Workload Management Made Easy
Does your business rely on various teams of employees? Use top workload management tools to keep your teams on track and working efficiently.
A major aspect of business management is keeping employees on task. As a business owner or manager, you may need employees to work efficiently on an individual basis. However, you may also have team efforts to coordinate. When those team efforts are complex or require large groups of employees to work together, managing tasks is potentially difficult. You must find ways to keep all team members busy without overloading them or causing them to miss deadlines.
Keeping teams on track can include keeping morale up. It may also encompass tasks like ensuring all team members get along with each other. It also includes managing workloads for maximum efficiency. However, managing workloads manually is rarely easy. If projects are large and intricate, it might be impossible. In such situations, it is important to have top workload management tools at your disposal. Use the information below to locate the workload management tools you need to keep your teams on track.
What is Workload Management?
Workload management is a process of managing task distribution. Managing a workload means determining which team members need to perform certain tasks. The purpose is to make sure no team member is overwhelmed with too many tasks at once. By evening out the workload, a team manager can keep team members from getting overwhelmed or off schedule.
Workload management can also encompass other goals and actions. The primary purpose of it is to meet project deadlines. Therefore, anything that helps teams meet those deadlines is considered part of the process. An example is managing not just tasks, but also team member attitudes. Keeping morale high keeps productivity levels up.
What Do Workload Management Tools Do?
Workload management tools can help project managers in various ways. All workload management software is slightly different. Searching for the most beneficial features when selecting software tools is essential. All workload management tools typically incorporate features focused on allowing easy collaboration between team members. However, the ways in which they accomplish that goal frequently vary. Common workload management tool features to look for include:
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Task Automation Capabilities
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App Integration Options
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App Syncing Features
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Time Tracking Options
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Easy Resource Allocation
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Various Ways to View and Analyze Team Progress
The constant ability to analyze project progress using workload management tools is essential. Project managers can use that information to make real-time adjustments, as needed. For example, managers might opt to reassign tasks, if certain employees are showing signs of taking on too much or too little. Project managers can also use workload management software to break large tasks down into smaller tasks, as needed.
What Are the Benefits of Workload Management Tools?
Workload management tools help businesses and teams in a variety of ways. The main benefit is the ability to complete projects on time or early. That can lead to boosted profits. A side benefit of completing projects efficiently is proper use of resources. That can include employee time, as well as physical materials used to complete projects. By avoiding wasted time and materials, businesses save money. Other common benefits of workload management tools include:
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Managers Improve Their Knowledge of Employee Skills and Weaknesses
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Team Members Work with More Transparency
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Team Morale Increases
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Problems with Projects Are Identified and Addressed Quickly
What Types of Companies Can Benefit from Workload Management Software?
Workload management software can help any company utilizing teams to complete projects. However, certain industries are more likely to need workload management than others. For example, any industry in which workloads include many intricate tasks can benefit from management using software tools. Those include construction and engineering industries.
Many government agencies also utilize workload management tools to ensure vital government procedures are handled efficiently. For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must provide several vital federal services to residents throughout the United States. One such vital service is provided through its Child Welfare Information Gateway. The federal Child Welfare Information gateway recommends workload management tools to Child Welfare agencies throughout the United States.
What Are Some Top Companies That Provide Workload Management Software?
Workload management tools are quite common. Choosing from all of the available options can seem like a daunting task. However, certain companies do stand out as providers of top workload management software. Some of them are as follows:
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Trello is a tool featuring Kanban boards. Kanban boards allow users to visually represent project tasks using columns, rows, or digital “cards” to display data. The design of Trello is best suited to smaller teams and projects. It also tasks automation options and plugins to allow integration of other tools.
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Monday is a platform that includes many different tools, including tools for workload management. Its workload management options include tools for initial project planning. The tools also allow constant status monitoring. Issue logs and resource allocation tools help team members coordinate, even from different physical locations.
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Asana is a project-focused tool that utilizes a combination of lists and Kanban boards to keep team members focused and organized. Easy workload views and project update tools allow managers to make quick changes, when necessary. Timeline displays also help managers track progress and make sure teams meet deadlines.
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Wrike offers easy project templates for quick setup. The company allows users to customize their experiences by selecting the tools they need. Available tools include custom request forms, dashboards, and workflow management options. Wrike also provides scalable tools for growing businesses.
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Teamwork includes task lists and team collaboration options designed for daily use. Its simple tools are meant for use by small teams seeking to set up workload management tools quickly. Time tracking and simple templates help project managers monitor and improve team progress.
How Much Does Workload Management Software Cost?
You may have concerns regarding the costs associated with workload management software. Each of the workload management tools above offers free membership options. Utilizing those options temporarily can help you assess software before investing money in upgraded membership. Paid memberships range from approximately $10 to $30 per user per month, in most instances. Several companies also offer custom Enterprise level memberships for large businesses, which require custom quotes. Among them are Monday, Wrike, and Teamwork. When choosing a tool, you must select the membership level that gives your team access to the most necessary tools while meeting the budget requirements of the company.