How to manage software development?

We compare domestic products for project management.

In 2022, we at Navicon, like many IT companies, faced the suspension of Jira, Trello, Asana, and a number of specialized products from global IT giants. For users, this means the inability to purchase new licenses, change the tariff – and even the gradual blocking of existing paid accounts. We were not ready to work in the free version, and even with a high risk of losing access to the system. And to lose project management tools, a list of tasks, a list of responsible managers and outlines of project ideas for even one project for any system integrator is the beginning of chaos.

Therefore, we had to quickly look for affordable high-quality analogues. I share the ones that we paid attention to.

YouGile

The YouGile interface is quite simple and familiar.

A distinctive feature of YouGile is flexible interaction with boards, setting up project roles and sharing boards for related teams. There is a mobile application, which means that you can stay in touch even in line for a cup of coffee.

The functionality is pretty standard for Agile products: boards, deadlines, responsible, attachments to tasks and subtasks in the format of checklists or a multi-level list. You can prioritize tasks and view tasks for all team members. This is convenient when you need to evaluate the workload of specialists. True, this function has a minus – it is not clear on what day this or that work should be performed.

Reporting in YouGile is rather limited, without beautiful dashboards on the manager’s desktop. On the other hand, data upload to Excel is available for self-configuring reporting and uploading pre-configured reports. In addition, among all the products reviewed, only YouGile provides for advanced configuration of access rights and the development of roles, including connecting contractors to tasks.

Reporting download available

Strengths. There are familiar work tools: kanban cards and a Gantt chart. An extensive set of options for working with rights and roles. The product is very mobile: there is a convenient application and chats for specific tasks – no need to be distracted by instant messengers. The browser version is very similar to foreign counterparts in terms of functionality. Therefore, re-implementation should not be difficult.

Weak sides. The lack of integration with the version control system, the UI leaves much to be desired – in general, there is something to work on.

The system is suitable for Agile companies. Focused primarily on small and medium teams.

WEEEK

WEEEK is great for weekly planning

A service with the principle of weekly planning: you schedule tasks and move on them. A notification will remind you of those that have not been completed. Very similar to Trello – there are boards with the same functionality, and all tasks are visible on one screen. Of the additional features – the calendar mode. Helps organize your working time.

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It is convenient that the user can combine tasks into projects, and projects into separate workspaces, or workspaces. Within each individual task, you can also create subtasks – and these will not be checklists, as in simpler task trackers, but full-fledged cards. Many built-in automation tools: task prioritization, assigning and reassigning a responsible person, and others. Thanks to this, the system allows you to manage complex projects.

Within each task, you can create subtasks

Strengths. Better than in YouGile, deadlines are organized – you can allocate a specific time to complete a task. A convenient system of push notifications has been set up, including in the format of messages in Telegram. Boards can be flexibly customized. Since the application was created primarily for creative teams, a convenient system for uploading files is provided – they can be attached directly in the application. The icing on the cake is an attractive and minimalist interface. After YouGile, the design feels very fresh.

Weak sides. The lack of reporting and analytics on tasks limits and allows you to track the progress of work only in time. It is not possible to specify labor costs in the task card.

The Kaiten service turned out to be more suitable for a large distributed team. It has many modules, from Trello-like boards to full Scrum Sprint management. You can work on Kanban and Scrum. All standard functionality is available: summary tables for sprints and projects, analytics by tasks, including at the company level, resource loading reports, including in the form of a Gantt chart, integration with GitLab. The interface is pleasing to the eye.

I was especially attracted by the fact that you can flexibly configure links between tasks. There is no predetermined hierarchy, which is usually the case with task trackers.

Convenient, eye-pleasing interface

Strengths. Firstly, the functionality is well developed: it is possible to customize the boards, including for different business processes, differentiate the role model and work with the customer’s representative. You can also build analytics and charts in different sections: for example, sprint burndown charts, obtaining aggregation values ​​in the context of sprints, work items, employees, and departments. In fact, all the necessary functions for Agile teams are available.

Weak sides. With a large number of tasks on the boards, the system noticeably slows down. Plus, it’s not too expensive.

Well suited, for example, for projects where they develop and implement solutions with a long life cycle and want to assemble a task tracker, a planning system, and project management in a single space.

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