The Best Scrum Tools Of 2024 For Agile Project Management
In recent years, Scrum has emerged as the predominant approach to agile project management, embraced by both software and non-software development teams. Its widespread adoption has led to the proliferation of tools claiming to be the ultimate solution for Scrum implementation.
Finding the right Scrum tool amidst the plethora of options can be daunting. The ideal tool seamlessly aligns with your project requirements, facilitates sprint goal attainment, and is budget-friendly.
Navigating through countless options on the internet can be overwhelming and leave you feeling more bewildered than enlightened. To simplify your search, we've curated a list of top Scrum tools to alleviate the decision-making process and assist you in selecting the perfect fit for your team.
Best Scrum Tool Selection Criteria
Each organization possesses unique needs and specifications tailored to its industry and objectives. What works for a digital agency may not necessarily suit the requirements of a hospitality business. However, there are fundamental features essential for top-notch Scrum tools. Our assessment criteria encompass the following elements:
Sprints
Backlog Management
Visual Representation
Gantt Chart Functionality
Reporting and Analytics Capabilities
Seamless Integrations
Pricing Structure
How to Select the Best Scrum Tool for your broader team?
You need to ask yourself the following questions when selecting the right To choose the most suitable Scrum tool for your entire team, consider the following questions:
Purpose: What specific functionalities do you need the tool to fulfill? Define your requirements clearly to ensure the selected tool aligns with your goals.
Integration: Identify the existing tools and systems used by your team. The chosen Scrum tool should seamlessly integrate with these platforms to facilitate smooth workflow and data management.
Team Size: Evaluate the size and structure of your team. Some tools are better suited for small, closely-knit teams, while others are designed to accommodate larger teams with diverse roles and responsibilities.
Budget: Determine your budget constraints and weigh them against the features offered by different Scrum tools. Opt for a tool that provides the necessary functionalities within your financial means.
By addressing these questions, you can streamline the selection process and choose a Scrum tool that enhances collaboration, productivity, and project success for your broader team.
8 Best Scrum Tools to Increase Your Productivity
1. ChetsCRM
Introducing ChetsCRM, a remarkably versatile free Scrum tool available online, renowned for its comprehensive approach to Scrum integration. Initially designed as a project management software, ChetsCRM stands out by offering an extensive range of features tailored to streamline Scrum implementation without the need for complex add-ons.
With ChetsCRM, managing your daily Scrum meetings becomes effortlessly productive, thanks to its robust meeting management solution. Here's how ChetsCRM facilitates effective Scrum implementation:
Key Features to Note:
Project Portfolio: Centralized listing of all projects for easy access, customizable according to your preferred view.
Task Management: Convenient display of associated and independent tasks for swift assignment and progress monitoring.
Daily Scrum Management: Smart meeting management tools with advanced participant controls.
Team Collaboration: Seamless feedback provision through task comments and an updated activity log.
Task Tracking: Elaborate task management capabilities including severity levels and assignment tracking for timely resolution.
Progress Reporting: Built-in Gantt charts and timesheets for tracking project progress and planning future steps.
Team Management: Independent workspaces for teams engaged in multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring transparency.
Third-Party Integrations: Integration options with popular platforms like Slack, Zoom, PayPal, and Stripe.
Pricing:
Free: Includes unlimited project creation, timesheet reporting, tasks, and Scrum meetings, along with additional features like payroll management and file storage.
Premium: Starts at $50 per company per month, offering unlimited access to all features.
ChetsCRM also provides a yearly free trial for up to 5 users, allowing organizations to experience its capabilities firsthand.
2. Monday.Com
Formerly recognized as 'Da Pulse,' Monday has swiftly gained traction in the project management sphere. Functioning as a Scrum tool, Monday excels in project and task management for Scrum teams, boasting several notable features. Firstly, users can effortlessly create and visualize roadmaps directly from their dashboard, subsequently sharing them with team members via invitations.
Monday boasts an intuitive interface that not only appeals aesthetically but also ensures convenient accessibility. Upon initial observation, users are greeted with a simple dashboard featuring essential shortcuts conveniently located in the left sidebar. Scrum practitioners will appreciate finding backlog, dependencies, and sprint planning shortcuts neatly arranged within the dashboard sub-menus.
While not inherently designed for Agile or Scrum methodologies, Monday can be adapted to meet these requirements. However, its primary drawback as a top Scrum tool lies in the absence of comprehensive burndown charts. Although there is a reporting feature, it lacks detailed sprint progress tracking, effort grading, and capacity assessment capabilities.
Nevertheless, Monday proves to be a valuable asset for program and project managers alike, offering the following key features:
Seamless visualization, brainstorming, and planning across multiple projects.
Eye-catching interface with sleek design elements.
Non-intrusive notifications to aid in maintaining focus.
Integration with mobile devices, other project management tools, and third-party applications for enhanced versatility.
User-friendly learning curve complemented by round-the-clock support from a friendly staff.
Pricing:
Monday.com's basic pricing plan starts at $45 per month, with options available up to the enterprise level, tailored to your company's specific needs. Contact their support representatives for customized packages and additional information.
3. Jira
You're probably familiar with Jira, as it's widely recognized as one of the leading agile tools for Scrum. Therefore, it rightfully earns the second spot on this list.
Jira offers a plethora of features designed to streamline Scrum implementation, such as customizable Scrum boards, tailored filters for backlog management, and various visual project reports. Despite its comprehensive functionality, Jira may initially appear daunting for newcomers to Scrum. It requires a significant learning curve, so it may not be the best choice for those new to the methodology.
Let's explore the key features of Jira:
Key Features
Customizable Scrum boards
Robust progress reporting capabilities
Efficient backlog management tools
User story mapping functionality
Bug and task tracking system
Time tracking features
Personalized dashboard options
Effective sprint management tools
Flexible custom filters
Real-time reporting capabilities
Extensive integration options with third-party applications
Pricing
Up to 10 users: $10 per month
11-100 users: $7 per user per month
More than 100 users: Pricing available upon request for larger teams
Jira offers a 7-day free trial for users to explore its features before committing to a subscription.
4. Targetprocess
While TargetProcess may not boast the vibrant interface seen in tools like Monday, it stands out as a reliable contender in the Scrum tool arena. Despite its simplistic appearance, TargetProcess has quietly built a solid reputation over 15 years, offering a user-friendly experience that fosters a sense of familiarity.
One of TargetProcess's standout features is its extensive customization options. Users can take advantage of numerous free templates, custom cards, and graphical reports tailored to suit the nuances of the Scrum methodology. Notably, TargetProcess supports the SAFe methodology, including the Kanban framework and value stream mapping, catering to the needs of agile teams seeking scalability and efficiency.
Key Features:
Centralized projects dashboard for streamlined project management
Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for effortless task organization
Project timeline functionality for visualizing project progress
Efficient backlog management tools for prioritizing tasks
Comprehensive tasks and bugs tracking system for identifying and resolving tasks
Shareable boards to facilitate collaboration among team members
Sprint management capabilities to plan and execute project iterations effectively
Multiple project reports for in-depth analysis and insights
User story mapping for visualizing user requirements and priorities
Extensive integration options with third-party applications to enhance functionality
Pricing:
Team: Free for unlimited users with basic support
Company: $20 per user per month
Enterprise: Pricing available upon request, includes premium support and advanced services
Despite its understated appearance, TargetProcess proves to be a robust Scrum tool choice, offering a range of features and support for agile methodologies at competitive pricing tiers.
5. Scrumwise
Our next featured tool on the list of top Scrum tools is Scrumwise. This user-friendly and intuitive platform is designed specifically to support effective sprint goal achievement. Its straightforward interface makes it an ideal choice for Scrum implementation.
With Scrumwise, you can effortlessly create backlog items and organize them using lists, tags, and filters, ensuring quick access whenever needed. Additionally, the tool enables you to break down tasks into subtasks and checklists for enhanced management.
One of Scrumwise's standout features is its native time tracking functionality, allowing you to evaluate detailed time logs of team members and bill clients accurately. Here are some key features of Scrumwise:
Product backlog management
Tasks and subtasks management
Native time tracking
Comments and file attachments
Kanban boards for visualizing workflow
Burnup and burndown charts for tracking progress
Team chat functionality
Autosaving of updates
Drag and drop interface
Access to third-party applications
Pricing for Scrumwise offers flexibility, with options to pay either monthly at $9 per user or annually at $7.50 per user, making it accessible for teams of all sizes.
6. Asana
While primarily recognized as project management software, Asana earns a spot in our selection of top Scrum tools due to its robust features tailored to support Scrum implementation. With a vast library of native templates, Asana streamlines product launches by eliminating the need to start from scratch.
Asana simplifies backlog management through its Kanban boards, facilitating the identification of bottlenecks that may hinder sprint goals. Additionally, the project timeline feature enables users to closely monitor project schedules, ensuring timely delivery.
Key Features of Asana include:
Kanban boards for efficient task organization
Project timeline for visual project scheduling
Built-in project templates to expedite planning processes
Backlog management capabilities
Meeting management tools
Comments and file attachments for seamless collaboration
Task dependencies and project milestones tracking for enhanced project performance monitoring
As for pricing, Asana offers several tiers:
Basic: Free, offering basic task management features
Premium: $9.99 per user per month
Business: $19.99 per user per month
Enterprise: Custom plan tailored to the needs of large organizations
With its versatile features and flexible pricing options, Asana proves to be a valuable asset for teams seeking efficient Scrum implementation and project management.
7. Bitrix24
To meet the demands of power users in Agile teams, Scrum tools must offer a comprehensive range of features. Bitrix24 stands out as a highly recommended Scrum tool, despite some limitations. Its array of solutions addresses common challenges encountered by Scrum masters and project managers, making it a valuable asset for Agile teams.
Key Features of Bitrix24 include:
Support for multiple languages to cater to a global user base
Email notifications to keep users informed of updates and changes
Bulk file sharing for efficient collaboration and data management
CRM reports and planning tools for customer relationship management
File sharing and versioning capabilities to streamline developer data management
Robust reporting system for tracking tasks and timeline-oriented milestones
Collaboration features for conducting retrospective sessions with team members
Extranet support for secure communication and collaboration with external partners
In terms of pricing, Bitrix24 offers four packages:
Free Plan: Includes 12 user accesses, 1 Admin role, and 5 GB of data storage per month
Plus Plan: $39 per month
Standard Plan: $99 per month
Premium Plan: $199 per month
While Bitrix24 may have its drawbacks, its comprehensive feature set and pricing options make it a compelling choice for Agile teams seeking a reliable Scrum tool.
8. MeisterTask
Introducing MeisterTask, a beautifully designed task management tool tailored for agile teams. With its flexible Kanban boards, MeisterTask seamlessly adapts to your team's unique workflow. The platform offers a plethora of integration options with your favorite tools, enabling a smooth workflow with smart automation features that enhance efficiency and consistency.
MeisterTask prioritizes user experience, offering free webinars and an extensive online help center to facilitate easy onboarding for your team. Additionally, quick email support is available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility and support for users worldwide.
Key Features of MeisterTask include:
Backlog management capabilities
Progress tracking and reporting with Gantt charts or timeline views
Request and resource management functionalities
Status tracking abilities for real-time project monitoring
Team and workflow management tools
Kanban boards for visual task organization
Milestone tracking to monitor project milestones
Pricing options for MeisterTask are as follows:
Basic Plan: Free agile tool
Pro Plan: $4.19 per month
Business Plan: $10.39 per month
Custom Enterprise Plan: Contact for tailored pricing and features
With its intuitive interface, comprehensive feature set, and flexible pricing options, MeisterTask emerges as a compelling choice for agile teams seeking a reliable task management solution.
In recent years, Scrum has solidified its position as the go-to approach for agile project management across various industries. With this surge in popularity, the market has seen a proliferation of tools vying to be the ultimate solution for Scrum implementation. Amidst this abundance of options, finding the right tool tailored to your team's needs can be a daunting task.
To simplify this process, we've curated a list of the best Scrum tools of 2024, each carefully evaluated based on essential criteria such as sprint management, backlog organization, visualization capabilities, reporting features, integrations, and pricing structure. By focusing on these key elements, teams can narrow down their choices and select a tool that seamlessly aligns with their project requirements, enhances productivity, and fits within their budget constraints.
Furthermore, we've outlined a set of questions to guide teams in selecting the best Scrum tool for their broader team, emphasizing the importance of defining purpose, assessing integration capabilities, considering team size, and evaluating budgetary constraints.
From ChetsCRM's comprehensive approach to Scrum integration to Asana's robust project management features, each tool offers unique benefits tailored to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and drive project success. Whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, there's a Scrum tool on our list to suit your needs and propel your team towards greater efficiency and productivity in agile project management.