There are lots of great Agile project management tools out there, and finding the perfect fit can be tricky if you're not familiar with their key differences. But trust me, you don't need to launch a whole new project just to adopt Agile solutions.
To free up your time for the good stuff (catching up with the team and sharing the best project management memes), let's review the 13 top Agile tools to make your search a breeze.
What is Agile methodology?
Agile methodology is an iterative approach to project management that streamlines processes for faster customer value delivery. It's based on the idea that projects can (and do) change, so an Agile team makes plans for responding quickly.
Simply put, Agile project management breaks down projects into smaller, more manageable pieces called sprints. At the end of each sprint, the team reviews what they've accomplished and makes adjustments to the plan. Compared with traditional methods, Agile is much more focused on ongoing improvement, flexibility, communication, and collaboration.
Related: How Mural supports Agile, from learning to development
What are the types of Agile methodologies?
Here are the most popular Agile methodologies:
- Scrum: An Agile framework typically used in software development. It uses sprint cycles (1-4 weeks), backlog management, and daily meetings to keep projects on track.
- Kanban: A method that uses a visual canvas, the Kanban board, to track the progress of work. It emphasizes continuous delivery without time-boxed iterations.
- Lean: An approach that focuses on maximizing value, keeping continuous improvement, and eliminating waste (like rework or delays) in your processes.
💡Remember: Agile is all about embracing adaptability and adjusting to new situations as your project unfolds. This flexibility allows you to combine these methodologies for a hybrid approach, or even choose specific practices that match your project's needs.
Related: A guide to the Agile development lifecycle
How to choose your Agile project tracking software
Follow these four steps to pick the right Agile project management tool:
1. Identify your project needs and goals
The first step is to clearly define your project's requirements. Consider factors like:
- Complexity: Large-scale projects may need robust features, like analytics, while simpler ones might work well with visual task management.
- Team size: A team of 3-5 people can rock with a user-friendly and free tool with minimal functionality. But larger teams may need features like permission controls or advanced reporting to manage workflow and track progress efficiently.
- Budget: Freemium options may be enough for small-scale projects, while larger teams require paid plans, sometimes with additional features and storage capacity.
2. Pinpoint key features you're looking for
Analyze your workflow to map all the features you need in an Agile project management software. Here are some key points to look for:
- Task management: Features that allow you to create, assign, and track tasks efficiently.
- User-friendly interface: An easy-to-navigate platform with a self-service library of accessible and searchable content (in case there's not a single soul online to help you).
- Integration: The ability to combine software with other tools like communication platforms (e.g., Slack), development tools (e.g., GitHub), and other project management tools (e.g., Jira).
3. Make sure the Agile tool supports all Agile methodologies
Here's a nice thing about Agile: you don't need to be 100% stuck to it. A survey by Gartner found that only 16% of organizations follow Agile by the book. It means you can run a "Scrumban" project using Sprint planning but visualizing work with a Kanban board. So, an efficient Agile tool should make customization possible — an easy.
4. Think about real-time collaboration capabilities
Collaborative work has its own "expectation vs reality" moments — and the reality always involves someone getting stressed or lost in the conversation. A key factor to consider when choosing an Agile PM software is its ability to support real-time project collaboration with team members, clients, and other parties involved.
In remote or hybrid teams, this is even more critical. Mural’s 2024 Teamwork Research Report shows that 57% of remote workers aren't very happy with how their teams work. Consider solutions with design thinking features, task discussions, and file sharing to foster an engaging working environment (with less boring meetings, please).
What are the best tools for Agile project management?
Here are the 13 best Agile project management tools to help you choose the best fit for your team's needs.
1. Mural
Ok, so we might be a little biased. But what truly makes Mural the best Agile PM tool is its support for real-time collaboration at every step of an Agile project, from writing your sprint goal to running a retrospective.
Drag-and-drop whiteboarding lets you plan sprints in a flash. Built-in Agile templates save you time, while interactive features transform daily Scrums and sprint reviews into engaging sessions. With Mural, you get a clearer picture of your project workflow with intuitive visualizations.
Our best facilitation superpower? Well, it's hard to decide. But here's a breakdown of our faves:
- Voting: A fun way to make important decisions (and also order the right pizza toppings)
- Hide and reveal: To lock up steps in the outline that you're not ready to share yet (great for handling anxious teammates)
- Scrum framework: Our best Scrum board for starters, great for training and onboarding
Pricing: Start for free or get unlimited murals for $9.99 per user/month.
2. Jira
Jira is a great tool for complex projects and software development teams. With features like issue tracking and advanced analytics, it integrates well with Scrum and Kanban methodologies, so your team doesn't need to follow only one Agile framework.
Like any Agile software management tool for engineering and SaaS development, Jira can be hard to set up and has a higher learning curve. With Jira, your team may need extra tools to brainstorm, as idea management features aren't available.
Pricing: Starting at $7.16 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
3. Trello
Trello became popular for its Kanban boards, with a simple and intuitive visual approach that makes the platform easy to set up and use. Its features include customizable cards and nice third-party integrations called power-ups.
As a flexible and customizable option for beginners and small teams, Trello has limited advanced tools for complex projects. Certain functionalities are available only in premium subscriptions, so having full functionality can be costly.
Pricing: Starting at $5 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
4. Asana
Asana is a strong platform for easily creating and organizing tasks. With templates and integrations that serve various types of projects (event planning, marketing campaigns, product development), it has a clean interface and is easy to use. Compared to other Agile PM tools for larger projects like Jira, Asana has limited customization options. And it may feel overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features.
Pricing: Starting at $10.99 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
5. Monday.com
Even if you're not a huge fan of the regular Mondays, this one may surprise you with its user-friendly approach. Monday.com is a project management tool with visual and customizable workspaces, making it easy to use for tracking projects.
A good communication tool and tracking features make Monday.com an option for remote teams. It integrates well with other tools but lacks advanced Agile-specific features when compared with other alternatives.
Pricing: Starting at $9 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
6. Smartsheet
Smartsheet blends project management with spreadsheet functionality, making it a strong contender for efficient task management. It boasts flexible view options (grid, Gantt, card, calendar), automated workflows, and a variety of integrations.
But while Smartsheet is considered a user-friendly Agile project planning software, it may be better for Kanban board-based projects than those following a strict Scrum framework.
Pricing: Starting at $7 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
7. ClickUp
ClickUp acts as an all-in-one solution for project management, communication, and documents. Suitable for teams of all sizes, it offers a range of integrations with third-party tools. Like other competitors with robust functionalities, ClickUp may feel overwhelming for new Agile adopters.
Pricing: Starting at $7 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
8. Nifty
Nifty combines project management with team collaboration features, offering an easy-to-use interface with a focus on milestone tracking. Built-in time tracking and project budgeting tools address everyday tasks, but reporting and analytics features are limited when compared with other options.
Pricing: Starting at $5 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
9. ProofHub
ProofHub has a straightforward interface that makes it more suitable for task management. Different from other Agile PM solutions, it offers fixed pricing, making it affordable for larger teams.
ProofHub's Agile main features include Gantt charts, Kanban boards, time tracking, and collaboration tools. Customization options and integrations with other project management software are limited.
Pricing: Starting at $45/month* for unlimited users, with a free trial available.
10. Wrike
Wrike is well-suited for large teams and complex projects, offering strong project portfolio management features. Its comprehensive set of tools includes Gantt charts, calendars, Kanban boards, advanced reporting, and time tracking. But Wrike lacks functionalities such as real-time chat options, making it essential to integrate with other solutions. Plus, it's known for having a steeper learning curve, requiring time and training to fully master all its features.
Pricing: Starting at $9.80 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
11. Azure DevOps
Azure DevOps is a Microsoft solution for project management, making it a good choice for teams within the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers a comprehensive toolset for software development and project management, including strong version control and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) capabilities.
Even though it's one of the most popular tools on this list, Azure DevOps (as the name suggests) is more suited for software development teams instead of other types of collaborative project management. You can incorporate Agile elements like user stories and Kanban boards, but other solutions offer better options to integrate into your workflow.
Pricing: Starting at $6 per user/month* with a free subscription limited to five users.
12. Workfront
Adobe Workfront is a platform that supports large organizations with complex project portfolios. Its robust feature set is particularly attractive to clients in creative and marketing fields, offering customizable dashboards, resource management, and detailed reporting.
However, Workfront's complexity and price tag can also be turn-offs. With its large array of functionalities, there's a steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools. Limited free plan options can restrict teams with tight budgets.
Pricing options are available upon request.
13. Quire
Quire is a user-friendly platform for startups and small to medium-sized teams looking for a simple yet effective solution. It has an intuitive interface with nested lists, Kanban boards, and calendars that streamline task organization and progress tracking.
Quire may not be the best fit for highly complex projects that need resource management or detailed reporting. While this Agile project management tool offers a free version, some advanced functionalities are locked behind premium plans, which may be a deal-breaker for budget-conscious teams.
Pricing: Starting at $7.65 per user/month* with a free limited subscription available.
Get started with the best Agile project software
Don't overthink with so many options. With Mural, starting your next Agile project becomes easy.
Our Agile project management software streamlines planning and tracking with the best suite of features:
- Real-time Agile for real: Built for our Agile ninjas, Mural allows for task updates on the fly, keeping your projects flexible and ready for anything.
- Highly-rated for team collaboration: Mural keeps everyone in the loop, no matter where they're working from.
- Agile templates: Make the most out of Mural to fit your project needs, enabling faster iteration of processes and solutions.
- Integrations: Want to mix and match the best platforms? Mural integrates with Asana, Jira, Trello, Azure DevOps, and other tools for the best performance.
Supercharge your Agile journey today and join Mural for free.
*All information contained herein is based on publicly available information as of May 2024.
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