Alexis Kestler
Managing multiple clients and projects as a digital marketing agency can be extremely challenging without the right tools. From tracking billable hours to collaborating with team members and clients, there are many moving parts that need to come together for successful project delivery. This is where agency project management software comes in handy.
These software solutions are designed specifically for marketing and creative agencies to help streamline operations, improve efficiency and deliver great results for clients. In this comprehensive guide, we will look at the top 10 agency project management platforms to help your business operate more seamlessly.
Why Agencies Need Dedicated Project Management Software
Before jumping into the solutions, let‘s first understand why agencies need specialized software beyond traditional project management platforms.
Key Pain Points for Agencies
Some of the major pain points faced by digital and creative agencies include:
- Managing multiple clients, projects and teams simultaneously
- Tracking billable and non-billable time accurately
- Collaborating with team members spread across locations
- Gaining visibility into team workload and capacity
- Centralizing client communications and assets
- Delivering projects on time and within budget
- Generating reports for internal and client use
How Project Management Software Helps
Dedicated agency project management platforms help streamline operations in the following ways:
- Centralized view of all projects – Get a portfolio overview of all active and completed client projects in one place.
- Easy time tracking – Track billable and non-billable time at project, task and employee level for accurate invoicing.
- Improved collaboration – Chat, share files, co-edit documents and have discussions within the platform.
- Enhanced resource management – Manage team member skills, utilization rates, workload and schedules from one solution.
- Robust reporting – Create detailed reports on project progress, budgets, productivity etc. for stakeholders.
- Better client management – Give clients controlled access to view tasks, milestones, messages and assets.
- Central content repository – Store all project files, creative assets, briefs and invoices in one secure location.
This enables agencies to deliver projects on time, within scope and budget more consistently. Next, let‘s look at some of the top platforms purpose-built for marketing and creative agencies.
Top 10 Agency Project Management Platforms
Based on features, user reviews and market presence, here are the top 10 tools to consider for streamlining agency project management:
1. Workfront
Workfront is one of the most popular agency management platforms, trusted by leading firms globally. Key features include:
- Centralized dashboard to track projects, tasks, issues and schedules
- Timesheets to track billable and non-billable time
- Templates for statements of work and other documents
- Resource management with allocation and utilization reporting
- Workload balancing across teams and individuals
- Robust work automation using workflows
- Customizable reports and dashboards
- Built-in proofing and approvals capability
Workfront integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Dropbox, Google Workspace and Adobe Creative Cloud. It provides strong security, compliance and support options.
2. Mavenlink
Mavenlink is a leading professional services automation platform tailored for agencies. Key highlights:
- Unified workspace to manage resources, projects, clients and financials
- Custom role-based interfaces for employees, managers and clients
- Timesheets, expense tracking and invoicing
- Powerful resource planning and scheduling optimization
- Customizable dashboards with key metrics and reports
- Client collaboration via discussion threads and document sharing
- Detailed project analysis using custom tags and tracking
Mavenlink integrates seamlessly with Office 365, Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Slack, Box and more. It offers 24/7 customer support and training options.
3. Wrike
Wrike provides a robust yet intuitive solution for enterprise project management needs. Key features:
- Gantt charts for intuitive project planning and task management
- Dashboards to monitor team member workloads
- Custom workflows and automation to standardize processes
- Interactive reports and calendars to visualize data
- Real-time activity streams and project progress updates
- Built-in time tracking with automatic invoicing
- Asset management and approval workflows
- 150+ app integrations including Dropbox, G-Suite, Office 365 etc.
Wrike comes with enterprise-grade security and scalability. 24/7 support and extensive training resources available.
4. Asana
Asana is a popular project management solution for agencies of all sizes. Standout features:
- List and board project views to visualize work
- Conversations and comments for context
- Calendar and timeline views
- Custom fields and project templates
- Workload management and portfolio planning
- 100+ app integrations including Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive etc.
- Powerful search, reporting and dashboard capabilities
- Robust security and data protection
Asana comes with premium support options and an extensive library of templates, webinars and training guides.
5. monday.com
monday.com is a versatile work OS for agencies with features including:
- Customizable project views – calendar, timeline, Kanban and more
- Templates for statements of work, briefs and other documents
- Time tracking and invoicing capabilities
- Automated reporting on budgets, schedules and more
- File sharing and project collaboration features
- Intuitive mobile apps for iOS and Android
- 100+ integrations with HubSpot, Slack, Google Workspace etc.
monday.com offers tailored solutions for marketing, digital and IT agencies of all sizes.
6. Teamwork Projects
Teamwork Projects is designed for creative professionals to simplify agency workflows. Key highlights:
- Easy creation of projects, tasks and milestones
- Timesheets to track billable work
- Customizable client project dashboards
- File sharing, proofing tools and discussions
- Pre-built reports for utilization, budgets and more
- Intuitive mobile apps for on-the-go access
- Integrates with Teamwork CRM, Chat, Desk and other PM tools
Teamwork Projects comes with 24/7 customer support and training resources like webinars, guides and videos.
7. Smartsheet
Smartsheet offers a powerful spreadsheets-like project management experience. Key features:
- Familiar spreadsheet interface with enterprise PM capabilities
- Gantt charts, calendars and card views for tasks
- Automated workflows and reminders
- Time tracking and budget management
- Robust mobile experience across iOS, Android and Windows
- Instant real-time updates and notifications
- Powerful reporting and dashboards
- Flexible pricing for teams of all sizes
Smartsheet offers 24/7 support via chat and phone.
8. LiquidPlanner
LiquidPlanner is an intelligent project management solution. Highlights include:
- Dynamic scheduling engine to optimize task timelines
- Estimation of task durations based on team member workloads
- Auto-adjustment of schedules when changes occur
- Customizable dashboards and insightful reports
- Timesheets, expense tracking and invoicing
- Predictive forecasts of budgets and completion dates
- Collaboration via discussions and document sharing
LiquidPlanner uses AI to provide an automated scheduling experience catered to agencies.
9. Clarizen
Clarizen offers full-lifecycle project management tailored for professional services. Key highlights:
- Interactive Gantt charts for planning and scheduling
- Configurable workflows for task automation
- Customizable reports and dashboards
- Time and expense tracking
- Resource management with skills matrix and allocation
- Project costing and budget management
- API and SDK for custom integrations
Clarizen comes with an AI-powered assistant, Satisfi, to streamline work.
10. FunctionFox
FunctionFox provides an easy-to-use yet powerful solution for agencies. Key features:
- Contact management and centralized client portal
- Integrated project planning, task lists and Gantt charts
- Timesheets with timers to track billable hours
- Expense logging and billing/invoicing
- Customizable reports and interactive dashboards
- Real-time notifications and updates
- Native mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows
FunctionFox comes with free training courses and customer support plans.
Key Considerations for Picking Project Management Software
When evaluating agency project management platforms, keep the following criteria in mind:
Features – Look for tools that offer features tailored specifically for marketing/creative agencies such as interactive Gantt charts, customizable workflows and automation, centralized content repository, proofing capabilities etc.
Integrations – The software should integrate seamlessly with the other tools your teams use including Slack, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud etc.
Ease of use – Intuitive, easy-to-use interfaces can help drive team adoption. Look for simplified layouts, navigation and onboarding.
Reporting – Robust reporting functionality is key for creating shareable reports on budgets, timesheets, utilization rates etc. for stakeholders.
Security – Solutions should offer enterprise-grade security, access controls and data protection capabilities.
Support and training – Look for responsive customer support via multiple channels. Onboarding assistance and training resources are also vital.
Price – Solutions offer a range of plans tailored for different agency sizes and needs. Opt for value-based pricing.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can identify the right solution that aligns with your business goals, team needs and client expectations. The best software becomes an invaluable asset to unlock an agency‘s full potential.
