- Methodology to Choose the Best Project Cost Management Software
- What is Project Cost Management Software?
- Who Uses Project Cost Management Software?
- What Are the Five Features Offered by a Good Project Management Software?
- What Are the Benefits of Using Project Cost Management Software?
- How Much Does Project Management Software Cost?
- All Products
Here’s a rundown of the top 7 project cost management software based on core features, cost, and customization options.
1 Smartsheet - Best Overall
Why We Chose It: Smartsheet is our top project cost management software pick because of its advanced automation capabilities. These enable users to manage various operational facets, including a ticket system and budget tracking. Furthermore, by updating a single sheet, linking and VLOOKUP features can automate other sheets without even opening them. This capability not only streamlines processes but also minimizes human error, which is crucial for cost management.
Smartsheet’s real-time collaboration features aid comprehensive project visibility. This real-time sharing extends to both internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring that everyone involved in a project is updated and on the same page. The platform offers a centralized system for managing tasks, projects, and deadlines, ensuring everyone remains accountable. This centralized transparency ensures better project and cost oversight.
2 Monday.com - Most Versatile Option
Why We Chose It: Monday.com is our most versatile pick because it caters to numerous use cases and industries. For example, manufacturing teams can use it to track inventory and manage production schedules. Sales agents can manage leads and sales pipelines. And software developers can do code collaboration and bug tracking.
Monday.com offers a customizable platform for project cost management. Users can set up boards to monitor expenses, adding columns to compare budgeted, actual, and remaining costs. The software supports automated calculations and integrates with tools like Excel for data import and report generation. This ensures teams effectively manage their budgets and achieve their goals.
3 Project Insight - Best for Growing Companies
Why We Chose It: We found Project Insight good for growing companies because of its customization options. As companies expand, their needs change. Project Insight’s high customizability allows businesses to mold the software according to their evolving requirements. This adaptability ensures they aren’t stuck with a one-size-fits-all solution. With varied subscription packages, businesses can optimize their investment by paying only for the features they genuinely require, ensuring they aren’t overspending as they scale.
As businesses expand, decision-making becomes more complex. They may also face challenges with disparate systems. Project Insight’s integration with tools like MS Outlook, QuickBooks, Jira, Salesforce, and Zendesk offers a centralized hub for project and resource management.
4 Genius Project - Extensive Integrations
Why We Chose It: Genius Project provides broad integration capabilities with platforms like Microsoft Project, IBM Notes, Microsoft Outlook, SAP, and AP automation software. Whether deployed from the cloud or hosted on-premise, it offers user-friendly, modular accounting and business process solutions tailored for small to mid-sized custom manufacturers, covering the full engineering-to-cash cycle.
With its unified database, Genius Project caters to all company functions, features advanced planning tools, and manages intricate manufacturing processes. By utilizing its modules, organizations can enhance information-sharing across both large and small teams. Last, it integrates and synchronizes with MS Project plans.
5 mpower - Best for Construction and Engineering
Why We Chose It: We think mpower stands out for construction and engineering firms due to its precision in performance measurement. Mpower enables accurate project performance monitoring by allowing detailed time recording, managing costs, and optimizing expenditure. The software excels in budgeting, offering insights into project profitability by comparing budgets, actuals, and forecasts, and overseeing change requests and cost growth. Users can generate invoices and project valuations through a structured rate system encompassing timesheets, chargeable items, and fixed pricing.
6 Wrike - Best for Small Teams
Why We Chose It: Wrike is a dynamic project management software suited for smaller companies, marketing teams, agencies, and service providers. With diverse and sometimes rapidly-changing needs, small businesses benefit from its customizable workflows.
Wrike’s tiered pricing ensures that businesses can choose a plan that aligns with their budget, avoiding unnecessary expenses. Small organizations may not have the luxury of a dedicated training department. Regular training webinars offered by Wrike equip teams with the necessary knowledge, reducing the learning curve.
7 Contruent Enterprise - Best for Large Construction Projects
Why We Chose It: Contruent Enterprise is our top pick for large construction projects because it provides accurate cost and schedule management. The platform features advanced cost management and integrated scheduling. This precision boosts project deliverability and cost efficiency consistently.
Contruent also brings visibility into every project phase, from estimates to successful completion. This transparency ensures proactive change management and strict compliance, fostering better project control. Last, its scalability allows it to be tailored to individual projects while maintaining a macro view at the portfolio level.
Methodology to Choose the Best Project Cost Management Software
We’ve devised a clear methodology to recommend top project cost management software:
Key Features:
The first aspect we consider includes the core features of project cost management software:
- Cost Estimation: Flexibility in cost structure (fixed, variable, mixed costs) and support for various estimation techniques (analogous, parametric, bottom-up)
- Budgeting Capabilities: Option to set up budgets by project phase, task, or overall project; alerts and notifications for budget deviations
- Expense Tracking: Real-time monitoring of actual expenses vs. budget; reporting and visualization of expenses
- Forecasting: Predictive analytics to anticipate future costs; scenario analysis capabilities
- Reporting and analytics: Pre-built templates for financial reporting; dashboards and visualization tools
- Risk management: Tools to identify potential financial risks; mitigation strategies and tracking
Pricing:
Pricing factors influencing our rankings include:
- Number of Users and Projects: Some software may charge per user or per project; others may offer a flat rate for unlimited users and projects
- Licensing Model: Subscription-based, perpetual license, freemium, etc.
- Trial Options: Availability and duration of free trials or demo versions
- Scalability: Cost implications as project size or user number increases
Integrations and Customization
To round off our methodology, we prioritize project cost management software with a high degree of configurability:
- Accounting Software: Integration with popular tools like QuickBooks, Xero, etc.
- Project Management Tools: Compatibility with tools like Trello, JIRA, Asana, etc.
- ERP Systems: If it’s meant for larger organizations, compatibility with SAP, Oracle, etc.
- API and Custom Integrations: Availability of API for bespoke integrations.
What is Project Cost Management Software?
Project cost management software assists in estimating, tracking, and controlling related expenses. Primarily utilized in sectors like construction, engineering, and manufacturing, its aim is to ensure projects stay within budget using precise estimation and time management features. This software first estimates project costs, then leverages job cost controls and on-field data collection to adhere to the set budget.
While job costing software focuses on specific project finances, project cost management software offers a comprehensive analysis for precise estimates. Key features include budgeting, cost tracking, resource allocation, real-time teamwork, and advanced reporting tools.
Who Uses Project Cost Management Software?
Different sectors use cost management tools to navigate the unique challenges and intricacies of their operations. Here’s how:
- Marketing Agencies: Juggling multiple campaigns and initiatives, these agencies use the software for task coordination, performance metrics, and resource distribution.
- Education: Educational institutions often manage programs with complex resource and budget needs. Cost management tools ensure they’re completed on time and within allocated funds.
- Construction: Construction firms rely on the software to monitor budgets, track work progress, and anticipate potential hurdles.
- Engineering: Similar to construction, engineering projects have many stakeholders. The software aids in budget, timeline, and resource management while tracking progress and identifying challenges.
- Manufacturing: Manufacturers use the software to optimize resource allocation, minimize waste, oversee budgets, and forecast costs.
What Are the Five Features Offered by a Good Project Management Software?
A good project management software provides these five critical features:
- Task Management: Allows users to create, assign, and track tasks or activities. It often includes setting priorities, deadlines, and task dependencies to ensure projects progress in a systematic manner.
- Collaboration Tools: Enables team members to communicate and collaborate in real-time within the platform. This may include chat functions, file sharing, comment threads, and collaborative document editing.
- Timeline & Gantt Charts: Provides a visual representation of the project schedule, showing task durations, dependencies, and milestones. Gantt charts help in assessing the project’s progress and adjusting timelines as needed.
- Resource Allocation & Management: Helps in assigning and tracking resources, human (team members) or non-human (equipment, tools, or budget). It ensures optimal utilization and avoids resource overloading.
- Reporting & Analytics: Offers insights into project performance through various metrics, charts, and reports. It enables managers to identify bottlenecks, assess team productivity, and make informed decisions.
What Are the Benefits of Using Project Cost Management Software?
Using project cost management software offers these advantages:
- Budget Adherence: Helps organizations to stay within the allocated budget by providing real-time insights into expenditures and forecasting potential overruns.
- Efficient Resource Allocation: Enables optimal utilization of resources by aligning expenses with project objectives, ensuring that funds are directed towards the most critical areas.
- Forecasting Accuracy: Uses historical data and predictive analytics to provide more accurate cost estimations for future projects, improving budgeting accuracy.
- Reduced Financial Risks: Helps in identifying potential financial pitfalls in advance, allowing for proactive measures to mitigate risks.
How Much Does Project Management Software Cost?
The pricing spectrum for project cost management software ranges from a one-time fee of $350 to $35,000 or a monthly fee ranging from $0 to $500.
Project cost management software pricing varies based on user size and payment structure. For 1-10 users, there’s a one-time fee of $350-$1,500 or a monthly subscription of $0-$40. For 10-100 users, the one-time fee is $1,300-$14,000, with a monthly rate of $30-$250. Groups over 100 users face a one-time fee of $2,500-$35,000 or a monthly rate of $50-$500.
In essence, as user numbers increase, so does the cost, with both one-time and monthly payment options available.