Government entities need to manage projects just like other businesses, but their security and compliance needs are especially high, which can limit the scope of their software search. Fortunately, the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP®) has reviewed and approved multiple project management tools that meet government security standards. In this guide, we’ve reviewed several FedRAMP® approved government project management tools as well as some other offerings.
While we have included pricing information here to help you benchmark costs, you should know that in some cases the FedRAMP® approved product version requires a special quote from the government sales department. For instance, the Smartsheet Gov product is different from standard Smartsheet plans and requires a custom quote for pricing.
SEE: 8 Best Project Management Software for Architects
Top government project management software: Comparison table
Beyond security and compliance, you should make sure your government project management software has certain key features. Here are some of the features to look out for when comparing government project management software:
| FedRAMP® authorized | Multiple project views | Native time tracking | Templates | Free plan available | Pricing starts at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartsheet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $7 per person per month |
| Trello | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | $5 per person per month |
| Google Workspace | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | $6 per person per month |
| Clarity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Contact for quote |
| Microsoft Project | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | $10 per person per month |
| ProjectTeam | Pending | No | No | Yes | No | $700 per person per year, sold in blocks of five |
| Lucid Software | Pending | No | No | Yes | Yes | $7.95 per person per month |
| monday work management | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $8 per person per month |
| Wrike | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $9.80 per person per month |
| ClickUp | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $7 per person per month |
Jump to:
Smartsheet: Best for spreadsheet lovers
Smartsheet is a project management tool that bases its design interface on the familiar spreadsheet format. If you’ve been trying to make Excel or Google Sheets work for your project needs, Smartsheet is the solution you’ve been waiting for. The Smartsheet Gov offering is both FedRAMP® and DoD IL4 authorized, making it a great choice for government organizations.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for one user and up to two editors.
- Pro: $7 per user per month billed annually, or $9 per user billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Business: $25 per user per month billed annually, or $32 per user billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Enterprise: Quotes are available upon request.
Features
- Grid view combines a spreadsheet interface with project management features.
- Other project views include Calendar, Gantt and Card (kanban board).
- WorkApps feature lets you build apps to connect external tools with Smartsheet.
- Users can set up task dependencies to Boost efficiency.
Pros
- More than 350 native project templates.
- Great reporting and analytics tools.
- Solid upgrade choice for legacy spreadsheet users.
Cons
- Spreadsheet interface can feel outdated compared to alternatives.
- Not all pages update in real time.
- Autosave feature doesn’t always work.
For more information, read the full Smartsheet review.
Trello: Best for kanban boards
Trello Enterprise Cloud is currently the only Atlassian product that is FedRAMP® authorized for government use. Trello is known for its intuitive, visually appealing Kanban boards, which are extremely easy to use. This beginner-friendly app is a good choice for teams that want to get started with Kanban project management but don’t need a tool meant for power users or complex projects.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for up to 10 boards per workspace and unlimited users.
- Standard: $5 per user per month billed annually, or $6 per user billed monthly.
- Premium: $10 per user per month billed annually, or $12.50 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Between $7.38 and $17.50 per user per month billed annually, depending on user count.
Features
- Butler automation tool helps you build custom workflows.
- Many templates and pre-designed board layouts.
- Checklist format for task management.
- 180+ integrations with popular work apps.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop kanban boards are easy to use.
- The visual interface is easy to navigate.
- Low learning curve makes this a beginner-friendly tool.
Cons
- Not suitable for complex projects.
- Other project views aren’t as robust as the kanban boards; for example, no native Gantt charts or time tracking views are available.
- Could use more customizations.
For more information, read the full Trello review.
Google Workspace: Best for document management
If you’re attached to your personal Google apps, you’ll be happy to hear that Google Workspace is FedRAMP® authorized. This means that all your favorite Google apps — Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides and so on — can be used for and adapted to governmental purposes. While you can make certain Google apps work for more robust project management, we recommend using these tools mainly for document and file management, then syncing them with a dedicated project management tool of your choice.
Pricing
- Business Starter: $6 per user per month billed annually, or $7.20 per user billed monthly.
- Business Standard: $12 per user per month billed annually, or $14.40 per user billed monthly.
- Business Plus: $18 per user per month billed annually, or $21.60 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact sales for a quote.
Features
- Cloud-based software ensures documents are always backed up.
- Documents update in real time to aid team collaboration.
- Templates make it easy to build documents, spreadsheets and presentations from scratch.
- Users can upload and convert other document formats.
Pros
- Excellent document management and file storage capabilities.
- The Google Workspace interface will be familiar to many people.
- Syncs with a wide variety of project management apps.
Cons
- Not suitable for standalone project management.
- The Sheets app isn’t as robust as Excel.
- Must get each mobile app individually.
For more information, read the full Google Workspace review.
Microsoft Project: Best for Microsoft users
Before we dive in, you should know that Microsoft Project is not currently FedRAMP® authorized. However, many other Microsoft apps — including Microsoft Office 365 and Azure Government — are FedRAMP® authorized, so we wanted to include Microsoft Project on the list. Microsoft Project is designed to be used in conjunction with other Microsoft products such as OneDrive and Teams, so it’s the best choice for departments that are already committed to the Microsoft ecosystem.
Pricing
Microsoft Project offers five total plans: three for the cloud-based subscription and three for the on-premises solution. A 30-day free trial is available for the cloud-based solution.
For cloud-based subscriptions:
- Project Plan 1: $10 per user per month. Users can pay monthly or annually.
- Project Plan 3: $30 per user per month. Users can pay monthly or annually.
- Project Plan 5: $55 per user per month. Users can pay monthly or annually.
For the on-premises platform:
- Project Standard 2021: $679.99 per user per month. Users can pay monthly or annually.
- Project Professional 2021: $1,129.99 per user per month. Users can pay monthly or annually.
- Project Server: Contact Microsoft for pricing information.
Features
- Resource management capabilities included.
- Native time tracking included.
- Reporting feature is easy to use.
- On-premises deployment option.
Pros
- Suitable for managing very long, complex projects; the tool can be configured to fit multiple project management methodologies.
- Interface will be familiar to Microsoft users.
- Excellent customer support and user forum.
Cons
- Lacks native file management and team collaboration tools.
- High learning curve makes this most suitable for power users.
- Doesn’t integrate well with non-Microsoft products.
For more information, read the full Microsoft Project review.
ProjectTeam: Best for construction projects
ProjectTeam is a construction project management information system (PMIS) that is currently under review for FedRAMP® authorization. It is designed to assist government organizations and private-public partnerships in planning, designing and executing construction projects. Because of its focus on construction, it is not suitable for more general project management use cases.
Pricing
- Small Teams: $700 per user per year, sold in blocks of five.
- Enterprise: For more than 25 users, contact the sales team for a quote.
Features
- Generate custom forms to track unique construction processes.
- Combine data from multiple projects into centralized reports and dashboards.
- Review detailed history on every form or file for audit purposes.
- Unlimited non-paid contributor seats.
Pros
- Easy to learn and use.
- Quick Start service is available for an extra fee.
- Frequently releases new features.
Cons
- Not suitable for managing projects outside of construction.
- Customizations can take a while to set up.
- System is sometimes slow to load.
Lucid Software: Best for creating visualizations
Lucid Software is the creator of Lucidchart (intelligent diagramming application), Lucidspark (virtual whiteboard) and Lucidscale (cloud visualization solution). Lucid’s government software offering is currently under review for FedRAMP® authorization. While it doesn’t provide traditional project management software, Lucid offers tools that are powerful resources for helping your team brainstorm ideas and visualize processes.
Pricing
Lucidspark and Lucidchart offer the same a la carte pricing options to users:
- Free: $0 for up to three boards or charts; best for personal use.
- Individual: Starting at $7.95. A free trial is available.
- Team: Starting at $9 per person per month. A free trial is available.
- Enterprise: Contact the sales team for a custom quote. This plan option allows users to bundle Lucidspark and Lucidchart together.
Lucidscale is available in two pricing plans:
- Individual: $2,000 per year; includes one Creator license.
- Team: minimum Starting at $2,400 per year; depends on the type of number of licenses purchased.
Features
- Freehand drawings and sticky notes are visual options on the Lucidspark virtual whiteboard.
- Users can add sticky notes to the board and sort by category to create a clear plan of action.
- Create diagrams in Lucidchart to visualize team processes.
- A variety of templates and team collaboration features.
Pros
- Unique visualization capabilities that aren’t matched by other PM tools.
- Many native integrations with external tools.
- Lucidspark and Lucidchart sync together.
Cons
- Not a standalone project management solution.
- Connectors don’t disappear when you delete ideas.
- Big, complicated diagrams may cause performance lags.
monday work management: Best for teams of all sizes
monday work management is not currently FedRAMP® authorized, but we wanted to include it on this list anyways because it’s widely considered one of the best project management tools on the market today. It combines robust project management features with relatively affordable pricing plans and a nice user interface that isn’t too intimidating.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for up to two seats.
- Basic: $8 per seat per month billed annually, or $10 per seat billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Standard: $10 per seat per month billed annually, or $12 per seat billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Pro: $16 per seat per month billed annually, or $20 per seat billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Enterprise: Contact the sales team for a custom quote.
Features
- Native chat feature for in-platform team communication.
- WorkForms tool for creating and sharing surveys.
- Pre-built automations.
- Advanced reporting and analytics.
Pros
- Robust project management features.
- Wide selection of integrations and many customization options
- Colorful interface is easy to navigate.
Cons
- Certain features like Gantt charts and time tracking are limited to higher-tier plans.
- Higher learning curve than some project management alternatives.
- Default notification settings can be overwhelming.
For more information, read the full monday review.
Wrike: Best for project portfolio management
If you were intrigued by the project portfolio management abilities of Clarity but the rest of the tool sounded like overkill for your needs, then you might want to check out Wrike. Wrike is not currently FedRAMP® authorized but does include a host of features that are designed for power users who need to manage multiple complex projects at once.
Pricing
A free trial is available for each of the following plans:
- Free: $0 per user per month.
- Team: $9.80 per user per month.
- Business: $24.80 per user per month.
- Enterprise: Contact the sales team for a custom quote.
- Pinnacle: Contact the sales team for a custom quote.
Features
- Customize request forms to meet company needs.
- Forecasting tools for visualizing project risk.
- In-app invoicing.
- Video and file proofing.
Pros
- Interface is well designed and organized.
- Premium security and data privacy features will appeal to government entities.
- Two-way sync with 12 other apps is available as a paid add-on.
Cons
- Team plan only supports up to 25 users; users also must upgrade to the Business plan for time tracking and template creation.
- Storage space is limited.
- Learning curve is higher than some competitors.
For more information, read the full Wrike review.
ClickUp: Best for affordability
If you are looking for a tool that combines robust project management with affordable pricing, ClickUp should be at the top of your list. While not currently FedRAMP® authorized, ClickUp offers an impressive array of features that will satisfy many teams, especially considering that paid plans start at only $7 per person per month.
Pricing
- Free Forever: $0; best for personal use.
- Unlimited: $7 per user per month billed annually, or $10 per user billed monthly.
- Business: $12 per user per month billed annually, or $19 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact the sales team for a custom quote.
Features
- Choose from more than 15 project views.
- Connect third-party apps with more than 1,000 integrations.
- Message teammates using the built-in chat tool.
- 24/7 customer support for all plans.
Pros
- Affordable and transparent pricing plans; even the free plan offers a high level of functionality.
- Suitable for managing complex projects.
- Interface is colorful and easy to navigate.
Cons
- Free plan only offers 100 MB of storage.
- System can lag and glitch occasionally.
- High learning curve due to the number of features.
For more information, read the full ClickUp review.
Key features of government project management software
Security and compliance
Security and compliance are usually the number one concern when choosing any kind of software for a government project. Make sure that your top choices are either compliant with FedRAMP® or otherwise meet all necessary security standards. Keep in mind that many project management tools reserve their highest levels of security for premium and enterprise accounts, so be sure to account for that in your budget.
Task management
Government project management software should make it easy to manage your personal to-do list. You should also be able to assign tasks to others, set due dates, view completed and upcoming tasks and more within the tool itself.
Project views
Any project management tool worth its salt should offer at least a handful of standard project views such as grids, spreadsheets, Gantt charts, timelines and/or kanban/board/card views. Make sure you read the fine print, though: Some of these tools reserve the most popular views to higher tier plans (like monday work management) or require a third-party app or extension (Trello).
Templates
Project templates can significantly speed up the setup phases of a project and also inspire your team to try out newer, more efficient ways of organizing information. Any government project management tool should include templates that are relevant to the sector and deliver you the ability to create and save custom templates.
Integrations
Even the most robust project management tools won’t have every single feature you need, which is why these tools should integrate with the rest of your software stack. Some project management platforms also offer the ability to build custom integrations thanks to API access, which sometimes comes with added costs.
How do I choose the best government project management software for my business?
Choosing government project management software is a complex process. You will need to work with your IT and security teams as well as other relevant stakeholders to ensure the software meets your functional needs while also supporting necessary safety and compliance protocols.
Start conversations about security early on so that you don’t waste your time researching and test-driving software that doesn’t meet the necessary criteria. Thankfully, some of the most popular project management tools are already FedRAMP® authorized or in the process of earning that authorization. Don’t forget to consider other factors as well, like the ability to create custom workflows and dependabilities that accurately capture governmental processes.
Additionally, make the most of product demos, free accounts and free trials so you can develop a full understanding of the software before committing to a paid plan. Implementing a new government project management software solution or importing data from one platform to another is no small feat, so you want to be confident in your decision before you make the leap.
Methodology
We reviewed these government project management software solutions based on a number of criteria, including pricing, ease of use, user interface design and the learning curve. We also weighed additional features such as automation, project views, templates and time tracking. We evaluated these platforms by consulting demo videos, user reviews and product documentation.
Project management certifications have claimed a place in every top IT certification list for years. That’s because project managers are important to IT operations of all kinds. Whether you are interested in becoming an IT project manager or just want to add project management to your list of soft skills, these five leading certifications will help you add to or boost those skills and, in turn, increase your value.
If there’s a single set of soft skills that’s been fixed on the IT radar for the past decade or so, to the point where it’s become almost as sought after and every bit as valuable as top-level credentials, it must be project management. Thanks in large part to the immensely popular and widely pursued Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), this area has become an incredibly valuable merit badge for IT professionals of all stripes. That’s because it enhances and expands on the value of just about any other kind of technical credential.
Project management has everything to do with planning, scheduling, budgeting for, and then executing and reporting on projects of all shapes and sizes. In fact, anything and everything that IT does can be understood or handled as a project of some kind. It applies to one-of-a-kind activities that happen only once or very seldom (think hardware or OS upgrades or migrating from older to newer platforms or infrastructures). Ditto for a recurring series of activities that repeat regularly (think security patches, software updates or other regular maintenance tasks). Thus, project management is incredibly important and valuable to IT operations across the board.
According to PMI’s Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, 10th Edition [pdf], IT professionals who hold a PMP report median base annual salaries in the U.S. of almost $116,000. The top 25 percent of survey respondents report base salaries of at least $139,000. Depending on such factors as complexity and size of projects, location, fields of expertise (e.g., IT, construction or healthcare), and experience, salaries for some PMP credential holders can be much higher still.
Robert Half’s Technology & IT 2019 Salary Guide lists project management as a hot certification, with salaries varying slightly by technology area. It cites a salary range of $93,000 to $157,500 for project managers in application development environments. Project managers engaged in consulting and system integration roles can expect to earn $96,250 to $163,500 nationwide. This explains nicely why PMP appears in nearly every top 10 list of popular, targeted or most desirable certifications since the early 2000s. It’s no surprise that Robert Half also lists the PMP credential, along with Agile and Scrum certifications, as “highly valued technology certifications” trending up in the IT industry.
To deliver you an idea of which project management credentials employers look for in prospective candidates, we conducted a quick survey on some popular job boards. Clearly, the PMP is the overall favorite and remains our No. 1 pick for must-have project management certifications. PMI’s entry-level project management credential, the CAPM, also made our top five. The CSM from Scrum Alliance, along with ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt credentials, round out those picks. It’s also worth noting that job postings for project managers increased by 20 percent from 2018 across all project management certifications.
Job board survey results (in alphabetical order, by certification)
| Certification | SimplyHired | Indeed | LinkedIn Jobs | LinkUp.com | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPM (Project Management Institute) | 593 | 718 | 1,187 | 381 | 2,879 |
| CSM (Scrum Alliance) | 3,550 | 4,916 | 9,286 | 3,052 | 20,804 |
| CSSBB (ASQ) | 998 | 1,231 | 1,817 | 848 | 4,864 |
| CSSGB (ASQ) | 1,205 | 1,457 | 1,966 | 842 | 5,470 |
| PMP (Project Management Institute) | 13,683 | 18,311 | 28,064 | 9,096 | 69,154 |
CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management
CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management
The same organization behind the more senior Project Management Professional (PMP) credential also backs the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). In fact, the CAPM is properly considered a steppingstone credential for those who wish to attain PMP status by stages, rather than in a single giant leap. That’s why PMI describes the CAPM as a “valuable entry-level certification for project practitioners” that is “designed for those with little or no project experience.”
The PMP requires three to five years of documented on-the-job project management experience, depending on the educational background of each applicant. On the other hand, the CAPM requires only a high school diploma and either 1,500 hours of documented on-the-job experience (about nine months of full-time work) or 23 hours of project management classroom training prior to taking the exam. The education prerequisite can be met by completing PMI’s Project Management Basics online course which costs $350 for PMI members and $400 for non-members.
Nor does the CAPM require continuing education (which PMI calls PDUs, or professional development units) as does the PMP (60 PDUs every three years) to maintain this credential. To recertify, CAPM holders must retake the test once every five years.
The CAPM is one of a small set of entry-level project management certifications (including the CompTIA Project+) that IT professionals interested in project management might choose to pursue. Remember, though, that it is just a steppingstone to the PMP.
Unless you work in a large organization where a project management team is in place that includes junior as well as senior positions, the CAPM by itself is unlikely to provide a ticket to a project management job. However, it’s ideal for IT professionals for whom project management is a part-time job role or who want to grow into full-time project management.
CAPM facts and figures
| Certification name | Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required courses | High school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent, plus 1,500 hours of project management experience or 23 hours of project management education
Certification valid for five years; candidates must retake test to maintain credential. |
| Number of exams | One (150 questions; 15 questions are unscored; three hours to complete) |
| Cost per exam | Computer- or paper-based exams:
PMI member: $225 (retake $150) Nonmember: $300 (retake $200) Exam available in online proctored or center-based test (CBT) formats. Exam administered by Pearson VUE. |
| URL | www.pmi.org/Certification/Certified-Associate-in-Project-Management-CAPM.aspx |
| Self-study materials | PMI maintains a list of self-study materials on its exam guidance webpage, including the Exam Content Outline [pdf], demo exam questions [pdf] and the CAPM Handbook [pdf].
Numerous books are available, including: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Sixth Edition; Sept. 22, 2017; Project Management Institute; ISBN-10: 1628251840; ISBN-13: 978-1628251845 (available for free download to PMI members) CAPM test Prep, Third Edition, by Rita Mulcahy, Sept. 2013, RMC Publications, ISBN-10: 1932735720, ISBN-13: 978-1932735727 CAPM/PMP Project Management Certification All-in-One test Guide, Fourth Edition, by Joseph Phillips; April 23, 2018; McGraw-Hill Education; ISBN-10: 1259861627; ISBN-13: 978-1259861628 |
CSM: Certified ScrumMaster
As companies seek to deliver more for less, many adopt Agile methodologies to streamline processes, build quality into products and ensure that final builds meet customer requirements. As Agile methodologies have become more popular, it’s no surprise that we see increased demand for IT practitioners qualified to manage projects in Agile environments.
While different Scrum master certifications are available, our pick is the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from the Scrum Alliance. This nonprofit encourages adoption of Scrum and Agile practices, promotes user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. The organization boasts more than 500,000 certified practitioners worldwide.
The Scrum Alliance provides a support system for Scrum practitioners, including Scrum Gatherings, user groups, virtual communications, coaching, online training and much more. In addition to community and advocacy activities, the Scrum Alliance offers numerous Scrum-related certifications at the foundation, advanced, professional, elevated (guide) and leadership levels. Scrum Alliance certifications are designed for team members engaged in Scrum master, product owners and developer roles. The Scrum master and product owner tracks offer credentials at the foundation, advanced and professional levels which the developer track only offers a foundation and professional level cert.
- Scrum Master Track: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM), and Certified Scrum Professional – Scrum Master (CSP-SM)
- Product Owner Track: Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (A-CSPO) and Certified Scrum Professional – Product Owner (CSP-PO)
- Developer Track: Certified Scrum Developer (CSD) and Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
- Elevated or guide credentials: Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), Certified Team Coach (CTC) and Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC)
- Agile Leadership: The Scrum Alliance also offers the Certified Agile Leadership (CAL) program, a credential based on a combination of education and validated practice. There are two credentials – the Certified Agile Leadership I and Certified Agile Leadership II.
For project managers getting started as Scrum practitioners, the CSM makes an excellent entry-level credential. Not only must candidates demonstrate an understanding of Scrum principles and values, but they’ll learn how to implement and apply Scrum in practice. The Scrum Alliance provides CSMs with multiple resources, plus checklists and information about the servant-leader role of the Scrum master.
Certified ScrumMaster facts and figures
CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Globally recognized, ASQ certifications attest to candidate expertise, mastery of industry and regulation standards, and mastery of the ASQ Body of Knowledge. Currently, ASQ offers 18 credentials, three of which specifically target project management: the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) (expert level), the Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) (professional level) and the Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) (entry level).
The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is ASQ’s highest Six Sigma credential. The CSSBB aims at experienced practitioners who understand Six Sigma methodologies (including the DMAIC model), tools, systems and philosophies. CSSBBs can lead teams or manage team dynamics, roles and responsibilities.
The path to CSSBB certification is rigorous. In addition to passing a comprehensive exam, candidates must complete two projects that employ Six Sigma tools and processes, resulting in project improvement and a positive financial project impact. An affidavit is also required to attest to the veracity of the project. Alternatively, candidates with at least three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge areas need only complete one Black Belt project.
CSSBB candidates are expected to demonstrate mastery of the ASQ Black Belt Body of Knowledge, called standards:
- Organization-wide Planning and Deployment (organization-wide considerations, leadership)
- Organization Process Management and Measures (impact on stakeholders, benchmarking, business measures)
- Team Management (team formation, facilitation, dynamics, training)
- Define (voice of the customer, business case and project charter, project management tools, analytical tools)
- Measure (process characteristics, data collection, measurement systems, basic statistics, probability, process capability)
- Analyze (measuring and modeling relationships between variables, hypothesis testing, failure mode and effects analysis, other analysis methods)
- Improve (design of experiments, lean methods, implementation)
- Control (statistical process control and other controls, maintain controls, sustain improvements)
- Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Framework and Methodologies (common DFSS methodologies, design for DVX, robust designs)
The CSSBB is valid for three years. To recertify, candidates must earn 18 recertification units or retake the exam.
CSSBB facts and figures
| Certification name | Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required courses | Two completed projects with signed project affidavit, or one completed project with signed affidavit plus three years of experience in one or more areas of the Six Sigma Body of Knowledge |
| Number of exams | One: computer-based (165 questions, 4.5 hours) or paper-based (150 questions, 4 hours) |
| Cost per exam | $438 members, $538 nonmembers (retakes $338)
Exams administered by Prometric. |
| URL | https://asq.org/cert/six-sigma-black-belt |
| Self-study materials | ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of test prep materials, including training opportunities, question banks, interactive demo exams, books and other recommended references. |
CSSGB: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
The Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) by ASQ is a professional-level credential targeting experienced Six Sigma practitioners. Often, a CSSGB works under the direction of the more senior CSSBB or as an assistant. CSSGBs identify issues and drive quality and process improvements in projects.
To earn the credential, candidates should have at least three years of experience working with Six Sigma processes, systems and tools. The work experience must have been full time and compensated; an unpaid internship, for example, doesn’t count. In addition, work performed must have been in at least one of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge competency areas.
In addition to work experience, candidates must pass an test that tests their knowledge of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge. Currently, the Green Belt Body of Knowledge includes six competency areas:
- Overview: Six Sigma and the Organization (organizational goals, lean principles, design methodologies)
- Define Phase (project identification, customer voice, project management basics, management and planning tools, project business results, team dynamics and performance)
- Measurement Phase (process analysis and documentation, probability and statistics, statistical distributions, data collection, measurement system analysis, process and performance capability)
- Analyze Phase (exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing)
- Improve Phase (design of experiments, root cause analysis, lean tools)
- Control Phase (statistical process control, control plan, lean tools for process control)
Overall, this is an excellent credential for those who have some experience but are not quite ready to take on the roles and responsibilities of a Black Belt.
CSSGB facts and figures
| Certification name | Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required courses | Three years of experience in one or more of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge areas
Experience must be a full-time paid position (internships do not meet the experience requirement) |
| Number of exams | One: computer-based (110 questions, 4.5 hours) or paper-based (100 questions, 4 hours) |
| Cost per exam | $338 members, $438 nonmembers; retakes cost $238
Exams administered by Prometric. |
| URL | https://asq.org/cert/six-sigma-green-belt |
| Self-study materials | ASQ maintains a comprehensive list of test prep materials, including training opportunities, question banks, interactive demo exams, books and other recommended references. |
PMP: Project Management Professional
The Project Management Institute (PMI) not only stands behind its Project Management Professional certification, it works with academia and training companies to ensure proper coverage and currency in the various curricula that support this and other PMI credentials. Boasting more than 500,000 global members and 750,000 PMP certified professionals around the world, PMI’s PMP remains one of the most prestigious project management credentials available. (Note: The PMP’s precursor, the CAPM, is covered in an earlier section of this article.)
That’s why you can obtain college- and university-based PMP training from so many institutions. It’s also why you may sometimes find PMP coverage integrated into certain degree programs (often at the master’s degree level).
The PMP credential is coveted by employers seeking the most highly skilled project management professionals. Developed by project managers, the PMP certification is the highest level offered in PMI certifications. It is designed to ensure that credential-holders possess the skills and qualifications necessary to successfully manage all phases of a project, including initiating, planning, scheduling, controlling and monitoring, and closing out the project.
PMP certified projects managers are also well versed and skilled in managing all aspects of the triple constraints – time, cost and scope. Employers depend on the skills of PMP professionals to manage budgets, track costs, manage scope creep, identify how changes to the triple constraints may introduce risk into the project, and minimize such risk to protect the project investment.
The standards for PMP certification are rigorous. Beyond passing a comprehensive exam, credential holders must first demonstrate and certify that they have the skills and education necessary to succeed in the project management field. Credential seekers should be ready to provide documentation for items such as education, projects worked on and hours spent in each of the five project management stages – initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing out the project.
While it’s difficult to achieve, the rewards for PMP credential holders can be significant. According to PMI’s Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, 10th Edition, PMPs in the U.S. earn an average of 23 percent more than their non-credentialed counterparts. The survey reports median salaries of PMPs in the United States at $115,000, as opposed to $92,000 for non-PMP certified project managers.
For those interested in program management or wishing to specialize in a project management area, PMI offers several interesting additional credentials:
The PMP remains a nonpareil certification for IT and other professionals whose responsibilities encompass project management. It is the standard against which all other project management credentials are judged.
It should be noted that, after meeting the prerequisites, candidates are also required to pass a rigorous exam. Candidates must obtain an eligibility ID from PMI before they can register for the exam.
PMP facts and figures
| Certification name | Project Management Professional (PMP) |
|---|---|
| Prerequisites/required Courses | Required courses: None
Prerequisite skills: Four-year degree, 4,500 hours in leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education OR Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or equivalent), 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education Note: Credential holders must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) per each three-year cycle to maintain certification. |
| Number of exams | One (200 questions, 4 hours) |
| Cost per exam | Paper* and computer-based exams:
PMI member: $405 (retake $275) Nonmember: $555 (retake $375) *Paper-based test only available if candidates lives more than 150 miles from testing center or if testing center is not available in the country of residence and travel would provide an undue burden. Exam administered by Prometric. Eligibility ID from PMI required to register. |
| URL | www.pmi.org/Certification/Project-Management-Professional-PMP.aspx |
| Self-study materials | PMI maintains a list of training resources on the PMP test guidance webpage, including links to demo questions, the PMP test Content Outline [pdf] and the PMP Handbook [pdf]. Additional training materials (quizzes, publications, books, practice guides and more) are available from the PMI Store.
Numerous books are available, including: Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Sixth Edition; Sept. 22, 2017; Project Management Institute; ISBN-10: 1628251840; ISBN-13: 978-1628251845 (available for free download to PMI members) PMP test Prep: Accelerated Learning to Pass the Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam, Ninth Edition, by Rita Mulcahy; Feb. 1, 2018; RMC Publications Inc.; ISBN-10: 1943704040; ISBN-13: 978-143704040 CAPM/PMP Project Management Certification All-in-One test Guide, Fourth Edition, by Joseph Phillips; April 23, 2018; McGraw-Hill Education; ISBN-10: 1259861627; ISBN-13: 978-1259861628 Practice exams: PMP test practice test and Study Guide, Ninth Edition, by J. LeRoy Ward and Ginger Levin; June 28, 2018; Auerbach Publications, ISBN-10: 1138440299; ISBN-13: 978-1138440299 |
Beyond the top 5: More project management certifications
Project management is truly a white-hot area for both certification seekers and employers. Several other project management certifications are available, for general IT project management as well as software development project management.
Honorable mention goes to the Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) project management certifications, such as the Professional in Project Management, Associate in Project Management and Certified Project Director. The Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications (featured in the 2017 top-five list) are also excellent credentials and worth honorable mention.
The CompTIA Project+ credential (featured in the 2017 top-five list and honorable mention in 2018) remains a well-known entry-level project management certification for those starting their project management careers. ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB) is another entry-level credential worth exploring, particularly if you’re interested in eventually moving up to the more senior Green and Black Belt credentials.
Most graduate business, management and management information systems (MIS) programs offer project management training to students, and some offer certificate programs outside the project management organizations as well.
You’ll also find training and occasional certification around various project management tool sets. For example, some Microsoft Learning Partners offer courses on Microsoft Project, and you can find a dizzying array of project management packages on Wikipedia’s comparison of project management software page.
The CAPM and Project+ remain the best-known entry-level project management certifications, with the PMP as the primary professional target and capstone for would-be professional IT project managers. Don’t forget to consider PMI’s related certifications as well. For project managers seeking entry into the realm of Scrum, the CSM is the best entry-level cert for Scrum practitioners.
- EUR/GBP delivers a V-shape recovery as UK factory activities remain vulnerable in August.
- UK’s Manufacturing PMI dropped significantly to 42.5 from estimates of 45.0 and the prior release of 45.3.
- Eurozone Services PMI fails to maintain above the 50.0 thresholds and slips into the contracting territory.
The EUR/GBP pair recovers strongly after discovering stellar buying interest near the psychological support of 0.8500 in the European session. The asset strengthened after S&P Global reported weaker-than-anticipated United Kingdom PMI data for August.
UK’s Manufacturing PMI dropped significantly to 42.5 from estimates of 45.0 and the prior release of 45.3. This has been the lowest factory data figure since the pandemic period, which demonstrates the consequences of higher interest rates by the Bank of England (BoE). The current tightening cycle of the BoE is the most aggressive in history and has dampened the economic outlook.
Additionally, Services PMI has shifted into the contraction phase below the 50.0 threshold. The economic data landed at 48.7 lower than estimates of 50.8 and July’s reading of 51.3. Vulnerable UK economic data indicates that the economy is expected to report recession sooner amid painful stubborn inflation.
On Tuesday, BoE policymakers warned about significant upside risks to corporate defaults amid higher interest rates. A survey from the BoE shows that the share of non-financial UK companies experiencing a weak debt-service coverage ratio will rise to 50% by year-end from last year’s reading of 45%.
Meanwhile, UK interest rate swaps demonstrate less than 50% chance of BoE’s interest rates reaching 6%. BoE’s interest rate peak is now seen at 5.90% vs. 6.06% projected earlier.
On the Eurozone front, the preliminary Manufacturing PMI for August outperformed expectations of 42.6, and the prior reading of 42.7, landed at 43.7. However, the Services PMI remained lower at 48.3 than estimates of 50.5 and the former release of 50.9. Eurozone Services PMI fails to maintain above the 50.0 thresholds and slips into the contracting territory.
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When evaluating the best free project management software available, we considered a variety of factors such as pricing, general features, additional features, reviews and recognition, and expert score. We assigned a weighted score to each value and narrowed the field down to the top contenders based on their total score.
Pricing
Pricing is an essential factor when selecting project management software, and we gave this category a weight of 30%. This category includes whether a free version is available and the cost of the starting paid plan.
General Features
We assigned a weight of 30% to this category, which includes important project management features such as role assignment, timelines, Gantt charts, software integrations, dependencies and mobile app support.
Additional Features
Additional features can add significant value to a project management tool, and this category was assigned a weight of 15%. We considered whether the software offers budgeting tools, mark-up features, billing and invoicing, and guest/client access.
Reviews and Recognition
Reviews and recognition are valuable indicators of a product’s quality and customer satisfaction. We assigned a weight of 15% to this category, considering the ratings on platforms such as Capterra and Trustpilot.
Expert Score
Finally, we evaluated the expert score, which includes features, value for money, popularity and ease of use. We gave this category a weight of 10% to ensure we were taking into account both user and expert opinions on each product.
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Canadian project management platform provider Zenhub, used by more than 8,000 development teams around the globe, has announced its roadmap to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its product suite to Boost efficiency and take away grunt work.
The company today debuted one new AI-powered feature available now to customers — new label suggestions for all data entered into Zenhub — as well as a long list of upcoming AI features that co-founder Aaron Upright told VentureBeat in an emailed statement are “helping to deliver on our brand promise of a project management experience that saves teams time.”
The features will be available to teams who opt into a new program: Zenhub’s AI Early Access.
Zenhub’s unique approach to building in AI features
As for what specific AI models or large language models (LLMs) the company is using, Upright said “a mix of OpenAI’s ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4.0.”
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“We’ve found that while 4.0 is superior for some experiences, e.g., summarization of information, 3.5 seems to be more performant and faster at other things like writing text,” Upright explained.
Zenhub is considering incorporating “IBM’s Watsonx models and capabilities as a way to bring our AI experience to our on-premise customers,” he added. “This has been a bit of a unique technical challenge, as most of the models that are available don’t support single-tenant environments.”
New, AI-powered feature set
Some of the new AI-powered features that Zenhub plans to include in its platform “throughout this year and into the next,” according to Upright, include:
- AI Estimation: In what Zenhub says in an “industry first,” AI will suggest to developer teams how challenging and time-consuming a specific project will be, including what specific work will take the most time. Future estimations will change based on the team’s work history and time to completion.
- AI Prioritization: This feature will automatically suggest priority levels for new tasks based on past behavior.
- AI Daily Feed: Designed for stand-up meetings, this feature will provide individuals and teams a daily summary of accomplishments, to-do items and priorities.
- AI-Powered Sprint Demos: This will automatically generate summaries of work done during sprints or weeks, including Loom video demos.
- AI Retros: This feature analyzes recent sprints to determine what went well, what issues and problems came up, and as a result, will suggest potential improvements.
Why announce before general availability?
Why is Zenhub announcing the features ahead of their availability to customers? Upright explained that the company wants to take a “very transparent and collaborative approach to building our AI functionality, and we really want to ensure that our solutions are having a positive impact on developer teams. As a result, we’re rolling these new features out in conjunction with our AI Early Access group and incorporating their feedback as we continue to release them … We’re not interested in building AI for ‘AI’s sake.'”
Upright added that he thought that letting customers have an early look at Zenhub’s plans prior to wide availability would allow Zenhub to incorporate customer feedback into the final features and “become involved in the development itself,” likening the company’s new AI Early Access program through which the features will be initially available to a chance to “kick the tires” on an automobile purchase.
The announcement comes as Zenhub looks to maintain its leading position in the project management space amidst growing competition from AI-focused rivals.
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Most of the projects in Sri Lanka are not complete according to the time plan due to stakeholder and political issues but there is ample opportunity to Boost and develop it, Saman Kandanearachchi, President PMI Sri Lanka Chapter opined at a press briefing held in Colombo recently.
He noted that project management practice in Sri Lanka was at average levels, but there was room to Boost these practices and deliver benefits to the shareholders and stakeholders.
“There is a stakeholder and business value to every project and there is opportunity by following the best practices to add more value to the business as well as the country.”
He emphasised that the country’s policymakers should adhere to project management practices such as scope, time, cost, quality, resource, risk, stakeholder management and communication which are part and parcel of project management.
“So, we advocate and advise policy makers to follow all these best practices related to project management,” he insisted. Kandanearachchi however said certain people have followed it, especially the private sector. But in the government sector less people follow it properly in a professional manner.
“We request government sector policymakers to understand the importance of project management discipline and best practices in project management and they need to inculcate and implement project management practices in the government sector too.
Therefore, the government, government institutions and project managers need to advocate more emphasis in project management practices.” He said the purpose of having Awards Night is to recognize project managers who work in a professional manner. Project management is an important profession where they do start the project from the beginning with the scope, time and the cost.
There are parameters or kind of best practices of following scope, time and cost which involves risk, quality, human resource, communication and stakeholder management.
He said those were the knowledge factors that every project manager need to follow, and they wanted to recognize those professionals who follow these practices as the best project manager and purpose of this awards is to recognize those project managers and their work and deliver recognition to them which would be a kind of a professional recognition for them which will be useful in their future business endeavors as well as their careers.
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Project Management Conference, Awards Night on Aug. 16
The Project Management Conference and the Awards Night hosted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Sri Lanka Chapter is scheduled to be held on August 16, 2023 at the Kingsbury Hotel Colombo under the theme “Navigating Complexity Strategies for Successful Project Management”.
Two separate events have been organized under the same auspices, the National Project Management Conference 2023 which is open to the general public. Over 400 professionals in the project management arena including C-level officers of leading conglomerates will participate in the event and the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2023 which is the awards ceremony of the PMI.
National level projects that were undertaken would also be recognized at the event. The conference would cover 8 hours of information on project management related discussions and presentations spanning two days.
Fizel JabirWhile some people like the option of downloading a desktop app, plenty of others prefer to use a web-based project management software that doesn’t require you to get anything. Fortunately, there are many different web-based project management software platforms out there to choose from — which makes it difficult to decide on a final selection.
In this guide, we round up the top 10 web-based project management software that you should consider using this year.
Jump to:
Top web-based project management software comparison
While cloud-based project management software do offer a lot of the same functionality, each platform also offers its own unique set of features that set it apart from the back. In the chart below, we’ve summarized some of the most essential features to look for in web-based project management software.
| Multiple project views | Native time tracking | Built-in chat messaging | Forever free plan | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday work management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $8 per user per month |
| Smartsheet | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $7 per user per month |
| ClickUp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $7 per user per month |
| Wrike | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $9.80 per user per month |
| MeisterTask | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $11.99 per user per month |
| Teamwork | Yes | Yes | Add-on | Yes | $5.99 per user per month |
| Notion | Yes | No | No | Yes | $8 per user per month |
| Coda | Yes | No | No | Yes | $10 per user per month |
| Hive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $12 per user per month |
| Zoho Projects | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $5 per person per month |
monday: Best all-in-one platform
monday work management is one of the most well-rounded web-based project management software on the market today. In addition to classic features like multiple project views and time tracking, it also incorporates helpful tools that many other project management platforms lack, such as invoicing creation.
It is also highly scalable and flexible, working for teams both large and small across many different industries, which is why it’s one of the most popular agile project management software as well.
Pricing
- Free: Free plan for up to two users.
- Basic: $8 per seat per month if billed annually or $10 per seat per month if billed monthly.
- Standard: $10 per seat per month if billed annually or $12 per seat per month if billed monthly.
- Pro: $16 per seat per month if billed annually or $20 per seat per month if billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact sales for a quote.
Features
- Various data visualization options.
- Invoice creation tool.
- Automation center contains pre-built automation.
- Easy data import function.
Pros
- Option to add on a sales CRM and/or development tools.
- Well-designed and intuitive user interface.
- 200+ project templates to choose from.
- Unlimited documents on all plans.
Cons
- Must upgrade to Pro account for time tracking.
- Default notifications settings can become overwhelming.
- Advanced features present a high learning curve.
- Free plan limited to only two people.
For more information, read the full monday work management review.
Smartsheet: Best for spreadsheet fans
If you’ve ever wished that you could manage projects in an online spreadsheet (or are currently doing that now) then Smartsheet was designed with you in mind. Smartsheet combines a cloud-based, grid-like interface with robust project management features and affordable prices to create an extremely useful software platform. You can also try out other project views, like Gantt charts and calendars, if the grid view isn’t working for you.
Pricing
- Pro: $7 per user per month billed annually, or $9 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Business: $25 per user per month billed annually, or $32 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Enterprise: Quotes are available upon request.
Features
- Choose from grid, Gantt chart, calendar and Kanban board project views.
- Library of 280+ templates to choose from.
- Build flexible, automated workflows for repetitive tasks.
- Team collaboration and file management tools.
Pros
- More traditional interface will feel familiar to many spreadsheet users.
- Access WorkApps, a low-code app creation tool.
- Activity log tracks change management.
- Onboarding assistance available.
Cons
- Grid interface can feel outdated compared to some alternatives.
- Some features are add-on only.
- Must upgrade to Enterprise plan for advanced security measures.
- Must upgrade to higher tier plans for premium support.
For more information, read the full Smartsheet review.
ClickUp: Best for teams of most sizes
Similar to monday work management, ClickUp is a robust project management tool that is designed for managing multiple complex projects at once. It also includes native time tracking, document management and more than 15 project views. However, ClickUp doesn’t have native billing and invoicing tools, so professional service teams should keep that in mind. You can easily integrate with other tools thanks to ClickUp’s 1,000+ Zapier connections.
Pricing
- Free Forever: $0; best for personal use.
- Unlimited: $7 per user per month billed annually, or $10 per user per month billed monthly.
- Business: $12 per user per month billed annually, or $19 per user per month billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Quotes are available upon request.
Features
- Create documents, wikis and knowledge bases.
- Built-in chat messaging feature.
- Real-time reporting and analytics.
- Choose from more than 15 project views.
Pros
- Interface is colorful and easy to navigate.
- Free plan allows unlimited users.
- 24/7 customer support for all plans.
- Excellent customization options.
Cons
- Storage for the free plan is limited to 100MB.
- System occasionally lags when moving between pages.
- Can have a higher learning curve due to the number of features.
- Need a Zapier account to access most integrations.
For more information, read the full ClickUp review.
Wrike: Best for project portfolio management
Wrike is designed with power users in mind, which makes it an excellent choice for project portfolio management. The learning curve will likely be intimidating to users who aren’t familiar with web-based project management software, but it’s hard to beat the sheer number of features and customizability that Wrike offers for more advanced users. If your current solution just isn’t powerful for your needs, then Wrike is definitely worth a look.
Pricing
- Free: $0 per user per month.
- Team: $9.80 per user per month.
- Business: $24.80 per user per month.
- Enterprise: Quotes are available upon request.
- Pinnacle: Quotes are available upon request.
Features
- Forecast and visualize project risk with the analytics tool.
- Billing and invoicing tools.
- Video and file proofing.
- Resource management features.
Pros
- Paid add-on option for two-way sync with 12 other apps.
- Well organized and designed interface.
- Premium security and data privacy features.
- Suitable for complex project portfolio management.
Cons
- Team plan supports a maximum of 15 users.
- Time tracking not included on Team plan.
- Storage space is limited.
- Higher learning curve.
For more information, read the full Wrike review.
MeisterTask: Best for task management
You probably know Meister for its digital collaboration tool MindMeister, but it also makes a project management platform called MeisterTask. This easy-to-use software sports a friendly, colorful interface that won’t intimidate beginners, and it offers a relatively low learning curve. It’s a great option for simple task management, but isn’t powerful enough to handle extremely complex projects and lacks some features like pre-built templates.
Pricing
- Basic: $0 for up to three projects and one user.
- Pro: $11.99 per month, billed annually, or $14.49 billed monthly.
- Business: $23.99 per month, billed annually, or $28.99 billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact sales for custom pricing.
Features
- Native time tracking tool.
- Custom fields for tasks available.
- Connect dependent tasks through task relationships.
- Recurring tasks cut down on repetitive work.
Pros
- Filter tasks by multiple criteria.
- Guided-set process walks new users through everything.
- Friendly, colorful layout.
- Connect with over 4,000 apps through Zapier.
Cons
- You have to create all templates from scratch.
- No built-in chat messaging.
- Reporting is not that detailed compared to competitors.
- Native integrations are somewhat limited.
For more information, read the full MeisterTask review.
Teamwork: Best for client management teams
Teamwork is another fully featured web-based project management software that includes many features helpful for client-facing teams, including document proofing, time tracking and invoice creation tools. You can also create reports and easily share them internally or externally in multiple formats. Even better, Teamwork’s pricing plans are on the more affordable end, making it a great combination of cost and functionality.
Pricing
- Free Forever: $0 per month for up to five users.
- Starter: $5.99 per user per month billed annually, or $8.99 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Deliver: $9.99 per user per month billed annually, or $13.99 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Grow: $19.99 per user per month billed annually, or $25.99 per user per month billed monthly. A free trial is available.
- Scale: Quotes are available upon request.
Features
- Detailed time tracking tool.
- Workload and resource management features.
- Bulk edit sections and tasks all at once.
- Proofing function included.
Pros
- Client onboarding template provided.
- File versions keep everything up to date.
- Many visualization options for project data.
- Option to add on CRM software, chat software, helpdesk software and/or knowledge base software.
Cons
- Modifications don’t become visible immediately.
- Interface can feel a bit outdated compared to alternatives.
- Must upgrade to Deliver plan to get automations.
- Knowledge base creation is not included and requires a separate add-on.
For more information, read the full Teamwork review.
Notion: Best for creative teams
Notion is a multi-purpose productivity app that combines note taking, document organization, task management and project management. While its features aren’t suitable for very complex projects — it lacks Gantt charts, for example — it’s a great choice for creative teams that have a lot of files and documents they need to manage.
Basically, Notion combines knowledge management, task management and project management into one easy-to-use tool.
Pricing
- Free: No cost plan with limited features.
- Plus: $8 per user per month billed annually, or $10 per user per month billed monthly.
- Business: $15 per user per month billed annually, or $18 per user per month billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Custom quote.
Features
- Wiki and document creation.
- Multiple project views available.
- Customizable templates for different workflows.
- Built-in time tracking available.
Pros
- Simple and well-organized user interface.
- Excellent community support.
- All-in-one productivity tool.
- Great for knowledge management.
Cons
- No Gantt charts.
- No budgeting or invoicing tools.
- No time tracking.
- Not suitable for managing complex projects.
For more information, read the full Notion review.
Coda: Best for document management
Coda is a bit different from the other platforms on this list, and it focuses on note taking and document management. It also offers some project management features, including Gantt charts and Kanban boards, so it will suffice for simple task and product management needs. But where it really shines is its documentation features, making it the perfect choice for teams that need to create and manage databases, spreadsheets and documents.
Pricing
- Free: No cost and unlimited users.
- Pro: $10 per user per month billed annually, or $12 per user per month billed monthly.
- Team: $30 per user per month billed annually, or $36 per user per month billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact sales for a custom quote.
Features
- Connected tables, charts, kanban boards and forms.
- Workflow and task automations available.
- Native forms available.
- Group training available for all plans.
Pros
- Excellent document management capabilities.
- Free plan doesn’t limit users.
- Many different templates available.
- Only charges for document makes, not all users.
Cons
- Higher priced plants can get expensive, especially for larger teams.
- Have to pay for some Packs, a.k.a. Extensions.
- Only 7 days version history on the free plan.
- No desktop app option.
For more information, read the full Coda review.
Hive: Best for goal setting and tracking
Hive has a unique goal setting feature that lets you set and track goals and subgoals for your entire team. This keeps your entire team focused on the big picture and encourages your entire company to work together to meet your business goals. Goals can be task-based, numerical, monetary or custom depending on your needs.
It also includes project management features such as Kanban boards and Gantt charts, time tracking and team collaboration tools.
Pricing
- Free: No cost for up to 10 users.
- Teams: $12 per user per month billed annually, or $18 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact Hive’s sales team for pricing information.
Features
- Unique goal setting feature.
- Advanced reporting and analytics tools.
- Gantt, Kanban, calendar & table views.
- Intuitive, well-designed interface.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop feature makes the tool extremely easy to use.
- Highly scalable; adapts to businesses of all sizes.
- Over 1,000 integrations available through Zapier.
- Unlimited tasks on the free plan.
Cons
- Only 200MB of storage on their free plan.
- Steep learning curve for more advanced features.
- Custom reporting only available on Enterprise plan.
- Mobile app could use more functionality.
For more information, read the full Hive review.
Zoho Projects: Best for teams on a budget
While Zoho Projects was designed to be used in conjunction with the rest of the Zoho software stack, it also makes a compelling case for itself thanks to its great selection of features and its affordable price tag: Paid plans start at just $5 per person per month.
The software is also relatively easy to master, even if you’ve never used a Zoho product before, making it a great choice for teams looking for their first web-based project management software.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for up to three users.
- Premium: $5 per person per month.
- Enterprise: $10 per person per month.
Features
- Blueprints automation tool lets you built-in custom workflows.
- Time tracking tool compares estimated time with spent time.
- IssueTracker tool helps software teams log bugs.
- Chat and forum areas promote team communication.
Pros
- Transparent and affordable pricing plans.
- Integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Zoho software stack.
- Easy-to-navigate user interface.
- Relatively low learning curve compared to alternatives.
Cons
- No billing or invoicing tools.
- Free plan is capped at three users.
- Could use more native project templates.
- Interface won’t be as familiar if you’ve never used Zoho before.
For more information, read the full Zoho Projects review.
Key features of web-based project management software
Task management
You should be able to create tasks, set deadlines and assign them to yourself and others. Additionally, you should have the option to view all your upcoming tasks in a dashboard or another centralized place, and set up alerts and notifications when certain actions take place. Ideally, you should also be able to create subtasks and task dependencies to keep everything organized.
Project views
The best web-based project management software should provide multiple project views to choose from. The most common are calendars, Kanban boards (sometimes called card view), spreadsheets (sometimes called grid view) and timeline view (typically known as Gantt charts). Many software platforms restrict Gantt charts to a paid plan to encourage people to sign up for a subscription.
Project templates
Most project software provides a vast library of hundreds of project templates to choose from. These templates are usually designed for a wide range of teams and industries, from marketing to software development to accounting and beyond. The best web-based project management software will also deliver you the ability to create and save your own custom templates.
Time tracking
Time tracking is absolutely essential for teams that are paid hourly or need to track billable hours for clients. It can also be useful for salaried workers to see where their time is going. Many (though not all) web-based project management software platforms offer time tracking, but some restrict it to a higher tiered paid plan or require you to pay for an add-on.
Automations
Automations eliminate redundant manual work and help reduce the chances of errors. While this feature was once less common, right now most web-based project management software allows you to create and save custom automated workflows. However, some cap the number of automation actions based on which pricing tier you pay for, so it’s worth asking the sales team about this on the call.
How do I choose the best web-based project management software for my business?
No two web-based project management software offer exactly the same features. At the very start of your search, you and your team should identify your must-have and nice-to-have features, and use that to narrow down your options. For instance, if you specifically want open source project management software, that will significantly limit your options.
Most web-based project management software offer both a free trial and a forever free plan with restricted features. Use both of these options liberally to test the software out on your own to make sure that it can do what you actually want it to do. Demo calls with the sales team can also be helpful if you come prepared with questions ahead of time.
If you’re not totally sold on a certain web-based project management software, then choosing a month-to-month plan will let you test it out without committing to an annual contract. If you decide that you’ve found the perfect web-based project management software for your needs, then you can switch to an annual pricing plan to save some money.
Methodology
We reviewed these web-based project management software based on a number of criteria, including pricing, ease of use, user interface design and the difficulty of the learning curve. We also weighed additional features such as document management, automation, project views, templates, time tracking and billing and invoicing. We evaluated these platforms by consulting user reviews and product documentation.
