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Irene Casucian, Staff Writer
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Reviewed by
Corey Noles, Managing Editor
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Irene Casucian Avatar

Written by
Irene Casucian, Staff Writer
Read more by Irene →

Corey Noles Avatar

Reviewed by
Corey Noles, Managing Editor
Read more Project Management content →

What is Enterprise project management?

Enterprise project management (EPM) is the practice of managing multiple projects simultaneously across a large organization to achieve cohesive business objectives. Unlike traditional project management, which focuses on individual projects, EPM takes a holistic approach to ensure all projects align with the organization’s strategies. 

EPM also utilizes “stages of growth” models to improve project management capabilities. It minimizes duplication, improves decision-making, and enhances overall project success by fostering collaboration and communication among project teams.

Enterprise project management software provides companies with the tools needed to manage all of their projects at the enterprise level efficiently. This involves viewing projects from a strategic perspective, allowing executives to prioritize tasks, delegate resources, and determine how different projects fit into company objectives. 

And to help you decide on the enterprise management software for your business, here’s a list of our hand-picked favorites and what sets them apart from other EPM software: 

  • monday.com is best for its customizable features
  • Wrike is best for visualizing projects and priorities
  • Workzone is best for its reusable project templates
  • Smartsheet is best for automation and workflow management
  • ClickUp is best for its versatile view options
  • Asana is best for scalability
  • Celoxis is best for collaboration across different time zones

If you don’t see the right choice among this list of enterprise project management tools, look at our project management software buyer’s guide for more project management software options.

TechnologyAdvice is able to offer our services for free because some vendors may pay us for web traffic or other sales opportunities. Our mission is to help technology buyers make better purchasing decisions, so we provide you with information for all vendors — even those that don’t pay us.

Featured Partners

Top Enterprise Project Management Software

monday.com: Best for its customizable features


Pros

  • All-in-one work management platform
  • Can automate repetitive tasks
  • Can be easily customized  

Cons

  • Reported slow responses when seeking customer support
  • Time-tracking features are limited to the Pro account

Advanced Reporting and Analytics: With features like pivot analysis, work performance insights, and custom dashboards, enterprise teams can have a comprehensive overview of progress and areas of improvement, aiding in informed decision-making. 

Customizable Tools and Team Collaboration: monday.com’s flexibility in customization, including custom templates, columns, and the ability to adapt to specific workflows, along with collaboration tools, ensures alignment across large teams, helping in effective project management. 

Robust Security and Administrative Controls: With its robust security features, enterprise teams can rely on strong data protection and access control, aligning with the strict security needs of large organizations.

  • Free plan available.
  • Basic plan starts at $9 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Standard plan starts at $12 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Pro plan starts at $19 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Enterprise plan requires custom pricing.

We chose monday.com for enterprise project management due to its robust and customizable features tailored to large-scale projects. The platform offers real-time tracking, advanced reporting, and analytics, giving a comprehensive oversight of progress and areas for improvement. Its ability to centralize work processes and tools enhances collaboration across the team. The platform’s customization through no-code solutions and workflow automation allows for efficiency and alignment with specific project needs.

Also Read: Trello vs. Jira: Top Agile Project Management Tool (2023)

monday.com is a comprehensive work management platform tailored for enterprise teams, prioritizing security and efficiency. It provides all essential tools for project management, such as task and resource management, collaboration, time tracking, and reporting. 

Upgrading to an enterprise plan opens up premium benefits, including enhanced integration with CRM and ERP software, advanced reporting capabilities, audit logs, and even a unique “panic mode” to secure compromised accounts.

The platform stands out for its customizability, allowing users to adapt it to specific needs without coding. Integrations with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, and others are included.

Wrike: Best for visualizing projects and priorities


Pros

  • Over 400 native integrations
  • Provides a 360-degree view of projects and departments.
  • Features that help predict risks and accelerate results

Cons

  • The steep learning curve for new users
  • Enterprise-level features can be costly
  • The mobile experience is less robust compared to the desktop version

360-Degree View of Projects: This feature enables enterprise project managers to assess project progress, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions. The 360-degree view also facilitates collaboration and transparency, allowing team members to understand how their contributions fit into the larger project context. With access to real-time data and insights, project managers can quickly make agile adjustments to ensure successful project outcomes.

Task and File Sharing: Users can easily create, assign, and share tasks within the platform, informing everyone of their responsibilities and deadlines. This fosters a sense of accountability and ensures that tasks are completed on time. Additionally, the file-sharing feature allows users to upload and share documents, images, and other relevant files directly within the task or project.

Time Tracking: Wrike’s time tracking feature empowers users to monitor the time spent on various tasks and projects. Time tracking facilitates accurate project costing and billing for clients or internal stakeholders. The insights gained from time tracking data enable data-driven decision-making and can lead to improved efficiency, better time management, and increased overall project success rates.

  • Free plan available.
  • Team plan starts at $10.00 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Business plan starts at $24.80 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Enterprise and Pinnacle plans require custom pricing.

We chose Wrike because it offers various viewing options, like Kanban boards and Gantt charts, simplifying task visualization and prioritization. Integrations with over 400 popular tools ensure seamless connections with existing systems, enhancing efficiency. Wrike’s automation features aid in risk prediction and time savings, while its collaboration support fosters team communication. Being a part of Citrix, Wrike also emphasizes remote team performance, which is crucial in today’s global work environment.

Wrike is an enterprise project management software designed for teams of five or more. Offering a highly configurable platform, it provides customized workflows, dashboards, reports, and request forms. With a simple interface, Wrike facilitates switching between Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and workload views, enabling users to visualize priorities effectively. 

Its extensive features include project management, task scheduling and tracking, budgeting, marketing automation, and collaboration support. It offers over 400 native integrations with popular file management and sales/marketing tools. Being part of Citrix, Wrike focuses on enhancing remote and cross-functional team performance and accelerating growth.

The platform encourages collaboration through smart replies and voice commands and offers tools for feedback, approval, and insight into team performance. With the capability to align users with company goals and cover unlimited employee capacity, Wrike is a robust solution for modern enterprise management.

Workzone: Best for its reusable project templates


Pros

  • Includes reusable project templates
  • Provides insightful reports for strategy reassessment
  • Suitable for various industries and team sizes

Cons

  • Limited customization compared to other EPM tools
  • Lacks some of the advanced functionalities
  • Might not have extensive integration capabilities

Reusable Project Templates: With just a few clicks, project managers can set up new projects based on these templates, saving valuable time and ensuring consistency in project execution. This functionality is particularly beneficial for organizations that frequently undertake similar initiatives or follow standardized processes. 

Time and Expense Tracking: Team members can easily log their working hours on specific tasks or projects, enabling managers to monitor resource utilization and project progress effectively. Additionally, the software allows tracking project expenses, such as travel costs or material purchases. This comprehensive tracking ensures that projects stay within budget and helps identify areas for adjustments. 

Advanced Reporting: Workzone’s advanced reporting capabilities empower users with actionable insights into project performance and overall organizational efficiency. The software compiles data from various projects and workspaces to generate comprehensive reports that can be customized according to specific parameters. Project managers and stakeholders can access these reports to monitor key performance indicators, identify bottlenecks, and assess project progress against set goals.

  • Team plan starts at $24 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Professional plan starts at $34 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Enterprise plan starts at $43 per user per month, billed annually.

We chose Workzone because it offers a robust set of features for enterprise project management. Its comprehensive project and task management capabilities, real-time updates, and automation ensure project managers have a clear, up-to-date view of their work. With Gantt charts, reusable project templates, and a diverse user base, Workzone caters to various industries and team sizes. Its personalized support and time and expense tracking further enhance its appeal. 

Also read: How Jira Work Management Improves Project Management Productivity

Workzone is a comprehensive project management software designed for teams of all sizes. With 17 years of experience, it is one of the pioneering enterprise management tools, providing extensive features to help organizations enhance productivity.

The software gives teams a clear overview of project status and progress through a Project Dashboard and To-do List. It supports collaboration by allowing easy task splitting, file sharing, comments, and approvals.

Workzone caters to various industries, including healthcare, real estate, financial services, manufacturing, and education. Its customizable interface, secure data management, and customer support suit businesses in marketing, accounting, communications, PMO, and product development.

Smartsheet: Best for automation and workflow management


Pros

  • Powerful analytics and reporting
  • Robust automation features
  • Versatility and familiarity for spreadsheet users

Cons

  • No Kanban views
  • Steep learning curve for those not familiar with spreadsheets
  • Lacks features like intuitive navigation.

Spreadsheet-Like Interface: Smartsheet’s familiar spreadsheet format, with multiple views like Gantt, grid, and calendar, offers versatility and appeals to those comfortable with Excel. This interface allows users to input important data and tasks into sheets, which can then be viewed in various formats. Additionally, features like hierarchy, smart columns, formulas, and conditional formatting rules bridge the gap between conventional spreadsheet use and modern project management needs.

Automation and Workflow Management: Smartsheet offers workflow automation, real-time notifications, and the Critical Path. These features highlight essential tasks, enhance efficiency, and team alignment. These automation tools perform calculations across sheets, relieving users from complex formulas, and the real-time alerts keep everyone informed of critical changes. 

Advanced Enterprise Features: Tailored for large-scale organizations, these features, including personalized data retention policies and customer-managed encryption keys, provide robust security, control, and compliance. The ability to follow up on processes at scale and customize security measures adds a layer of adaptability and trust. Furthermore, integrating event reporting offers transparency and insights into user activities.

  • Free plan available
  • Pro plan starts at $9 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Business plan starts at $19 per user per month, billed annually.
  • Enterprise plan requires custom pricing.

We chose Smartsheet due to its unique blend of familiar spreadsheet-like interface and advanced automation features. The tool’s interface, resembling Excel, offers multiple views like Gantt, grid, and calendar, making it intuitive for those accustomed to spreadsheets. Automation and workflow management, including real-time notifications and Critical Path highlighting, enhance efficiency and collaboration. Smartsheet’s enterprise features are tailored for large-scale organizations and can provide robust security, control, and compliance.

Smartsheet is a project management tool that resembles a spreadsheet, making it appealing to those comfortable with Excel. Used by several major companies, Smartsheet offers a unique blend of spreadsheet functionality with advanced project management features. 

It automates calculations across sheets, allows customization with brand logos and color themes, and provides various views like Gantt, calendar, and card views. Workflow automation, real-time notifications, shared views, and critical path highlighting are key features that enhance project tracking and collaboration.

Despite some UI drawbacks and a steep learning curve, Smartsheet’s flexibility, collaboration tools, and automations make it a powerful choice for managing multiple projects, especially for those who think in spreadsheets.

ClickUp: Best for its versatile view options


Pros

  • Offers unlimited storage in premium plans
  • Suitable for complex projects
  • Integration with over 1,000 native and third-party apps

Cons

  • Time tracking is only available in higher-priced plans
  • May require onboarding and training for new users

Versatile View Options: ClickUp’s Versatile View Options provide a flexible approach to project management, offering over 15 different ways to visualize tasks and workflows. Along with standard views like lists, board, Gantt charts, and calendars, ClickUp introduces unique options such as matrix, whiteboard, and chat. These diverse view options cater to various project needs and team dynamics, enhancing customization and collaboration. 

Robust Security and Compliance: With security features and add-ons, ClickUp ensures that data security and regulatory compliance are prioritized, making it suitable for enterprises with stringent security requirements. ClickUp’s features provide a comprehensive and adaptable approach to safeguarding data and ensuring regulatory adherence. 

Extensive Integrations and Customization: ClickUp integrates with over 1,000 native and third-party apps, including cloud storage, calendars, messaging, and more. The platform also offers a highly customizable interface with various widgets, reporting tools, and automation features, allowing for tailored solutions that align with specific enterprise needs and workflows.

  • Free plan available
  • Unlimited plan starts at $7 per user per month, billed annually
  • Business plan starts at $12 per user per month, billed annually
  • Enterprise plan requires custom pricing

We chose ClickUp for its multifaceted approach to managing projects. With over 15 versatile view options, ClickUp allows for tailored visualization of tasks, catering to different project needs and team dynamics. Its robust security features ensure data protection and regulatory adherence. The platform’s extensive integrations and customization capabilities enable seamless collaboration and automation, enhancing efficiency.

ClickUp is a flexible project management tool designed to enhance collaboration, productivity, and customization for teams of all sizes. It offers many features, including task and resource management, and real-time reporting. ClickUp also offers over 15 project views, such as lists, boards, Gantt charts, and mind maps. 

Security is a priority in the enterprise tier. ClickUp’s standout features include white-label solutions, granular permissions, and extensive integrations with over 1,000 native and third-party apps.

The interface, similar to Asana, is highly customizable with various widgets and reporting tools, and the app offers unique view options like matrix, whiteboard, and chat. For complex projects, ClickUp’s balance of usability and functionality makes it a preferred choice for notable companies.

Asana: Best for scalability


Pros

  • Suitable for businesses of all sizes
  •  Automations and custom rules for efficiency
  • Advanced enterprise-level features

Cons

  • Tasks can only be assigned to one person
  • Can become hard to navigate for complex projects
  • The load time increases as the project gets bigger

Ease of use: Its user-friendly design allows individuals and teams to understand and navigate the platform quickly. Users can manage tasks and projects effectively without feeling overrun by options thanks to a modern, streamlined interface that reduces complexity. This simplicity fosters quick adoption, even for those new to the tool, making it accessible to many users.

Scalability and Customization: Asana can adapt to various business sizes and unique needs. Scalability ensures that the tool can grow with a company, accommodating small businesses to large enterprises. Customization allows users to tailor features and controls to specific project requirements, enhancing flexibility and alignment with organizational goals.

Task Management and Tracking: Asana enable users to create, assign, and monitor tasks efficiently. Users can view upcoming tasks across projects in different formats, such as lists or calendars. This feature simplifies work organization, ensures timely completion, and provides a clear overview of individual and team responsibilities.

  • Basic plan is free
  • Premium plan starts at $10.99 per user per month, billed annually
  • Business plan starts at $24.99 per user per month, billed annually
  • Enterprise plan requires custom pricing

We chose Asana for its comprehensive suite of features that cater to various project needs. From easy task-tracking to robust reporting, automation, and scalability, Asana offers a user-friendly interface streamlining project management. Its adaptability to different business sizes and customizable controls make it a versatile tool.

Also read: Asana vs. monday.com: Top Project Management Software in 2023

Asana is an enterprise project management software that prominent companies like Amazon, Japan Airlines, and Under Armour use. It offers a simple yet powerful solution for tracking tasks and managing projects at all levels. From company objectives to marketing campaigns, Asana provides tools to organize each step and centralize all details in one location.

Asana supports different team sizes, and its user-friendly interface helps keep everything organized without overwhelming navigation options. Its native automations, integrations with popular tools like Google Workspace, and features like the team workload manager add to its efficiency and adaptability.

It’s scalable for businesses of all sizes, with various pricing tiers, including a free plan for up to 15 users. Custom controls, third-party application support, and advanced enterprise features contribute to its appeal as a holistic solution for project management.

Celoxis: Best for collaboration across different time zones


Pros

  • Complete solution for project portfolio management
  • Available as both SaaS or on-premise
  • Excellent reports and analytics

Cons

  • Limited collaboration tools
  • Doesn’t offer a free version
  • Requires a minimum 5-user sign-up

Interactive Gantt Charts: Celoxis offers visual tools that provide an overview of a project’s schedule. They allow users to see tasks, dependencies, timelines, and progress all in one place. These charts are interactive, meaning team members can directly manipulate tasks, adjust timelines, and view real-world project schedules. 

Task and Ticket Management: Celoxis enables team members to organize and oversee various project activities. Users can view tasks, report bugs, manage tickets, and track time. This feature streamlines the assignment and monitoring of individual responsibilities. It contributes to efficiency and accountability within the project and keeps everything aligned and on track.

Comprehensive Project Management: Celoxis caters to the complexities of modern projects. It supports geographically distributed teams, allowing collaboration across time zones. The system also manages part-time resources, accounts for absences, handles interim resource swaps, and navigates inter-project dependencies. This all-encompassing approach ensures flexibility and adaptability, and is vital for the dynamic nature of today’s project environments.

  • Cloud-based version is $22.50 per month, billed annually 
  • On premise version requires custom pricing

We chose Celoxis for its comprehensive suite of tools tailored for complex enterprise needs. It offers real-time insights, interactive Gantt charts, task and ticket management, and support for distributed teams and various resource scenarios. With flexible deployment options and robust reporting, Celoxis provides a one-stop solution for advanced project management, which enhances efficiency, collaboration, and decision-making.

Also read: 6 Basecamp Alternatives for Project Management

Celoxis is a robust, web-based platform designed for comprehensive project portfolio management and collaboration. Tailored for geographically dispersed teams, it facilitates coordination across different time zones and handles various resource management complexities like part-time resources and inter-project dependencies.

With real-world project schedules and interactive Gantt charts, team members can view tasks, report bugs, manage tickets, and track time. Collaboration is enhanced through features like project discussions, file sharing, and document version control.

Available as SaaS or on-premise, Celoxis is best suited for advanced project management, particularly in large businesses or enterprises seeking high-level visibility and reporting. Though praised for its excellent reports and analytics, it’s noted that Celoxis lacks a free version and has limited collaboration tools.

Find your new Enterprise Project Management software

EPM Software Benefits

Using an enterprise project management software can benefit your organization in several ways. 

These benefits include but are not limited to:

Lower Project Risks: Using EPM software lowers project risks by identifying and mitigating potential overlaps and conflicts between different projects. By providing a transparent overview, it ensures that the same resources aren’t involved in multiple tasks simultaneously, thus preventing wasted resources and reducing the chance of project failure.

Better Planning Phases: EPM systems improve the planning phases by offering clear visibility of all essential information. By supporting various methodologies like Agile, EPM ensures a more effective and adaptable planning process, aligning projects with overall strategic goals.

Enhanced Teamwork Approach: Enhanced teamwork through EPM software fosters collaboration and transparency among team members. By integrating software approaches, EPM ensures that everyone is aligned and working cohesively towards the company’s shared goals.

Increases Productivity Levels: EPM tools boost productivity by streamlining project work for better results in less time. By enhancing resource utilization and communication, EPM minimizes time spent on redundant tasks, allowing teams to focus on core objectives and achieve more with greater efficiency.

EPM Software Challenges

While EPM software offers numerous benefits, it also presents certain challenges that organizations must navigate to fully leverage its potential. 

These challenges include:

Too Many Projects: Managing a wide array of simultaneous projects can overwhelm an enterprise project manager, leading to mistakes that impact project quality and outcomes. 

Poor Resource Allocation: Sharing resources across multiple projects can lead to contention when too many projects vie for the same or insufficient resources. This can require alterations in project schedules and resource requirements.

Poor Tracking and Reporting: With many projects competing for attention, skipping data entry and reporting steps can cause gaps in financial and resource information. Comprehensive and consistent use of EPM tools is essential for developing good data and meaningful analytics.

Choosing the best enterprise project management software

Selecting the ideal enterprise project management software is a critical decision that requires careful consideration of the following factors: 

Identify Your Needs and Goals

It’s crucial to identify your organization’s specific needs and goals. Look for collaboration features that enable team members to communicate and work together seamlessly, such as in-app chats and file sharing. Automation capabilities can streamline processes, making work more predictable and efficient. 

Evaluate Visuals and User Interface

The visual appeal and user interface of the EPM software are essential for managing complex projects effectively. A well-designed visual workspace with graphs, minimalistic interfaces, and easy navigation can enhance the user experience. It helps in understandably presenting information, as well as in decision-making and project execution.

Consider Integrations and Flexibility

Integration and flexibility are key factors in selecting the right EPM software. Cloud-based tools that offer various options to expand functionality are preferable. An open API allows your team to create custom connections with existing software, which ensures that the EPM system can adapt to your organization’s unique requirements and workflows.

Understand the Impact on Organizational Roadmaps and Goals

EPM software should align with your organization’s roadmap and goals. Enterprise plans that follow high-security standards and support strategic planning can significantly impact achieving organizational objectives. The right EPM system will help in planning individual projects and ensure that they are aligned with the broader organizational strategy.

FAQs

Enterprise Project Management (EPM) software is a system that helps organizations plan, execute, and monitor multiple projects. EPM tools provide a centralized platform for managing complex projects efficiently across various departments and teams.

Enterprise project management software enhances collaboration, streamlines processes, and provides real-time insights. It centralizes task management, fosters efficient resource allocation, and supports strategic decision-making.