11 Best workload management tools in 2024

Best Workload Management Tools

Introduction

Looking for the right tool to manage your workload effectively? We’ve got you covered. Our list of the best workload management tools will help you select the one that meets your needs.

Workload is a major issue affecting employees’ mental health and well-being, as highlighted in a report by McKinsey. The report reveals that employees often feel overburdened by an unreasonable workload, a lack of autonomy, social support, and fair treatment.

To manage your workload efficiently, you need the right tool – Workload management tool.

I’ve carefully analyzed the most popular team workload management tools on the market, evaluating them based on key features like capacity planning, task prioritization, team collaboration, time management, and resource allocation.

By the end of this article, you’ll not only have an understanding of what workload management is but also a rundown of the top 11 powerful tools and tips for effective workload management in the workplace. 

let’s dive in.

What is workload management?

Workload management refers to the process of managing and distributing tasks and responsibilities among individuals or teams to ensure that work is completed efficiently and effectively within the available time and resources. The goal of workload management is to balance the workload of each individual or team member, so they are not overloaded with tasks that are beyond their capacity or underutilized with too few responsibilities. 

Effective workload management involves proper planning, delegation, monitoring, and prioritization of tasks to achieve the desired results. Investing in a reliable workload management tool can be a real lifesaver to ensure the even distribution and planning of resources.

What are workload management tools?

Workload management tools assist managers and other people in leadership roles to effectively distribute and manage tasks among their teams. I feel that such tools help simplify the task allocation and progress tracking process.

Workload planning tools offer multiple task views as well as built-in collaboration features that help in the quick and effective balancing of workloads in teams.

11 Best tools for managing workload effectively

1. ProofHub

ProofHub as a workload management tool for team

ProofHub is the ultimate all-in-one project management and team collaboration software that simplifies workload management for teams of any size. It centralizes work in one place, streamlines work processes, improves team communication, and eliminates context switching. 

ProofHub helps teams avoid common pitfalls of poor workload management such as missed deadlines, poor communication, and project scope creep. It keeps teams aligned, and focused on the right priorities, resulting in higher-quality work and better outcomes. ProofHub is an ideal tool for businesses looking to streamline workflows, reduce stress and errors, and increase productivity.

Key Features 

  1. Assign, track & set task deadlines- all in one place

With ProofHub, managing your tasks and projects has been easier! 

You can assign, track, and set task deadlines, all in one place! ProofHub offers different task views such as the board view, Gantt view, and calendar view to help you get a complete picture of your tasks and projects. Plus, recurring tasks can be easily automated with workflows to save you time and ensure projects are completed efficiently. You can even assign tasks to multiple team members at once, which reduces the risk of delays or miscommunications. 

  1. Communicate and collaborate effectively

Say goodbye to communication gaps and hello to seamless team collaboration with ProofHub.

Communicate and collaborate effectively with ProofHub chat feature

Are you struggling to keep your team on track and connected? By streamlining communication, assigning tasks clearly, enabling efficient collaboration, and boosting productivity, ProofHub can help you achieve your goals faster and with less stress. 

With Chat, you can have real-time conversations with team members and use group chat to share important updates and information quickly. Facilitate collaboration between team members with Discussions, where you can invite them to join projects and assign specific roles and responsibilities. Create discussion threads around specific topics, and team members can easily comment and reply to these threads. With these robust collaboration and communication tools, you can ensure that your team is working efficiently and effectively.

NOTE: Use the announcements feature to make a public announcement of achievements and accomplishments by team members. This will act as immediate recognition for any small achievement. From my personal experience, how small recognitions and verbal appreciation made publicly have a deep impact on the performance of the team. Motivation boosts the morale of your team and they will perform even better. 

  1. Eliminate time-consuming activities

Forget the fear of missing deadlines and start planning effectively. Delegate tasks among your team with confidence, and monitor progress with ease. 

  • Assign tasks confidently

ProofHub provides you with powerful workload management tools that will help you complete tasks based on priority. You can delegate or distribute tasks to different team members anytime during the task. You can also, prioritize tasks on the basis of urgency and importance.

  • Time Tracking 

Now, have control over the time your team members are spending on various tasks with the built-in time tracking feature. Identify tasks that are causing delays, and make necessary changes in task flow for getting the project back on track. 

ProofHub time tracking feature

This can help you identify areas where the team is struggling, allowing you to proactively address any issues and adjust the project plan as needed. 

You can track time spent by your team members using the timer, there is also an option to add manual hours. ProofHub helps in compiling all these data and exporting the timesheets for quick analysis and further actions. In fact, the list just continues endlessly with features like time entries, private timesheets, logged hours, filters for quick search and analysis, and setting estimates. 

  • Avoid delays and missing deadlines

ProofHub provides you with multiple task views. You get a complete bird’s eye view so you can easily identify tasks that may get delayed. Once you identify the loophole, you can quickly rectify it. Resource allocation eases you in this process of assigning tasks and modifying responsibilities to team members on their availability, skills, and workload.

For a better understanding of Resource Management, and its features refer to the next section. 

  1. Allocate resources efficiently & avoid burnout

Finding it hard to cope with assigning and allocating tasks, use the custom workflows available in ProofHub. Protect your team members from burnout by utilizing the available resources effectively. 

ProofHub provides a resource management feature that allows teams to see who is available and when. This helps in avoiding delays by ensuring that tasks are assigned to team members who have the time and resources to complete them.

  • Ensure timely completion of tasks

The custom workflow feature allows you to effectively delegate, track, and manage tasks as per the individual requirements of your team. Also,  maintaining clear communication with team members helps to ensure that projects are completed on time and to the highest possible standard.

  • Identify potential roadblocks

You get complete control over the workflow that enables efficient monitoring of the progress of ongoing tasks thereby helping to identify potential roadblocks and resulting adjustments in the allocation of resources

Identify potential roadblocks wiht ProofHub gantt chart feature

By effectively managing resource allocation, a manager can ensure that tasks are completed on time and within budget while maintaining a productive and motivated team.

  • Work-life balance 

Unorganized and poor workload management may have an adverse impact on the performance of your team. ProofHub helps you to maintain an effective balance between the work and personal life of your team members and prevent them from getting burnout. Through the advanced reminder and notification features, you will never miss any deadline. In fact, you will see your team members complete all tasks before the due date. 

  1. Centralized document management  

Gone are the days when you need to search multiple locations for a single file. You no longer need to switch between multiple applications or save multiple files numerous times. Thanks to centralized document management, you get numerous wonderful features. 

  • Do away with searching multiple locations

ProofHub helps you organize and quickly access all your files on the centralized platform. This makes it quick and easy for your team to quickly look up necessary files, without the need for switching between multiple applications. The search option is enhanced and powerful enough to help you find the necessary files instantly. 

  • Do away with switching applications for send/receive files 

Send files as attachments in chats, upload them to discussion channels, and start a conversation, online proofing. Whatever your need be, do it right here on the tool. Forget the need to save multiple versions of the same file.

ProofHub discussion feature

Pros

  • Simple user-friendly interface with an easy onboarding process. 
  • Excellent customer support that solves all your issues immediately. 
  • You get ultimate control – they can assign roles, and determine who can access various features of the tool. 
  • Flat pricing allows you to add as many users as you want without burning a hole in your pocket. 
  • Quickly share files, collaborate, and communicate with your team without the need to switch multiple applications. 

Cons

  • Optimizing notifications for a better-streamlined flow of information to the users. 
  • Invoicing options for billing and logged time require external integrations. 

Pricing

ProofHub offers you a flat pricing feature! This means you can add as many users as you want. Sign up for the 14-day free trial that offers you all the features. You can choose from two options – Essential and Ultimate control

  • Smaller teams or teams with a tight budget can choose the essential plan that will cost $45 per month (billed annually) with unlimited users
  • Ultimate control is for large teams that cost $89 per month (billed annually) with unlimited users.  

The standout feature of ProofHub’s pricing model is that it allows you to add as many team members as you want without incurring extra costs.

Review

G2: 4.5 of 5

Capterra: 4.6 of 5

Tired of juggling multiple tasks? See how ProofHub can simplify workload management without making work hectic.

2. Trello

Trello as a workload management tool

We are placing Trello in second place because of its intuitive task management capabilities and visual boards. With Trello, you can easily create task cards, add checklists, deadlines, and attachments, and track the progress of each task in real time.

Trello is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for smaller teams or projects. However, for more complex projects that require more advanced features, Trello may not be the most suitable option.

Key Features

  • Availability of powerful powerup options for personalization – (however these power-ups require additional charges)
  • Workflow customization for fulfilling the individual needs of the team. 
  • Offers a wide range of collaboration tools, including comments, document sharing, @mentions

Pros

  • Has an intuitive visual interface, that is simple and easy to use. 
  • The customization option helps in organizing and prioritizing tasks as per the individual requirements of the team. 
  • Flexible and customizable Kanban boards

Cons

  • Large teams with complex projects will find it difficult to use Trello, because of the lack of detailed or advanced features. 
  • Doesn’t offer a Gantt chart
  • Over-reliance on kanban boards may not suit all project managers

Pricing

Trello offers 4 different plans.

  • You can very well benefit from the free plan if you are an individual who wants to sort out your tasks. 
  • The standard plan costs $5 per user per month. This is suitable for small teams. 
  • Large teams can choose the premium plan that costs $10 per user per month. 
  • The enterprise plan starts from $17.50 per user per month for a team of about 500 members. Contact their sales team for specific pricing. 

Review

G2: 4.4 of 5

Capterra: 4.6 of 5

3. Asana

Asana as a workload management tool

At third comes Asana, the tool that is best suited for small teams and individuals. The free version provides users with a basic dashboard that helps in organizing individual tasks. Asana can adapt itself to meet the exact requirements of your team. Asana’s advanced task management features make it a top choice for keeping your workload under control. 

However, it may take some time and effort to master all the features and optimize your workflows before you can unlock the full potential of Asana.  

Key Features

  • Quickly visualize project deadlines and dependencies with a simple and understandable way.  
  • Set up automated workflows for repetitive tasks. 
  • Get feedback and track live progress on tasks. 

Pros 

  • Customized dashboard helps find features easily  
  • Offer agile and scrum support 
  • Facilitate multi-departmental collaboration

Cons 

  • Highly expensive especially for large teams, because of the per-user charge. 
  • Not suitable for teams with complex and customized project management needs. 
  • Can’t assign tasks to multiple team members 

Pricing

Asana offers 3 different plans. Costs are per user.

  • Asana offers a free-forever plan for a team of 15 members or less. 
  • The Premium plan starts at $10.99 per user per month
  • The Business plan starts at $24.99 per user per month. Because of the per-user fee, large teams will incur huge expenditures. 

Review

G2: 4.3 of 5

Capterra: 4.5 of 5

4. Monday.com

Mondary.com as a workload planning tool

Monday.com offers you powerful features for task automation. It’s particularly adept at helping you stay on top of leads, enabling you to set up your own help desk and facilitating cross-team collaborations. Plus, all communications related to a project or lead can be tracked directly within the software, so everyone stays in the loop.

However, it’s worth noting that Monday.com is not a plug-and-play solution, investing time into mastering its capabilities can pay off in the form of streamlined workflows.

Key Features

Pros

  • Built-in reporting tool for analytics
  • Attractive visual interface
  • Effective accountability and transparency

Cons

  • The time tracking feature is not highly effective
  • Not suitable for large teams
  • No 14-day trial plan

Pricing 

Monday.com offers different plans.

  • Monday.com offers a free plan forever up to 2 seats
  • The basic plan starts from $9 per user per month
  • The pro plan starts from $ 19 per user per month.
  • There is also a standard plan that costs $12 per user per month.

The prices are slightly on the higher side for a tool that focuses mostly on repetitive workflow management. 

Review

G2: 4.7 of 5

Capterra: 4.6 of 5

5. Jira

JIRA as a workload planning tool

If you are looking for software with unmatched competition in time-tracking and advanced task management, you should select Jira. It provides a comprehensive platform for organizing leads and collaborating across teams. Additionally, Jira enables you to track all communications related to a project within the software, ensuring that everyone stays informed.

However, Jira can be quite complex and may require some time and effort to learn how to use it effectively. It’s not a simple one-word solution, so be prepared to invest some effort to master the software and get the most out of it.

Key Features

  • Keep all your communication inside the platform
  • Custom workflows for ease in tracking multiple projects
  • Has powerful features for Agile teams

Pros

  • Integrates with a large number of tools and other software
  • Generates automated project reports, and team performance 
  • Create and assign tasks as per the project lifecycle
  • Users get full visibility of tasks through the JIRA Kanban board

Cons

  • Customer support is slow to respond
  • The steep learning curve, with some users taking a long time to get used to the tool
  • Timeline views and Gantt chart are not available

Pricing

Jira offers different plans.

  • Jira offers a free plan for up to 10 users.
  • The standard plan starts from $8.15 per user per month,
  • While the premium plan starts from $16 per user per month. 

Review

G2: 4.3 of 5

Capterra: 4.5 of 5

6. Wrike

Wrike as a workload planning tool

We’ve found Wrike to be an invaluable tool for managing both personal and professional projects. With its intuitive charts and customizable workflows, Wrike makes it easy to manage even the most complex projects with ease. In addition, its custom templates can save you hours, and its collaboration features make working with colleagues and clients a breeze. 

But you have to keep in mind that some users have reported that the learning curve for Wrike’s more advanced features can be steep, which may pose a challenge for less experienced project managers.

Key features

  • Visual timelines in the form of Gantt charts
  • Convert your strategies into actionable plans
  • Keep your clients up-to-date with automatic regular updates. 

Pros

Cons

  • There is a scope for improvement in the user interface
  • The calendar view is quite complicated to use
  • The time tracker is available only for business plans and above. Gantt chart view is also only available in paid plans. 

Pricing

  • There is a free version for individual users
  • The team plan starts from $9.80 per month
  • The business plans start at $24.80 per user per month. 

Review

G2: 4.2 of 5

Capterra: 4.3 of 5

7. ClickUp

ClickUp as a workload planning tool

Did you expect to see ClickUp at the lower half of the ranking table? Although there is so much hype around the tool, we found that the learning curve is too steep. You can manage your projects and keep track of your leads in a single platform but those features are restricted only to the premium plan. 

This software allows you to collaborate with other teams, and all conversations and communication can be easily tracked within the app. However, your team will require some time and effort to learn how to use ClickUp effectively leading to a loss in man-hours. 

Key Features

  • Customize workflow as per stages
  • Time estimates for task scheduling
  • Ultimate control for managers to define user roles

Pros

  • The design of the platform is rich and user-friendly
  • Customer support is quick to respond
  • Integrations are available with a number of other tools and software – however, additional charges may be incurred

Cons

  • The mobile app does not support all views
  • The learning curve for new users is steep
  • The project message board is not available

Pricing

  • ClickUp is famous for its free forever plan which is suitable for individuals or very small teams.
  • The basic plan starts from $7 per user per month.
  • The business plan starts from $12 per user per month. 

Review

G2: 4.7 of 5

Capterra: 4.7 of 5

8. nTask

nTask as a best workload management tool

nTask allows you to efficiently manage your tasks, prioritize them, and keep track of your time spent on each activity. All communications are tracked within the software, providing transparency and clarity to everyone involved in a project or task.

It may take some time and effort to learn the ins and outs of the software, but once you do, you will be able to use it effectively to manage your workload and achieve your goals.

Key Features

  • Issue tracking and risk management
  • Timesheets and time tracking 
  • Meeting management

Pros

  • Quick onboarding
  • Gantt charts are easy to use
  • User interface is highly appealing

Cons

  • Work reporting is not available
  • There is no Kanaban board view
  • Very limited customization options

Pricing

  • The premium plan starts from $3 per user per month. 
  • The business plan starts from $8 per user per month.

Review

G2: 4.4 of 5

Capterra: 4.2 of 5

9. Slack

Slack as a best workload planning tool

Slack is a one-stop solution for collaboration with your team, and keeping track of all your project communications in one place. Using this tool offers the most powerful communication features for your team. 

However, one of the challenges of using Slack is that you will need to have multiple integrations. This may result in an increase in the overall subscription charges. 

Key Features

  • Eliminates the need for multiple inboxes, and multiple communication channels
  • Integrates with a wide range of collaboration and office tools 
  • It enables real-time sharing of documents and files with others

Pros

  • The robust feature allows you to search for old messages quickly. 
  • Integration options are available for more than 100 tools.
  • Highly customizable platform 

Cons

  • The prices are quite expensive
  • Audio and video calls take a long time before actually connecting.
  • Not an exclusive solution for project management

Pricing

  • The free option is available for limited users with limited functionalities. This is suitable for basic communications.
  • Other plans start from $7.25 per user per month. 

Review

G2: 4.5 of 5

Capterra: 4.7 of 5

10. TogglPlan

TogglePlan as a best workload management tool

With Toggl Plan, you get the ability to set up your own customized workflow and manage cross-team collaborations seamlessly.  With all communications tracked directly in the software, everyone can stay updated on project progress and lead status in real time.

TogglPlan, however, is not suitable for large teams with complex project workflow. With an interactive and simple user interface, there are needs for several improvements in order to make it really convenient for teams. 

Key Features

  • Real-time collaboration with live notifications to keep everyone on the same page. 
  • Suitable for teams that require unique workflows. 
  • Enables teams to create collaborative reports including progress tracking, profitability projections, ROI, and milestone tracking

Pros

  • Integration with multiple applications for a quick and easy workflow process
  • Has a very simple user interface, for easy and quick onboarding
  • Built-in time tracking for quickly monitoring time spent on various tasks. 

Cons

  • Has limited functionalities, thereby not suitable for larger teams.
  • Mobile application is not robust, therefore, not suitable for teams and members working on the go. 
  • You cannot see which member is working on which task

Pricing

  • The basic plan starts at $8 per user per month
  • The business plan starts at $13.35 per user per month. 

The business plan is slightly on the higher side considering the limited functionalities you get. 

Review

G2: 4.3 of 5

Capterra: 4.6 of 5

11. Bitrix24

Bitrix24 as a best workload management tool

Bitrix24 excels at managing leads and keeping you on top of your workload. All communications can be tracked directly in the software, so everyone knows exactly what’s happening on a project or lead at any given time.

On the downside, Bitrix24 can be challenging to use due to its complexities and it’s not as easy as plug-and-play. You may need to invest some time and effort into learning how to use it effectively to get the most out of the software. 

Key Features

  • Manage clients as well as sales right on the platform
  • Track working hours and manage employee engagement
  • The integrated platform which includes sales, marketing, and HR eliminates the need for separate integrations

Pros

  • Improves productivity through time tracking and centralized document management. 
  • Customize workflows and automated processes that save time.
  • Simple onboarding process with non-technical persons getting a fast grasp. 

Cons

  • Limited integrations may pose an issue if your organization is used to a specific tool
  • The pricing is subscription-based, and charges are separate for different features. 
  • Very basic and limited communications.

Pricing

The pricing is a little tricky here. 

  • The basic plan costs $49 per month for up to 5 users.
  • The standard plan costs $99 per month for up to 50 users.
  • The professional plan costs $199 per month for unlimited users. 

For a tool that specializes in billing and custom workflows, the costs are a little pricey. 

Review

G2: 4.1 of 5

Capterra: 4.1 of 5

Workload management tools – top features to look for 

Let’s come to the next question – What defines the qualities/ features of team workload management tools? 

Not all workload management tools can fit perfectly for your team. You need to understand which tool will work best for your team. 

Your team does not require all the features available in the market. Extra features are also a form of burden. My experience here would suggest you keep the learning curve of your team as simple as possible. 

How we picked up these workload management tools?

To provide a better value to this review, we have put the factors that will further simplify and help you in selecting a tool for your team. This would help you come to a better conclusion because choosing the right tool is equivalent to winning half the battle. 

  1. Task and project management capabilities

Ability to create, assign, prioritize, and monitor tasks effectively, as well as manage workflows, milestones, and timelines of projects. You need to select a tool that offers you complete control over the workflow. 

  1. Time tracking 

Accurate tracking of time spent by individual members on various tasks and projects. This is especially useful in the case of client billing and logging activities. You need to select a tool that provides you with the ability to authentically collect and analyze the workload on your team. 

  1. Collaboration and communication tools

Powerful, effective, and quick communication for keeping the team members on the same page. Discussions, sharing files, and notes for the effective working of the team. You need to select a tool that offers real-time communication and quick collaboration if you want your team members to be on the same page. 

  1. Reporting and analytics capabilities

Measure the quantity of work done and generate work reports for time spent on various tasks and the man hours put in by the team members. You need to select a tool that helps you in preparing work and load management reports for your team. 

  1. Customization options

Customizing the tool as per user requirements, and preferences in terms of both projects as well as workspaces. You need to select a tool that will offer you options to customize workspaces, and workflow as per the requirements of your team. The tool should be easily customizable to avoid time spent manually editing and organizing.

  1. User-friendliness 

Must be easy to use, with a very low learning curve. The onboarding process and customer support should be simple. You need to select a tool that is easy for your team. You do not want to add the burden of learning how to use the tool to the already existing load of your team members. 

  1. Pricing and value for money

Last but not least do not forget how deep a hole this tool will burn into your pocket. Again, make a comparative analysis of the features you need and the cost. Remember to choose the tool that offers you the features your team wants at the most effective price.

ProofHub: Powerful tool for managing workload

Selecting the appropriate workload management tool can prove to be a game-changer for both you and your team. Out of all the available options, ProofHub stands out as a top-notch project management software and collaboration tool that sets a high standard for efficient workload planning. Its user-friendly features simplify task management and help you accomplish your objectives with ease.

Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, ProofHub has something to offer. Its intuitive design and powerful project management tools make it easy to manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate with team members in real-time. Plus, by centralizing all of your work in one place, ProofHub helps you stay organized and focused on what matters most, reducing stress and errors and increasing productivity within your workspace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having the right workload management tool is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and productivity of your team and achieving the organizational goals. Among the many options available, ProofHub stands out for its variety of features, user-friendly interface, and value for money. From project management to seamless collaboration and a flat pricing model makes it a compelling choice for teams of all sizes. It serves as a comprehensive workload management system, helping streamline workflows and boost productivity.

Take control of your workload like never before with a free trial of ProofHub today!

Say goodbye to chaos and hello to efficiency with ProofHub.

FAQs: 

What is the best way to manage the workload?

The best way to manage workload is to prioritize tasks, set realistic deadlines, delegate responsibilities, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What are the 5 steps of proper workload management?

  • Define tasks and prioritize
  • Set achievable goals and deadlines
  • Allocate resources
  • Monitor progress
  • Adjust workload as needed.

Is managing workload a skill?

Yes, managing workload is a skill that involves prioritizing tasks, planning, and organizing resources to achieve goals efficiently and effectively.

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