracking and collaboration.
Pricing
Wrike has five plans: the Free plan, Team plan at $9.80 per user per month, Business plan at $24.80 per user per month and Enterprise and Pinnacle plans whose pricing information isn’t publicly listed.
Standout features
- Customizable dashboards and workflows cater to specific project needs.
- Advanced collaboration features such as team chat and file sharing enhance team communication.
- Interactive Gantt charts (Figure D) enable teams to visualize project timelines and dependencies.
- Quality assurance capabilities to ensure engineering teams deliver high-quality projects.
Pros
- Highly customizable to suit different project needs and workflows.
- Comprehensive feature set for end-to-end project management.
- User-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to get started.
- Offers a free plan with basic project management features.
Cons
- Advanced features and customizations can be complex to set up.
- Pricing can get expensive for larger teams.
Top integrations
Wrike integrates with a wide array of tools including Salesforce, Slack, Google Drive, Jira, and Microsoft Teams.
Why we picked Wrike
We chose Wrike for its engineering-focused features like quality assurance monitoring and project cost management. It also plays a pivotal part in fine-tuning team communication and collaboration on complex engineering projects, which is great for ensuring teams deliver projects on time and within budget.
For more information, explore our full Wrike review.
Zoho Projects: Best for scalability
Zoho Projects is a comprehensive project management solution that’s ideal for growing engineering teams. It offers a range of features designed to streamline project planning, tracking and collaboration. Zoho Projects stands out for its scalability, making it a great choice for teams that anticipate growth or have fluctuating project demands. It also offers impressive customization options, allowing teams to tailor the platform to their specific needs.
Pricing
Zoho Projects offers two paid plans besides a free plan. Billed annually, the Premium and Enterprise plans cost $4 and $9 per user per month, respectively and $5 and $10 per user per month, when billed monthly.
Standout features
- Detailed Gantt charts provide a visual timeline for project tasks.
- Issue tracking module helps identify and manage project problems effectively.
- Time tracking (Figure E) feature allows for accurate project scheduling and resource allocation.
- Document management system keeps all project files organized and accessible
Pros
- Scalable solution that can accommodate growing teams and projects.
- Offers a wide range of features for comprehensive project management.
- Integration with other Zoho apps and external tools enhances functionality.
- Provides good value for money with its affordable pricing plans.
Cons
- The user interface could be more intuitive and modern.
- The mobile app could be improved for better usability.
Top integrations
Zoho Projects integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps and a wide range of third-party applications like Google Sheets, Zapier and Airtable.
Why we picked Zoho Projects
We selected Zoho Projects not only for its extensive planning, tracking, and collaboration features but also for its suitability for users already using other Zoho products. It’s also able to customize and automate tasks and has reliable Gantt charts and timesheet capabilities, which make it a great tool for a wide scope of project management needs.
For more information, read our full Zoho Projects review.
Teamwork: Best for collaboration
Teamwork is a project management tool that puts collaboration at its core. It offers a range of features designed to enhance team communication and collaboration, making it a great choice for engineering teams that work closely together. Teamwork also offers robust task management features, allowing teams to easily create, assign and track tasks.
Pricing
Teamwork offers a free plan. The per user per month costs of the Starter, Deliver and Grow plans are $5.99, $9.99 and $19.99, respectively, when billed annually. They cost $8.99, $13.99 and 25.99, respectively, when billed monthly. However, the Scale plan requires you to contact Teamwork for a quote.
Standout features
- Advanced collaboration features like team chat and file sharing enhance team communication.
- Workload planning and resource scheduling features help teams to complete projects and avoid burnout.
- Task management features for keeping track of project tasks and deadlines.
- Native time tracking features (Figure F) to monitor team productivity.
Pros
- Excellent collaboration features improve team communication.
- User-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to get started.
- Customizable to suit different project needs and workflows.
- Offers a free plan with basic project management features.
Cons
- Advanced features are only available in the higher-priced plans.
- Some users report occasional lags and glitches in the software.
Top integrations
Teamwork integrates with many platforms that are common to engineering teams, including Google Drive, Zapier, Dropbox, Slack and QuickBooks.
Why we picked Teamwork
From its name, Teamwork makes collaboration impressively intuitive, regardless of the type of team. It has an appealing and intuitive interface but it’s also a highly scalable tool that’s great for managing complex projects. Its reporting is also comprehensive, which makes it an appealing yet powerful tool.
For more information, check out our full Teamwork review.
Celoxis: Best for resource management
Celoxis is an all-in-one project management software that excels in resource management. It delivers extensive features for planning, scheduling and tracking resources, making it attractive to engineering teams that need to manage complex resource needs. Celoxis also offers project planning features like Gantt charts, project scheduling and time tracking.
Pricing
Celoxis has two pricing plans: Cloud costs $22.50 per user per month billed annually and $25 when billed monthly, and On Premise requires you to contact the company for a quote.
Standout features
- Advanced resource management features help optimize resource allocation.
- Interactive Gantt charts provide a visual timeline for project tasks.
- Comprehensive project tracking (Figure G) allows for easy monitoring of project progress.
- Secure on-premise installation option.
Pros
- Excellent resource management capabilities.
- Comprehensive feature set for end-to-end project management.
- Offers both cloud-based and on-premise deployment options.
- Good value for money with affordable pricing plans.
Cons
- The user interface could be more intuitive.
- The learning curve can be steep for new users.
Top integrations
Some of Celoxis’ top integrations include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, Google Drive, QuickBooks and Jira.
Why we picked Celoxis
Celoxis’ document management and powerful reporting engine are two of its most impressive capabilities, which greatly improve project visibility and resource management. Additionally, in an era of mostly online tools, it’s refreshing to see a tool with an on-premise installation option, which is great for data localization.
For more information, read the full Celoxis review.
Hive: Best for AI-assisted project management
Hive is a project management tool that stands out for its AI-assisted capabilities. Hive is designed for fast-moving teams and offers a unique feature called HiveMind, an AI assist that helps with content creation, email subject lines, language translation and more. Hive’s comprehensive feature set, including project and task management, collaboration tools, and over 1,000 integrations, makes it a versatile choice for engineering teams.
Pricing
Besides a free plan, Hive offers two paid plans: Teams costs $12 per user per month billed annually and $18 when billed monthly and Enterprise information isn’t listed.
Standout features
- HiveMind AI enhances productivity with automated project planning and content creation.
- Advanced collaboration features such as team chat and file sharing enhance team communication.
- Comprehensive project tracking allows for easy monitoring of project progress (Figure H).
- Integration with over 1,000 tools brings information into one centralized dashboard.
Pros
- Unique AI-assisted features enhance productivity and efficiency.
- Comprehensive feature set for end-to-end project management.
- User-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to get started.
- Offers a free trial to test its features.
Cons
- Advanced features and customizations can be complex to set up.
- The learning curve can be steep due to its unique approach to project management.
For more information, read the full Hive review.
Why we picked Hive
While Hive is a complex tool with a fairly steep learning curve, that’s to be expected for a solution with such a rich feature set. With a bit of time and patience in the onboarding and setup stages, Hive rewards users with the ability to tackle projects of all sizes and levels of complexity.
Key features of engineering project management software
When choosing engineering project management software you should consider features that can greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your project management processes. These features include Gantt charts, risk management, agile boards, customizable fields and dynamic scheduling.
Gantt charts
Gantt charts provide a visual timeline for your project, displaying tasks, durations and dependencies. This feature is crucial for planning and scheduling, allowing you to see the entire scope of the project at a glance. It helps in identifying critical paths, managing resources, and tracking progress. If your project involves complex tasks with multiple dependencies, a Gantt chart feature is a must-have.
Risk management
Risk management features help in identifying, assessing and mitigating potential risks in your project. This could include anything from budget overruns to schedule slippages or resource shortages. By proactively managing risks, you can ensure that your project stays on track and any issues are dealt with promptly.
Agile boards
Agile boards are a key feature for teams that use agile methodologies. They provide a visual representation of tasks, allowing teams to see the status of each task and who’s working on it. Agile boards can help improve transparency, collaboration and productivity in your team.
Customizable fields
Customizable fields allow you to tailor your project management software to your specific needs. You can create custom fields for tasks, projects or resources, allowing you to track the information that’s most important to your team. This feature can enhance the flexibility and adaptability of your project management process.
Dynamic scheduling
Dynamic scheduling is a powerful feature that automatically adjusts your schedule based on changes in resources, priorities or tasks. This can be particularly useful in engineering projects, where changes are often the norm rather than the exception. Dynamic scheduling can help ensure that your project stays on track, even when unexpected changes occur.
How do I choose the best engineering project management software for my business?
Choosing the right engineering project management software depends on a variety of factors. Here are some key considerations to help guide your decision:
Define your needs
The first step is to understand your team’s needs. What challenges are you facing in your current project management process? What features are you looking for in a software solution? The answers to these questions will guide your selection process.
Consider the size and complexity of your projects
Different software solutions are better suited to different types of projects. If you’re managing large, complex engineering projects, you’ll need robust software with advanced features such as risk management and dynamic scheduling. For smaller, simpler projects, a more basic solution may suffice.
Evaluate usability
The best software is one that your team will actually use. Look for a solution that is user-friendly and intuitive. Many providers offer free trials, which can be a great way to test the software’s usability.
Check integration capabilities
Your project management software should integrate with the other tools your team is using. This can streamline your workflows and improve efficiency.
Assess customer support
Good customer support can be a lifesaver when you’re facing technical issues. Look for a provider that offers timely and helpful support.
Consider pricing
Finally, consider your budget. The most expensive software isn’t necessarily the best, and many affordable solutions offer great value. Consider the total cost, including any setup fees and ongoing costs.
Methodology
To determine the top engineering project management software of 2024, we evaluated eight tools by comparing their features, capabilities and pricing structures to deliver this list. Our evaluation criteria included core project management functionalities, the flexibility for customization and integration with other tools, user-friendliness and the level of customer support. Additionally, we considered the value for money, to be certain that prospective clients won’t be priced out. We tested the tools where possible to form an opinion for ourselves and then compared our findings with the verified reviews of real-world users.
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