Assessing Project Management Tools Using the QUOTA Scorecard
Executive Summary
Project managers have access to a plethora of cloud-based technology tools and software products that can assist in keeping projects and people on task. Organizing line items, coordinating responsibilities, and producing projects through email alone is a dated approach to project management. With the growing number of project management tools, it is important to evaluate tools objectively for overall fit, purpose, and potential effectiveness. The QUOTA scorecard was initially conceptualized as a way to assess the effectiveness of digital tools for teaching in online courses and was modified to assess project management tools for the purposes of this article.
Technology adoption rarely occurs in a bubble and it is important to implement a mechanism that gives multiple stakeholders voice in the selection of such technology, including clients. Wiley et al. (2016) suggested that project management software use is justified due to the complexity of projects, tasks, and people involved. By transitioning the scorecard to a survey-based Google Form, many users can contribute to the evaluation of project management tools and such collaboration provides greater weight to the selection of one tool over another. The modified QUOTA scorecard has practical application in the evaluation of cloud-based project management tools as project managers, educational technologists, and instructors can use the scorecard in the context of their role in various projects.
QUOTA is an acronym for Quality, Usability, Operations, Task, and Administration. Each heading consists of multiple sub-headings, these sub-headings are rated numerically on a scale from 1 to 5. A score of 5 represents the highest standard of effectiveness, whereas, a score of 1 represents a bare minimum of effectiveness. The sub-heading scores are averaged out to give an aggregate score from 1 to 5 in each of the five headings. The score of each of the five headings is then averaged-out to a cumulative score ranging from 1 to 5. Cloud-based project management tools scoring closer to 5 on the QUOTA scorecard represent highly effective tools. The overall QUOTA rating will increase or decrease as more users evaluate each tool.
The following article takes a deep dive into five cloud-based project management tools; each tool is presented as a card in the tabs below. On the left side of the card, there will be a link to the products website and two videos: the first video is an overview or introduction to the tool and the second video is an example of how one can use the tool in practice. On the right side of the card, there will be an overall QUOTA rating and a breakdown of pros and cons from different sources. At the bottom of each card, there is a more in-depth analysis of each tool as it relates to project management. Below the card deck, visitors can contribute individual ratings of each of the five tools through the embedded Google Form. Be sure to scroll up after submitting an initial evaluation to submit additional evaluations of other project management tools.
References
Wiley, D., et al. (2016). Project management for instructional designers. Pressbooks.com. Retrieved from http://pm4id.org/.
Project managers have access to a plethora of cloud-based technology tools and software products that can assist in keeping projects and people on task. Organizing line items, coordinating responsibilities, and producing projects through email alone is a dated approach to project management. With the growing number of project management tools, it is important to evaluate tools objectively for overall fit, purpose, and potential effectiveness. The QUOTA scorecard was initially conceptualized as a way to assess the effectiveness of digital tools for teaching in online courses and was modified to assess project management tools for the purposes of this article.
Technology adoption rarely occurs in a bubble and it is important to implement a mechanism that gives multiple stakeholders voice in the selection of such technology, including clients. Wiley et al. (2016) suggested that project management software use is justified due to the complexity of projects, tasks, and people involved. By transitioning the scorecard to a survey-based Google Form, many users can contribute to the evaluation of project management tools and such collaboration provides greater weight to the selection of one tool over another. The modified QUOTA scorecard has practical application in the evaluation of cloud-based project management tools as project managers, educational technologists, and instructors can use the scorecard in the context of their role in various projects.
QUOTA is an acronym for Quality, Usability, Operations, Task, and Administration. Each heading consists of multiple sub-headings, these sub-headings are rated numerically on a scale from 1 to 5. A score of 5 represents the highest standard of effectiveness, whereas, a score of 1 represents a bare minimum of effectiveness. The sub-heading scores are averaged out to give an aggregate score from 1 to 5 in each of the five headings. The score of each of the five headings is then averaged-out to a cumulative score ranging from 1 to 5. Cloud-based project management tools scoring closer to 5 on the QUOTA scorecard represent highly effective tools. The overall QUOTA rating will increase or decrease as more users evaluate each tool.
The following article takes a deep dive into five cloud-based project management tools; each tool is presented as a card in the tabs below. On the left side of the card, there will be a link to the products website and two videos: the first video is an overview or introduction to the tool and the second video is an example of how one can use the tool in practice. On the right side of the card, there will be an overall QUOTA rating and a breakdown of pros and cons from different sources. At the bottom of each card, there is a more in-depth analysis of each tool as it relates to project management. Below the card deck, visitors can contribute individual ratings of each of the five tools through the embedded Google Form. Be sure to scroll up after submitting an initial evaluation to submit additional evaluations of other project management tools.
References
Wiley, D., et al. (2016). Project management for instructional designers. Pressbooks.com. Retrieved from http://pm4id.org/.
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QUOTA Rating: 3.88
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PROS
M. Kulakov (2017, April 21). 14 Best Project Management Tools — Pros and Cons [web log comment]. Retrieved from https://everhour.com/blog/14-best-project-management-tools/ |
Summary
Basecamp is designed for small to mid-size teams or departments within an organization. While the product includes a free trial, users are unable to access a free version of the tool. The $99/month subscription requires teams of at least 16 members on average to compete with the other competitor products in this card deck (Capterra, 2019). The pricing model attempts to attract unlimited users as the main selling point, however, the interface could be consider overly simplified to justify the associated cost. Basecamp lacks some important features including the ability to generate reports or track time on task. On the plus side, Basecamp does function across all devices and the notification system included allows users to receive email updates of daily activity and pertinent messages. Within the notification emails, users are easily directed to the Basecamp dashboard through the click of a hyperlink pointing directly to the related activity.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Basecamp [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/56808/Basecamp/
Basecamp is designed for small to mid-size teams or departments within an organization. While the product includes a free trial, users are unable to access a free version of the tool. The $99/month subscription requires teams of at least 16 members on average to compete with the other competitor products in this card deck (Capterra, 2019). The pricing model attempts to attract unlimited users as the main selling point, however, the interface could be consider overly simplified to justify the associated cost. Basecamp lacks some important features including the ability to generate reports or track time on task. On the plus side, Basecamp does function across all devices and the notification system included allows users to receive email updates of daily activity and pertinent messages. Within the notification emails, users are easily directed to the Basecamp dashboard through the click of a hyperlink pointing directly to the related activity.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Basecamp [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/56808/Basecamp/
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QUOTA Rating: 4.55
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PROS
M. Kulakov (2017, April 21). 14 Best Project Management Tools — Pros and Cons [web log comment]. Retrieved from https://everhour.com/blog/14-best-project-management-tools/ |
Summary
Wrike is designed for large project teams working on multiple projects simultaneously. One of the more notable features of this tool is the ability for users to access a free version of the tool without paying for a subscription. Compared to the other tools in this card deck, Wrike is the most expensive tool at $9.80/month/user (Capterra, 2019). However, project teams of less than ten people may reap the benefits of built-in Gantt charts for less cost than unlimited users of Basecamp. Wrike has numerous features including the ability to track time on task, budget management, and reporting. The downside of this tool is the upfront time investment users will need to fully embrace and adopt the tool in everyday work.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Wrike [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/
Wrike is designed for large project teams working on multiple projects simultaneously. One of the more notable features of this tool is the ability for users to access a free version of the tool without paying for a subscription. Compared to the other tools in this card deck, Wrike is the most expensive tool at $9.80/month/user (Capterra, 2019). However, project teams of less than ten people may reap the benefits of built-in Gantt charts for less cost than unlimited users of Basecamp. Wrike has numerous features including the ability to track time on task, budget management, and reporting. The downside of this tool is the upfront time investment users will need to fully embrace and adopt the tool in everyday work.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Wrike [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/76113/Wrike/
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QUOTA Rating: 3.48
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PROS
S. Paul (2019, January 19). Aha! review: "Excellent tool for small companies!" [web log comment]. Retrieved from https://www.trustradius.com/products/aha/reviews |
Summary
Aha! is ultimately designed for marketing programs, however, there are many practical applications of this project management software to educational technology initiatives, academic programs, or website promotions. Users are able to receive a free 30-day trail of Aha! but will have to sign-up and request more information before learning about the overall cost of the product (Capterra, 2019). Users are unable to access a free version of this tool and the tool is only accessible through the cloud and on mobile devices. On the plus side, Aha! includes Gantt charts and idea management, but lacks time on task reporting and template customization.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Aha! [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/144020/Aha/
Aha! is ultimately designed for marketing programs, however, there are many practical applications of this project management software to educational technology initiatives, academic programs, or website promotions. Users are able to receive a free 30-day trail of Aha! but will have to sign-up and request more information before learning about the overall cost of the product (Capterra, 2019). Users are unable to access a free version of this tool and the tool is only accessible through the cloud and on mobile devices. On the plus side, Aha! includes Gantt charts and idea management, but lacks time on task reporting and template customization.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Aha! [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/144020/Aha/
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QUOTA Rating: 4.22
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PROS
P. Bhatt (2018, July 26). Nifty project management reviews {web log comment]. Retrieved from https://www.producthunt.com/posts/nifty-project-management/reviews |
Summary
Nifty is designed for mid-sized to large product teams and includes both a free trial and free version of the cloud-based project management tool. The software is accessible across all devices, however, users have reported technical difficulties when first adopting the tool. Nifty is priced just above GanttPRO and just below Wrike at $8.00/month/user (Capterra, 2019). Nifty includes idea management and template customization, but falls short on task reporting and budget management. Small teams of less than ten people may be able to reap the benefits of built-in Gantt charts, discussion/chat widgets, and a robust set of features for less than the monthly cost of Basecamp. Further, the free version may allow some product exploration at no cost. Wrike is the only other project management tool in this card deck with comparatively similar functionality. Users may get everything they need for less cost when opting to use Nifty as a cloud-based project management tool.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Nifty [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/172519/Nifty/
Nifty is designed for mid-sized to large product teams and includes both a free trial and free version of the cloud-based project management tool. The software is accessible across all devices, however, users have reported technical difficulties when first adopting the tool. Nifty is priced just above GanttPRO and just below Wrike at $8.00/month/user (Capterra, 2019). Nifty includes idea management and template customization, but falls short on task reporting and budget management. Small teams of less than ten people may be able to reap the benefits of built-in Gantt charts, discussion/chat widgets, and a robust set of features for less than the monthly cost of Basecamp. Further, the free version may allow some product exploration at no cost. Wrike is the only other project management tool in this card deck with comparatively similar functionality. Users may get everything they need for less cost when opting to use Nifty as a cloud-based project management tool.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: Nifty [product review]. Retrieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/172519/Nifty/
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QUOTA Rating: 2.68
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PROS
C. Chong (2019, February 13). GanttPRO review: "Useful and simple for students" [web log comment]. Retrieved from https://www.trustradius.com/products/ganttpro/reviews/pros-and-cons |
Summary
GanttPRO is designed for smaller project teams and has improved communication functionality compared to email. Of the five tools within this card deck, GanttPRO is the most modestly priced software solution at $5.90/month/user (Capterra, 2019). The tool includes a free trial but lacks a free version and users will only be able to access the tool through the cloud; GanttPRO is not accessible on mobile devices. Users can enjoy robust visualization of project progress, time on task reporting, template customization, and linking tasks to sub-tasks. However, the product will require a significant upfront time investment for users to fully grasp the tool functionality. Moreover, once users are up-to-speed, there are limited features and less advanced technology integrations compared to other project management solutions in this card deck. In some ways, the pricing model is an accurate reflection of how GanttPRO places project management just above email.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: GanttPRO [product review]. Retreieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/142293/GanttPRO/
GanttPRO is designed for smaller project teams and has improved communication functionality compared to email. Of the five tools within this card deck, GanttPRO is the most modestly priced software solution at $5.90/month/user (Capterra, 2019). The tool includes a free trial but lacks a free version and users will only be able to access the tool through the cloud; GanttPRO is not accessible on mobile devices. Users can enjoy robust visualization of project progress, time on task reporting, template customization, and linking tasks to sub-tasks. However, the product will require a significant upfront time investment for users to fully grasp the tool functionality. Moreover, once users are up-to-speed, there are limited features and less advanced technology integrations compared to other project management solutions in this card deck. In some ways, the pricing model is an accurate reflection of how GanttPRO places project management just above email.
References
Capterra (2019, February 26). Project management software: GanttPRO [product review]. Retreieved from https://www.capterra.com/p/142293/GanttPRO/
