First of all, let’s see what is so special about the PM software for developers. In a nutshell, it’s an assemblage of tools that are meant to aid in organizing, completing, and overseeing specific activities throughout the software development life cycle. By using them, developers can streamline various processes like assigning tasks, keeping pace of progress and expenses, simplifying teamwork, and keeping records. As a rule, they can be also adapted to the distinct environments, procedures and requirements of software development projects.
The benefits of using these tools in developers’ settings are undeniable just as in any other area. Pay attention to some general characteristics that are vital for any industry. But also verify that the program you’re considering checks the boxes for your particular case. Those could be particular integrations, calculation tools, time management capabilities, or workload optimization and tracking. Now, let’s see what are the most common advantages.
Benefits of using this type of software
It polishes up team efforts and results
It greatly enhances team’s involvement and communication while working on a project. With live and prompt updates, for example, everyone can operate more efficiently because they understand and see changes and progress. A messaging space provides a means to discuss any work-related issue, kick ideas around, and give feedback all within the same platform. Additionally, having all the files in one place ensures that important documents and other materials are easy to get to by everyone. What’s also great is that modern programs function on the web, so developers, testers, admins and managers can work on a project from anywhere.
It adds structure to the process
More probable than not, many of us have participated in projects carried out without any procedure, documentation or plan. How’s it? Chaotic and frustrating. Well, PM software is great for arranging different levels of tasks, as well as categorizing them by priority level to keep focus or by any other criteria, and identifying if they advance or get stuck. It dismantles a complex process into understandable and double units and highlights work scope and responsibilities. Apart from that, dashboards, extensive reports, as well as progress-related indicators safeguard that nothing is overlooked and the project develops as it should.
It contributes to effective time management
Time is a precious resource and currency. Being able to manage it masterfully is something that is expected from any project manager. Many use Gantt charts or simplified versions of timelines to take care of time issues in a project. These visual tools clearly show the project schedule, highlighting key stages and latest end dates. By getting app reminders, the whole team is aware of scheduled deadlines and can speed up if needed. Most importantly, specific tracking features tools help to establish and oversee how long each task lasts. This information is indispensable for project leaders to plan further projects with more precise estimates.
It decomplicates resource usage and distribution
It doesn’t really matter if the project is big or small, the resources will often be scarce and the main objective will always be to make them as profitable as possible. PM tools are paramount for cost-effective resource use and disbursement. How do they do this? First, by helping managers to identify required resources for the planned activities. Secondly, by helping them to distribute resources between tasks based on skills and availability.
Many PMs also count on workload balancing features that demonstrate task division among members and their working time. Let’s admit that having one expert overworked, while the other is on the bench is inefficient and can have a negative effect on the whole team and project in the long run. Additionally, some capacity planning features may be used to make sure the team has everything they need to bring the project to a successful end.
It provides more transparency and accountability
These two aspects are crucial for any software development project to ensure that all team members are aware of the project’s progress, challenges, and due dates. This clarity helps in identifying issues before they occur, distributing responsibilities in the correct manner, and maintaining trust within the team.
Without any doubt, users can expect enhanced transparency and accountability from these tools, as they clearly show task details and who’s behind each one. Everyone understands their duties, while detailed activity logs record who completed what and when. What concerns accountability, managers can leverage automatic reporting tools or compose them manually and get the insights into aggregate progress and singling out individual performance.
11 tools for developers to work with projects
1. JIRA
Atlassian’s Jira stands out as a leading tool in the list as it has been specifically created with the idea that it will be used by software development professionals. It embraces Agile’s Scrum framework and Kanban-oriented approaches. Therefore, teams have all the tools to manage sprints, track bugs, and work on a project with the least hurdles possible. Within JIRA’s features you can have the possibility to put together operations and build unique workflows, use in-depth reporting, and connect the software with other development tools like Bitbucket and Confluence. Teams usually value it for the versatility that let them adapt the tool to their specific processes.
2. GanttPRO
GanttPRO is known as an intuitive Gantt chart maker that helps teams visually plan and complete projects of different types and complexity. Developers most often value its straightforwardness when it comes to carrying out any operation in the tool. GanttPRO’s powerful functionality for task scheduling, progress controlling, critical path analysis, and resource management makes it a preferable solution for precise planning and execution. On top of that, it facilitates collaborative work from any device or place in the world.
3. ProofHub
ProofHub provides a user-friendly platform that simplifies project management and collaboration for developers by offering a central hub for tasks, communication, and project visualization. It streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and ensures timely delivery of projects.
With its customizable workflows, Gantt charts, and Kanban boards, ProofHub empowers development teams to efficiently plan, execute, and monitor projects. ProofHub integrates discussions, chat, and file proofing directly within projects, allowing developers to collaborate seamlessly without switching between tools. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive reporting capabilities help developers boost productivity and maintain seamless project progression.
4. Trello
Trello invites developers to plan and do their projects using a simple and graphic, card-based approach. Its boards, activities lists, and cards can be changed and adapted according to the project’s workflow. Thus, teams can use different structures for sprint planning and bug tracking, for example. Trello also offers Power-Ups, which are extensions that add extra functionality. For instance, you can enable calendars or automated actions to untangle workflows further. And, of course, you can find frequently demanded integration options with Slack, tools from Google, and GitHub.
5. Asana
Asana is a general-purpose project management tool that prioritizes work efficiency. While dealing with development projects, managers will find value in its task structuring, project timelines, and setting automatic responses to certain actions. The most valuable feature for developers in Asana is its ability to connect with various tools that are used by teams in this industry: GitHub, Jira, and Slack. These integrations allow developers to track code changes, manage issues, and communicate within one place.
6. Monday.com
Monday.com is another tool for managing projects that is based on different graphic views. PMs can configure automated work processes and set up dashboards to look into progress and handle tasks professedly. Plus, teams can keep track of workflows connecting it with GitHub, Slack, apps from Google Workspace and some more apps. The automation component cut down on busywork, so teams can focus more on coding and less on administrative routine.
7. ClickUp
ClickUp is a full-scale tool that combines the possibility to work with tasks, documents, goals, and chat in one app. Its flexibility and endless list of elements, including modifiable views (schedules, boards, within others), make it easy for dev teams to use ClickUp for their specific purposes. To enhance its utility, software development teams can also establish connections between ClickUp and 1000> apps like GitHub, Bitbucket to see commits and requests, and Zapier.
8. Basecamp
Basecamp is great because it’s quite simple and won’t create much trouble to use it. It gives the project’s team one central spot to store documents, list tasks, and talk things over through discussion threads. With to-do lists, milestone highlights, file exchange and storage, and message boards, everything stays organized and each part stays in the loop. Smaller development teams or projects that don’t need a lot of customization will benefit from this app the most.
9. GitHub Projects
GitHub Projects is a real deal for development teams that refer to GitHub for version control. What it does is consolidating project management and the development operations and workflow. That way, teams can map out and then follow up their work using issues and pull requests. GitHub Projects count on feature options that are particularly useful for code development: boards, activities lists, and automation of processes to do repetitive tasks. This integration ensures extra neatness in team’s work and conveniently links project updates to code changes.
10. Redmine
The first thing that should be mentioned about Redmine is its open-source nature and a blend of adjustability and customization it offers. It supports multiple project management methodologies, and can be synchronized with some tools used in dev teams. Most valued components are issue tracking options, Gantt views, a calendar section, and forums. Given the fact that it’s open-source, developers can transform the tool based on their needs.
11. Teamwork
Teamwork’s comprehensive set of tools allows software development teams to keep everything running smoothly. It helps them organize tasks, see how they are being completed, and work in groups all in one place. Teamwork’s communication tools make it easy to discuss issues and share updates without jumping between different tabs and apps. It’s a great way to stay on top of projects and make certain that the whole team is aligned and functions well.
To sum up
As we have already mentioned above, any solid PM tool is better than no tool at all. It provides clarity, structure and logic to the project and also decomplcaites the process. Pay attention to the features that are relevant for your team, and try out the interface to get the idea if it’s comfortable and easy to work in the app. As a developer, you may most probably need to connect your pm tool to other apps or use API, so we’d also recommend evaluating this while looking at different options.
