12 Best Resource Management Software Solutions

Resource planning and management are crucial aspects of any business strategy.

Still, sometimes it can be overwhelming when you have to plan months ahead and take into account any future project you might have.

This is where resource management software solutions come in handy. Tools like these are designed to optimize the utilization of resources within organizations and ensure that the right resources are available at the right time to meet project demands. By using these tools, companies can address various challenges such as resource shortage, team capacity, and team scheduling.

From gaining insights into current capacity and achieving uniform workload throughout your agency to tracking billable utilization, resource management tools can help improve your overall business performance and maximize the productivity of your resources.

But there’s so many resource management tools you can choose from. Which one would suit your agency best? We’ve prepared a handy list with the 12 best resource management software solutions out there, from tools that focus mostly on resources to tools with additional features and even a few all-in-one tools that are meant to help you run your entire business.

Let’s dive in!

Productive is a single-platform agency management tool that helps you run a profitable business. From project resource management and setting up complex projects to creating powerful reports and tracking project financials, it’s more than your everyday project management tool. It’s a tool that can be used by agency CEO’s, project managers and entire project or product teams.

With Productive you can be sure you have 360-degree visibility of your agency. It serves as a single source of truth for your business.

Some of the key features include:

Knowing who can take on more work or who might need help with their workload can play a crucial role in your employees happiness and overall performance. With Productive’s Resource Planning feature, you can schedule resources on ongoing projects, project managers can check availability of resources for upcoming projects, you can even schedule time-off and vacations through the feature. Having an overview of resource availability can help you maximize your billable utilization and achieve optimal utilization rates.

Using Productive’s Project Management feature, you can be sure your project schedules are on track. Projects can be broken down into tasks and to-dos that are then assigned to people that need to do them. You also have the option to set up repetitive tasks for anything that needs to be done on a daily, weekly of monthly basis.

Task-level time tracking lets you see the actual time that has been spent on a task. You can just start the timer and get to work. You can also track time by filling out your time sheet at the end of the day. Billable hours are then automatically transferred to invoices for your clients.

With the Reporting feature you’ll be able to create powerful reports and gain actionable reports from real-time data that will help you make informed decisions. With real-time reports, budget tracking and budget management will be a lot easier. You can create reports from available templates, but you also have the option to create customizable reports that suit the needs of your agency.

With Budgeting, you can set up project budgets, track profitability across projects, and forecast when you’re about to go over budget. 

Docs are a new collaboration feature that aims to make collaboration easier in Productive. You can work with your entire team in one document, get feedback from colleagues in the comments and make sure that all of your important project information is held in one place and regularly updated.

Additional features include Billing and Sales. Productive also has active integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, Harvest, Jira, Slack and many more.

You can go for a free 14-day trial before you decide to check out a paid plan.

Smartsheet is a versatile resource allocation tool and project management solution that empowers teams to collaborate, plan, and execute projects seamlessly. It offers intuitive spreadsheets, interactive Gantt charts, and automated workflows, enabling real-time visibility and streamlined project management.

Features:

Smartsheet provides a user-friendly interface that allows teams to quickly adapt and begin managing resources effectively. The software’s advanced features and customization options may require a steeper learning curve for some users.

Asana is a popular resource management tool known for its simplicity and collaborative features. It enables teams to prioritize tasks, track progress, and manage resources effectively, enhancing overall productivity and coordination. It’s a good choice for enterprise resource planning.

Features:

Asana’s clean and intuitive interface promotes easy adoption among team members, fostering better collaboration. The free version of Asana lacks some advanced features, which may require upgrading to a paid plan for a more comprehensive resource management tool.

Microsoft Planner is an integrated resource management tool within the Microsoft 365 suite. It simplifies task organization and team coordination, providing a visual and user-friendly platform for efficient resource management.

Features:

Microsoft Planner’s integration with other Microsoft 365 tools allows for a seamless workflow, facilitating effective resource management within a familiar ecosystem. The tool’s reporting and analytics capabilities are relatively limited compared to standalone resource management software.

LiquidPlanner is a comprehensive resource planning software that emphasizes dynamic scheduling and intelligent resource allocation. It provides accurate project forecasting and helps teams optimize their resources for maximum efficiency.

Features:

LiquidPlanner’s intelligent scheduling algorithms ensure optimal resource allocation, maximizing productivity and project success. The tool’s advanced features and functionality may make it overwhelming for users who require a more simplified resource management solution.

Saviom is a powerful resource allocation and management software designed to assist organizations in effectively managing their workforce and project resources. It offers comprehensive planning, scheduling, and reporting capabilities, empowering businesses to optimize resource utilization.

Features:

Saviom’s robust reporting and analytics features enable data-driven decision-making, leading to improved resource utilization and project outcomes. The initial setup and configuration process of Saviom may require technical expertise or assistance.

Wrike is a versatile resource planning solution and project management software that combines project management capabilities with collaborative features. It offers comprehensive task management, real-time communication, and customizable workflows, making it ideal for teams of all sizes.

Features:

Wrike’s flexibility and scalability make it suitable for both small teams and large enterprises, ensuring efficient resource management across different organizational levels. On the other hand the learning curve for mastering advanced features and customization options in Wrike may be steep for some users.

Jira is a popular resource planning tool primarily used for agile project management. It offers a range of features for planning, tracking, and releasing software projects, making it a preferred choice for software development teams.

Features:

It’s robust features and integration capabilities make it a powerful resource management tool specifically tailored for software development projects. The complexity of the interface and the abundance of features can make it overwhelming for non-technical users or teams outside the software development realm.

Ganttic is a visual resource scheduling software that simplifies resource allocation and capacity planning. It offers an intuitive Gantt chart interface, drag-and-drop functionality, and real-time collaboration, enabling effective resource management across projects.

Features:

Ganttic’s user-friendly interface and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality make it easy to create and adjust resource plans, enhancing efficiency and project coordination. Some users may find the reporting and analytics capabilities of Ganttic to be less comprehensive compared to other resource management tools.

Celoxis is a comprehensive project management and resource planning tool that caters to diverse industries. It provides end-to-end project visibility, resource tracking, and collaborative features, enabling teams to manage resources effectively and deliver projects on time.

Features:

The robust feature set and scalability of Celoxis make it suitable for various industries, facilitating efficient resource management and project execution. The extensive range of features in Celoxis may require additional time and effort for onboarding and training team members.

Workfront (formerly known as AtTask) is a comprehensive work management platform that offers powerful resource management capabilities. It combines project planning, resource allocation, and collaboration features, allowing teams to optimize resource utilization and improve productivity.

Features:

Workfront’s all-in-one platform provides a holistic solution for resource management. This allows teams to streamline their operations and achieve better project outcomes. The complexity of Workfront’s feature set may require dedicated training and ongoing administration to maximize its potential.

Clarizen is a robust resource allocation tool that combines project management, collaboration, and resource optimization capabilities. It provides a centralized platform for planning, executing, and tracking projects while effectively managing and allocating resources.

Features:

Clarizen’s comprehensive feature set empowers agencies to manage projects and resources efficiently while facilitating collaboration and enhancing decision-making through its robust analytics capabilities. Some users may find the learning curve for fully utilizing Clarizen’s extensive features to be slightly steep, requiring initial training and familiarization to maximize its potential.

Effective resource management is vital for any agency looking to optimize productivity and streamline operations (check our guide on HR planning). Project managers can achieve better resource utilization and gain real-time business intelligence by using the right project resource management software. Resource management tools offer a range of benefits, including optimized resource utilization, improved project planning, and streamlined collaboration.

Related: Top 14 Agency Management Software

With many options available out there, it’s important to choose a tool that suits your agency’s specific needs. You should consider your agency’s requirements and explore the features and pricing options of the top solutions to find the best fit for your organization.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive agency management tool, consider booking a demo with Productive.