Skip to main content

With so many different resource planning solutions available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want to make efficient use of your resources and set realistic timelines and deadlines, but need to figure out which tool is best. I've got you! In this post I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using dozens of different resourcing tools with large teams and projects, with my picks of the best resource planning software.

Why Trust Our Resource Planning Software Reviews

We’ve been testing and reviewing resource planning software since 2012. As project managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.

We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different Project Management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our resource planning software review methodology.

The Best Resource Planning Software Comparison Chart

This table has all the tools we just covered in the overviews. Use it to compare which one is best for your situation.

Tools Price
monday.com From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats)
Productive From $11/user/month
Kantata Pricing upon request
Wrike From $9.80/user/month
Resource Guru From $3/user/month
LiquidPlanner From $15/user/month (billed annually)
Projectworks From $370 /month (for up to 10 users)
Mosaic From $9.99/user/month
NetSuite ERP Pricing upon request
Deltek ERP From $30-46/user/month
Preview Image - 
<h2  class="c-block__title b-summary-table__title c-listicle__title h3" >
	Compare Software Specs Side by Side</h2>

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

Compare Software

How To Choose Resource Planning Software

With so many different resource planning software solutions available, it can be challenging to make decisions on what resource planning software is going to be the best fit for your needs.

As you're shortlisting, trialing, and selecting resource planning software consider the following:

  • What problem are you trying to solve - Start by identifying the resource planning software feature gap you're trying to fill to clarify the features and functionality the resource planning software needs to provide.
  • Who will need to use it - To evaluate cost and requirements, consider who'll be using the software and how many licenses you'll need. You'll need to evaluate if it'll just be the project team, or the whole organization that will require access. When that's clear, it's worth considering if you're prioritizing ease of use for all, or speed for your resource planning software power users.
  • What other tools it needs to work with - Clarify what tools you're replacing, what tools are staying, and the tools you'll need to integrate with, such as accounting, CRM or HR software. You'll need to decide if the tools will need to integrate together, or alternatively, if you can replace multiple tools with one consolidated resource planning software.
  • What outcomes are important - Consider the result that the software needs to deliver to be considered a success. Consider what capability you want to gain, or what you want to improve, and how you will be measuring success. For example, an outcome could be the ability to get greater visibility into performance. You could compare resource planning software features until you’re blue in the face but if you aren’t thinking about the outcomes you want to drive, you could be wasting a lot of valuable time.

How it would work within your organization - Consider the software selection alongside your workflows and delivery methodology. Evaluate what's working well, and the areas that are causing issues that need to be addressed. Remember every business is different — don’t assume that because a tool is popular that it'll work in your organization.

Best Resource Planning Software Reviews

This is a list of the 10 best resource planning software. I have highlighted what I think is the best use case for each one.

Best for managing team workloads

  • 14-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

monday.com is a flexible project management and resource management tool designed to help teams communicate and collaborate on any project at scale.

Why I Picked monday: Monday.com provides a bird’s eye view of ongoing projects, timelines, due dates, and available resources and has a simple interface that facilitates proper resource allocation and management. It offers resource planning tools that empower teams to initiate realistic resource planning timelines as well as project ownership assignments and management within minutes.

monday.com provides users with different visualizations to represent important data. This allows individual team members to work on their task assignments according to their preferences. For example, the workload view allows project managers to quickly see who among their staff members has too much or too little on their plate. This enables them to remove or reallocate tasks and resources where necessary.

The platform also allows users to gain valuable insights into their resource capacity so they can plan their resource allocation accordingly and make the necessary adjustments to the project timeline, regardless of where they are. In addition to the resource planning tools, monday.com also provides features like shared documents for real-time collaboration, file management, Gantt charts, multiple dashboards, automation capabilities, and more than five visualization options.

monday Standout Features & Integrations

Features include project management, task scheduling/tracking, resource management, scheduling, budgeting, API, calendar management, Gantt charts, file sharing, time management, email integration, third party plugins, and notifications.

Integrations include project management apps like Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, Jira, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Typeform and many more, accessible through a paid plan with Zapier.

Best for agencies or consultancies

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $11/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Productive is a SaaS tool that helps businesses manage their projects, clients, and teams all in one place. It's designed primarily for agencies, consultancies, and other professional service businesses that need a better way to plan resources, track time, and manage their finances.

Why I Picked Productive: I chose Productive as the best resource planning tool for agencies or consultancies because it offers a comprehensive set of features that help you manage team workloads, execute projects, track project time, and invoice your clients. While other resource planning tools typically focus on scheduling, Productive is specifically designed for businesses that need to allocate resources efficiently and keep track of billable hours to make client invoicing easier. Plus, their user interface is clean and easy to navigate, which makes it a pleasure to use.

Productive Standout Features & Integrations

The flexibility of their resource planning module stood out to me since it allows you to allocate team members to projects based on their specific skills, instead of just their availability. You can also see at a glance who's overbooked or underutilized, which helps you make better decisions about workload distribution.

I also appreciate the time-tracking feature, which is integrated into the resource planning module. It helps you track how much time your team is spending on each project so you can make any adjustments as needed.

Lastly, as I mentioned above, their financial features are robust for agency purposes. You can keep track of project budgets, expenses, and invoicing, all in one place, saving you time and making it easier to manage your business's finances. Plus, their integrated budgeting tool helps you monitor your team's activity so you won't go over budget on your projects.

Integrations are available with popular tools like DropBox, Google Workspace, Jira, Outlook, Microsoft Calendar, Slack, QuickBooks, and Xero. And, if you need more integrations, Productive has an API that allows you to connect it with other tools you might be using, or you can hook it up to a paid Zapier account as well.

Best for data-driven companies

  • Free demo
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

Kantata is a powerful and versatile resource planning software designed to optimize and streamline various aspects of business operations. By integrating multiple functionalities such as inventory management, production planning, procurement, and customer relationship management, Kantata provides businesses with a comprehensive solution to efficiently manage resources, enhance productivity, and make data-driven decisions. Its user-friendly interface and real-time analytics enable organizations to gain valuable insights, improve collaboration, and achieve operational excellence across the entire supply chain.

Why I Picked Kantata: Kantata sets itself apart from competitors with its advanced predictive analytics capabilities and AI-driven insights. The software utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze historical data, identify patterns, and predict future trends. This enables businesses to anticipate demand fluctuations, optimize inventory levels, and proactively address potential supply chain disruptions. Kantata's AI-driven insights provide valuable recommendations and actionable suggestions, empowering organizations to make informed decisions that maximize efficiency and minimize risks.

Kantata excels in handling robust, data-rich business intelligence through its sophisticated data management and analysis capabilities. The software seamlessly integrates with various data sources, consolidating diverse datasets from across the organization, including sales, inventory, production, and customer data. Utilizing advanced data warehousing and analytics tools, Kantata efficiently processes and transforms this data into actionable insights. Its intuitive dashboard visualizations provide users with comprehensive views of key performance indicators, trends, and predictive analytics, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions with confidence. With real-time data updates and drill-down capabilities, Kantata empowers users to explore and uncover valuable insights, facilitating agile decision-making and fostering a competitive edge in today's data-driven business landscape.

Kantata Standout Features & Integrations 

Features include task management, resource management, time tracking, communication & collaboration, project dashboards, reporting, file sharing, a mobile app, and third-party integrations.

Integrations include Avalara, Salesforce, NetSuite, Slack, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Quickbooks, Xero, Hubspot, Expensify, Jira Software, Bamboo HR, SAP Concur, and others. 

Best for flexibility & customizability

  • Free plan available
  • From $9.80/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.2/5

Wrike is a cloud-based project management and resource planning software tool that helps businesses with their project management needs. It provides users with a centralized place to store, share, and collaborate on projects, tasks, and resources. This powerful platform lets users easily plan projects and track their progress in real time. With its intuitive user interface, Wrike helps teams become more productive as they can plan out their tasks more efficiently. Additionally, Wrike’s reporting features offer valuable insights into team performance and the success of different projects.

Why I Picked Wrike: Users can easily manage multiple projects without switching between applications or searching for information in different places. Wrike provides access to real-time analytics that allow teams to monitor the progress of their work by tracking key metrics such as completion rate or due dates. The software allows users to assign tasks and resources based on role or availability so that everyone on the team knows who is responsible for what task ahead of time. Wrike’s interactive calendar interface makes it easy to create, adjust and store events that can be set up as one-time or recurring activities. Its forecasting feature helps companies streamline their project management by predicting what resources will be needed and how they can best be allocated. It allows businesses to analyze resource gaps or conflicts caused by changes in project timelines or team size and identify potential opportunities for future growth.

Wrike offers several collaboration tools that help teams stay organized while working on projects. Its group chat feature allows team members to communicate quickly and easily while staying focused on the task. Its files-sharing feature lets members access documents from any device so they can work together even when they’re not in the same place. Wrike’s discussion boards empower teams by enabling them to provide feedback quickly and effectively without ever leaving the application itself.

Wrike Standout Features & Integrations

Features include project management, task scheduling/tracking, resource management, expense tracking, API, budgeting, Gantt charts, marketing automations, collaboration support, and reporting.

Integrations include 400+ pre-built native integrations, including integrations with the most popular file management software from Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox, along with sales and marketing software from Salesforce and Marketo.

Best for leave management

  • 30-day free trial available
  • From $3/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Resource Guru simplifies delegating tasks to your team. It has a super-intuitive UI that is easy to use and provides great visibility into project progression and workflow.

Why I Picked Resource Guru: The main benefit of the tool is that it provides full visibility into your team’s capacity so you can plan work and take on only as much as you can complete. With Resource Guru, it’s easy to view your team’s schedules in colorful Gantt charts that provide a clear overview of what everyone’s doing. The software has powerful leave management features, which means you won’t accidentally schedule tasks to unavailable employees.

Resource Guru Standout Features & Integrations

Features include resource scheduling, team management, time tracking, project planning, custom fields, drag and drop interface, real-time reporting, calendar sync, resource utilization reporting, availability scheduling, leave management, email notifications, API integration, and mobile app.

Integrations include Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook Calendar, Apple Calendar, Calendly, and Fantastical. You can use Zapier to connect Resource Guru with 1,500+ apps, though this may incur additional costs.

Best for automatic resource leveling

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $15/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

LiquidPlanner is a predictive scheduling solution that helps users optimize project portfolios and individual projects by giving visibility into how much work can realistically get done and when. It incorporates estimation, prioritization, and dependency management, allowing you to assess more accurately which projects are most likely to succeed and which ones may need more resources or time.

Why I Picked LiquidPlanner: LiquidPlanner's automatic resource leveling feature helps you optimize your team's workload and allows you to see how much work can be completed in a given time frame. You can also automatically adjust the assigned tasks and deadlines for each team member based on availability. This ensures that no one is overloaded with work and that tasks are completed on time. The feature is also flexible, so you can specify which tasks are more critical than others and adjust the level of resources accordingly.

LiquidPlanner's forecasting engine is a comprehensive tool that helps you accurately predict project completion timelines. Using past performance records and present progress information, the software gives you a comprehensive view of potential risks or delays that could interrupt the timeline. LiquidPlanner's ranged estimation feature allows users to estimate the amount of time it will take to complete a task by providing a range of possible values. This range can be based on difficulty, uncertainty, or the user's experience.

LiquidPlanner Standout Features & Integrations

Features include dynamic scheduling, predictive analytics, project management, task dependencies, time tracking, team collaboration, resource management, workload reporting, project portfolio management, custom fields, Gantt chart view, mobile app, email notifications, API integration, and security and data encryption.

Integrations are available only through custom built connections using LiquidPlanner's API.

Best for professional services providers

  • Free trial available
  • From $370 /month (for up to 10 users)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Projectworks is a professional services automation platform with resource planning and management, time and expense tracking, and invoicing capabilities. The software is designed for companies in the professional services industry to facilitate more effective project management.

Why I picked Projectworks: This platform is especially suited to service providers, with resource planning features like skills mapping, invoicing, and leave management. Timesheets can be linked to invoices to keep track of what's been paid out and what hasn't, and the expenses feature includes hosting fees, contractor invoices, and travel expenses.

The tool also offers business intelligence analytics and reports. Project reports give insights into what was planned vs. the actual outcome, and margin reports can be produced by project, customer, individual, or team. The software can also give predictive insights like capacity and revenue forecasting.

Projectworks standout features & integrations

Features include time tracking, invoicing based on T&M, fixed price, or manual billing, expense reporting, skills mapping, revenue and capacity forecasting, and leave management.

Integrations include Azure DevOps, Hubspot, Jira, MYOB, QuickBooks, and Xero, and a paid Zapier account unlocks additional integrations.

Best for productivity reports & optimization analytics

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $9.99/user/month

Mosaic is a modern resource management software purpose-built for project teams and time-billing companies. They offer resource planning, project management, workload forecasting, hiring insights via role demand, capacity planning, profit and loss analysis, budget and time tracking, and performance dashboards.

Why I Picked Mosaic: Mosaic is a leading resource management software that helps businesses optimize their resources for maximum efficiency. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features enable users to manage multiple aspects of their operations with ease. With Mosaic, businesses can better organize, track, and coordinate the use of their resources in order to maximize productivity.

The first step to using Mosaic as a resource management software is creating an account on its platform. Once set up, users can start inputting data about their resources into the system. This data includes information about employees’ availability, cost tracking for specific projects or tasks, material costs associated with different processes, and more. By having this information readily available in one place, users gain insight into how they are using their resources while also ensuring they have access to up-to-date records at all times.

Mosaic Standout Features & Integrations

Features include resource scheduling, team collaboration, time tracking, project planning, budget tracking, custom fields, drag and drop interface, real-time reporting, capacity planning, utilization reporting, email notifications, API integration, and a mobile app.

Integrations include Quickbooks, Unanet, Deltek, Asana, Salesforce, Jira, Workday, SAP, Oracle, and many other software applications.

Best for what-if resource modeling for schedule planning

  • Free demo
  • Pricing upon request

NetSuite ERP is a comprehensive resource planning software solution that empowers organizations to efficiently manage and optimize their critical resources, from financial assets and inventory to human capital and production capacities. This cloud-based platform offers a unified approach to resource planning, seamlessly integrating various business processes, including financial management, supply chain, and workforce management. 

Why I picked NetSuite ERP: NetSuite ERP offers a unique feature that enables businesses to simulate resource allocation scenarios. This 'what-if' modeling allows organizations to test different assumptions and variables, such as changing demand patterns or introducing new products, to assess the feasibility and consequences of various resource allocation strategies. This capability empowers decision-makers to make informed choices that optimize resource capacities while mitigating risks and costs, setting NetSuite apart from competitors that lack this advanced scenario planning tool.

NetSuite ERP distinguishes itself by providing robust capabilities for global resource management. It supports multiple currencies, languages, and tax regulations, making it an excellent choice for businesses with international operations. NetSuite's OneWorld module allows organizations to efficiently manage subsidiaries and divisions in different countries while maintaining consistent processes and data management. This global readiness is a unique aspect of NetSuite that addresses the complex challenges of resource planning on a global scale, setting it apart from many other resource planning software solutions.

NetSuite ERP Standout Features & Integrations

Features include accounts payable and receivable, cash management, billing and invoicing, fixed asset management, tax management, multi-currency accounting, general ledgers, purchase orders, expense tracking, and project accounting.

Integrations include BambooHR, Constant Contact, DealRoom, DocuSign, Domo, Fieldmagic, HubSpot Marketing Hub, Ledgible, Mailchimp, Orange Logic, Project Insight, Recurly, TrueCommerce, Twilio Flex, Zendesk, and other software options.

Best for manufacturing companies

  • Demo available
  • From $30-46/user/month

Deltek ERP is an enterprise resource planning system designed for project-based businesses, and it offers a range of features to help manage various aspects of a project-based business, from project planning and resource management to financial management and reporting.

Why I Picked Deltek: There are versions of Deltek built specifically for different types of business. Each has unique features that help in those industries. For example, the manufacturing ERP gives managers insight into how many orders are open, completed, or scheduled, whereas the agency tool helps owners plan for multiple projects at once. Each tool has an easy-to-use UI and plenty of reporting and analytics features. This gives a full overview of project progression, helping you keep a healthy margin.

Deltek Standout Features & Integrations

Features include project management, resource planning, time and expense management, financial management, procurement and purchasing, customer relationship management, human resources management, business intelligence and reporting, compliance and security, mobile app, and API integration.

Integrations include A2B Tracking, Angles Reporting, Boost, ClientPay, Dynafact, Elevia, FMIS Asset Management, InfoTek, IntroHive, Invoicepay, Raken, Insight Software, QuickBooks, Xero, Workmax Time, and Yellowfin BI. 

Other Resource Planning Software

There are tons of resource planning tools out there. Including plenty of great options that didn’t make our list. Here are some of them:

  1. Retain

    Best for demand forecasting

  2. Tempo

    Best as a JIRA add-on

  3. Apache OFBiz

    Best for commerce-based resource planning

  4. Acumatica

    Best for mid-market companies

  5. Zoho Projects

    Best resource planning within a project management tool

  6. ClickTime

    Best for balancing staff workloads and progress in real-time

  7. Meisterplan

    Best for its role-based resource allocation prior to staffing

  8. Jira Software

    Best for software developers

  9. Birdview

    Best for professional services companies

  10. Silverbucket

    Best for comprehensive resource management

  11. Hub Planner

    Best for visual resource planning

  12. Runn

    Best for IT and software teams

  13. eResource Scheduler

    Best for smart allocation of resources

  14. Parallax

    Best for resource forecasting

  15. KeyedIn

    Best for multi-language support

  16. Adobe Workfront

    Best for working across entire organizations

  17. Float

    Best for time tracking

  18. ActiveCollab

    Best for centralizing communication

  19. Smartsheet

    Best for tailored industry use cases

  20. Forecast

    Best for cutting administrative work

  21. NetSuite

    Best for managing inventory

  22. Celoxis

    Best for customizations

  23. ProjectManager.com

    Best for getting started quickly

  24. BigTime

    Best for resource scheduling

  25. Saviom

    Best resource management software for enterprise

  26. SAP S/4HANA

    Best for those who need a custom solution

  27. EasyProjects

    Best for optimization billable hours

  28. Unit4 ERP

    Best for people-centered businesses

  29. LANSA ERP Frameworks

    Best for IBM i users

  30. Mavenlink

    Best for professional services

If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other project management tool reviews we've curated for you:

Selection Criteria For Resource Planning Software

Selecting resource planning software involves a detailed evaluation of its functionality to ensure it meets the specific use cases that matter most to organizations. My criteria, derived from personal trials and extensive research, reflect a comprehensive approach to choosing the best tools for this category.

Core resource planning software Functionality (25% of final scoring): Common features for resource planning software typically include real-time visibility, advanced reporting, integration capabilities, automated resource allocation, forecasting, collaboration tools, customizable dashboards, capacity planning, timesheet tracking, and user access controls. To be considered for inclusion on my list of the best resource planning software, the solution had to support the ability to fulfill common use cases:

  • Efficient allocation and utilization of human and material resources
  • Accurate project scheduling to meet deadlines within budget constraints
  • Facilitated collaboration and communication among project teams
  • Detailed reporting for informed decision-making
  • Integration with existing business systems for streamlined operations

Additional Standout Features (25% of final scoring): Identifying unique features that set a tool apart is crucial. I look for innovations such as AI-driven forecasting and machine learning-enhanced efficiency optimizations. Exploring these features involves testing for their impact on real-world use cases, such as how effectively they can predict resource needs or streamline complex workflows.

Usability (10% of final scoring): The balance between power and simplicity is key. Therefore, I look at the following items:

  • A user-friendly interface, perhaps with drag-and-drop scheduling capabilities, is essential for quick adoption and efficient use.
  • Role-based access controls that are easy to configure ensure that team members have the right level of access without overwhelming them with unnecessary complexity.

Onboarding (10% of final scoring): A smooth transition to a new tool significantly impacts its success.

  • I value the availability of comprehensive training materials, including videos, templates, and interactive tours, which facilitate quick, effective learning.
  • The presence of responsive chat support or scheduled webinars can greatly enhance the onboarding experience, ensuring users quickly realize the software's value.

Customer Support (10% of final scoring): Responsive, knowledgeable customer support is non-negotiable.

  • Evaluating this involves looking at the breadth of support options available, such as live chat, email, phone support, and the quality of the responses received.
  • Support responsiveness and the depth of assistance provided indicate how well a vendor can assist with both routine and complex issues.

Value For Money (10% of final scoring): Ensuring affordability without compromising on essential features is key.

  • I assess whether pricing structures are transparent and scalable, catering to businesses of various sizes.
  • The inclusion of critical features at each pricing tier, compared to the overall cost, indicates whether a tool offers true value for money.

Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring): Feedback from existing users offers invaluable insights.

  • I look for patterns in user testimonials regarding software reliability, ease of use, and customer service quality.
  • High ratings in user satisfaction, particularly in areas like ease of use and customer support, often correlate with a product's effectiveness and user friendliness.

Through this comprehensive evaluation framework, potential project managers can identify resource planning software that not only meets their immediate needs but also offers scalability, ease of use, and exceptional support as their projects and organizations grow.

These tools are more crucial than ever in assisting organizations to efficiently plan, schedule, and manage resources like employees, equipment, and facilities. Here's a glimpse into the latest trends, functionalities, and demands shaping the future of resource planning software:

  • Integration and Automation: The most rapidly evolving features in resource planning software include advanced integration capabilities and automation of resource allocation. Tools like Wrike and ClickTime are leading the way with their extensive integrations with popular file management, sales, marketing software, and automation features that streamline planning and resource allocation processes.
  • User-Friendly Dashboards and Visualizations: Tools such as Hub Planner and 10,000ft by Smartsheet are focusing on user-friendly interfaces with visual dashboards, drag-and-drop scheduling, and heat maps for identifying gaps in resource utilization. The trend here is toward a simple UI that can help the user navigate a plethora of features without getting visually overwhelmed.
  • AI and predictive analytics: The trend towards leveraging AI for resource planning is gaining traction. For example, Forecast.app uses AI to offer detailed insights into team workload, available capacity, and task assignment efficiency, representing a novel approach to managing and optimizing resource allocation.

Declining Features

  • While specific features becoming less important were not explicitly mentioned, it can be inferred that standalone, non-integrated tools, and those lacking real-time data and predictive capabilities, are less sought after. The focus is shifting towards comprehensive solutions that offer a blend of real-time tracking, automation, and integration with other business tools.

These trends underscore the growing need for tools that not only manage resources efficiently but also provide strategic insights to optimize project delivery and organizational performance.

What Is Resource Planning Software?

Resource planning software is a tool that helps organizations efficiently manage human resources, time, and materials. This software typically includes resource allocation, scheduling, task management, time tracking, and forecasting features to help you make informed decisions about how to best use resources to meet project demands.

You can use this software to create comprehensive resource plans that outline the allocation of team members, equipment, and other resources throughout the project lifecycle. By having a clear overview of resource availability and demand, you can identify potential conflicts, allocate resources efficiently, and have better cost control.

Features Of Resource Planning Software

Selecting the right resource planning software is pivotal for organizations aiming to optimize the use of their employees, equipment, and facilities. Here are the most important features to look for:

  1. Real-Time Visibility: Offers instant access to the status of resources and projects. This feature is crucial for keeping projects on track and adjusting plans dynamically to meet deadlines.
  2. Advanced Reporting and Analytics: Generates detailed reports and analytics. This helps in understanding resource utilization patterns and making data-driven decisions to improve project outcomes.
  3. Integration Capabilities: Connects seamlessly with other business tools. Integration ensures that resource planning software works in harmony with other systems, enhancing workflow and data consistency.
  4. Automated Resource Allocation: Automates the process of assigning resources to tasks. By reducing manual effort, this feature ensures optimal use of resources and prevents over or underutilization.
  5. Forecasting and Demand Planning: Predicts future resource needs based on historical data. Accurate forecasting helps in planning for future projects and avoiding resource shortages or excesses.
  6. Collaboration Tools: Facilitates communication and collaboration among team members. Effective collaboration is key to aligning resources with project goals and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
  7. Customizable Dashboards: Provides personalized views of key metrics. Customizable dashboards allow users to focus on the information that matters most to them, improving efficiency and insight.
  8. Capacity Planning: Assesses the availability of resources over time. This feature is essential for ensuring that there are enough resources available to meet project demands without overcommitting.
  9. Timesheet and Expense Tracking: Tracks time and expenses against projects. This helps in monitoring project costs, billing accurately, and managing budgets effectively.
  10. User Access Controls: Manages permissions and access to information. Proper access controls ensure that sensitive information is protected and only accessible to authorized users.

Choosing a resource planning software equipped with these features can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of resource management within an organization. By providing a comprehensive toolset for planning, scheduling, and analyzing resources, businesses can ensure that their projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with optimal use of available assets.

Benefits of Resource Planning Software

Resource planning software plays a crucial role in the strategic and operational facets of project management, offering a suite of benefits that enhance efficiency and productivity for both users and organizations. Here are five primary benefits:

  1. Optimized Resource Utilization: Ensures the right resources are used at the right time. This benefit means that resources, whether human, financial, or material, are allocated efficiently across projects, reducing idle time and maximizing productivity.
  2. Enhanced Visibility and Control: Provides a comprehensive overview of all resources and projects. Having a centralized view allows project managers to make informed decisions, anticipate bottlenecks, and adjust project plans proactively to meet deadlines and budgets.
  3. Improved Planning and Forecasting: Facilitates accurate project planning and resource forecasting. This feature helps in predicting future resource needs, enabling organizations to plan their projects and resource allocations more effectively to meet anticipated demands.
  4. Increased Collaboration and Communication: Promotes effective communication among team members. By centralizing information and facilitating easy access to project data, team members can collaborate more efficiently, ensuring everyone is aligned with project goals and timelines.
  5. Streamlined Project Reporting and Analytics: Automates and simplifies the reporting process. With advanced reporting capabilities, project managers can easily track project progress, monitor resource utilization, and generate insights to drive continuous improvement.

These benefits not only lead to better project outcomes but also contribute to the strategic success of the organization.

Costs & Pricing For Resource Planning Software

When exploring resource planning software, it's vital for software buyers, especially those with little to no experience, to understand the various plan and pricing options available.These tools offer a range of functionalities tailored to different business needs, from simple project tracking to complex resource forecasting and allocation. Here is a simplified breakdown of typical plan options you might encounter:

Plan Comparison Table For Resource Planning Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free$0Basic resource scheduling, limited projects, basic reporting, community support
Entry-level$10-$20 /user/monthResource scheduling, project tracking, reporting, email support
Mid-range$20-$50 /user/monthAdvanced scheduling, real-time collaboration, enhanced reporting, priority support
Premium$50-$100 /user/monthComprehensive resource management, custom integrations, advanced analytics, dedicated support

Each plan is designed to cater to different organizational needs, from small teams just starting out with resource planning to large enterprises requiring extensive customization and support.

As you consider these options, focus on the specific needs of your organization and the value each plan offers in relation to those needs. Selecting the right plan involves balancing the features you require against the budget you have allocated for resource planning software.

Resource Planning Software FAQs

Find answers to common questions people ask about this topic in their search for the ideal resource management solution.

What is resource planning?

Resource planning is the process that determines how you assign resources in a project. For example, you assign a resource to a specific task based on their skills and availability. Besides resource allocation, resource planning helps you plan for the future needs of your team. You take time to analyze what the project demands and see if you have the people for it.

This process happens numerous times during the planning and execution phases of your projects, as you adjust your plan. Among the benefits are saving time, money, and making your clients happier. Find more about the benefits of resource planning.

Which software is used for resource management?

Two main types of software are used for resource management.

  1. A project management tool
  2. A best-of-breed resource management tool

The first one is usually the most comfortable option, as you have both project and resource management tools in one. However, it also means that you might not have access to the full feature set that a best-of-breed solution will give you. For example, you might have access to resource workload information and timesheets, but not to the time tracking details and invoicing that come with a niche solution.

What are the key features of resource planning software?

Each of these tools puts a unique spin on resource planning. But most still have plenty in common. Here are some of the key features to look out for.

  • Advanced project scheduling: This includes any features that will help you optimize resource planning. Look for extra functionality, like the ability to search for employees based on skills & roles, or capacity management that is particularly important in software development teams.
  • Drag-and-drop allocations: The power of a simple drag when planning resources is immense. Usually, RAG indicators will signal which resources need attention. This feature will help you reduce someone’s workload, allocate them to a new project, or move around tasks in seconds.
  • Flexible project reporting: Project tracking is necessary to show how work is progressing. With reporting features you can track project metrics like hours worked, remaining budget, and open/closed orders.
  • Forecasting: features to predict how your project is likely to proceed. They show you when you need to intervene to get a project back on track.

resource planning software logos list

What's Next?

We have a great article on how to do resource planning in Jira. If you don't use Jira, I recommend you read how to use resource planning visualizations to help you quickly identify resource management needs.

To find out more about project management, and get insight from our team of experts, sign up for our newsletter here.

By Ben Aston

I’m Ben Aston, a digital project manager and founder of thedpm.com. I've been in the industry for more than 20 years working in the UK at London’s top digital agencies including Dare, Wunderman, Lowe and DDB. I’ve delivered everything from film to CMS', games to advertising and eCRM to eCommerce sites. I’ve been fortunate enough to work across a wide range of great clients; automotive brands including Land Rover, Volkswagen and Honda; Utility brands including BT, British Gas and Exxon, FMCG brands such as Unilever, and consumer electronics brands including Sony. I'm a Certified Scrum Master, PRINCE2 Practitioner and productivity nut!