Tag: Remote Work

Questions to Ask to Achieve Full Engagement in a Remote Team

Introduction

AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT, INDIA, June 24, 2024 /https://medium.com/@elijah_williams_agc — Achieving full engagement in a remote team requires intentional strategies and consistent communication. Outsourcing Laravel development requirements is a smart idea. However, it comes with its own set of issues. Lack of engagement is a common issue that can potentially detail your project.

This article provides essential information on how to achieve full engagement with the remote team. It helps in the form of questions you should ask for a successful project.

Benefits To Hire Remote Developers

Hiring remote developers offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance your business’s productivity, flexibility, and overall success. Here are some key benefits:

Access to a Global Talent Pool:

When you hire remote developers, you are no longer limited by geographical boundaries. This means you can access a global talent pool, allowing you to find the best developers with the specific skills and experience needed for your projects. This can lead to higher quality work and innovative solutions that you might not have been able to achieve with a local team alone.

Cost Efficiency:

Hiring remote developers can be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house team. You can save on expenses related to office space, utilities, and equipment. Additionally, remote developers from different regions may have different salary expectations, which can further reduce costs without compromising on quality.

Increased Productivity:

Remote developers often have the flexibility to work during their most productive hours, leading to higher efficiency and output. Without the distractions and interruptions commonly found in a traditional office setting, remote developers can focus better and complete tasks more quickly and accurately.

Scalability and Flexibility:

Hiring remote developers allows you to scale your team up or down based on project demands. This flexibility ensures that you have the right number of developers at any given time, helping you manage resources effectively and avoid the financial strain of maintaining a larger permanent staff than necessary.

Enhanced Employee Satisfaction and Retention:

Remote work can lead to higher job satisfaction as it offers developers the flexibility to balance their work and personal lives better. This increased satisfaction can result in higher retention rates, saving your company the time and costs associated with recruiting and training new employees.

Broader Market Reach:

Having a team of remote developers from different parts of the world can provide your business with insights into various markets and cultures. This can be invaluable when developing products or services aimed at a global audience, as it allows you to tailor your offerings to meet diverse needs and preferences.

Cultural Insights:

Remote developers bring diverse cultural perspectives that can enhance your team’s creativity and problem-solving abilities. This diversity can lead to more innovative ideas and approaches, giving your business a competitive edge in the market.

Innovation and Creativity:

A diverse team of remote developers can contribute fresh ideas and unique perspectives that can drive innovation. This diversity in thought and experience can lead to creative solutions that might not emerge in a more homogeneous team.

Acquaint Softtech is one such firm where you can outsource your requirements. We provide outsourcing and IT staff augmentation services, enabling you to leverage the benefits of hiring remote developers effectively. Our expertise in managing remote teams ensures that you receive high-quality work, timely delivery, and the flexibility to meet your business needs. By partnering with Acquaint Softtech, you can focus on your core business activities while we handle the complexities of building and managing a skilled remote development team.

Common Issues with Remote Software Teams

Managing a remote software team comes with unique challenges. Understanding these issues can help in developing strategies to mitigate them effectively. Here are some common issues:

  • Communication Barriers
  • Collaboration Difficulties
  • Isolation and Loneliness
  • Technical Issues
  • Management Challenges
  • Cultural and Language Differences
  • Onboarding and Integration

Lack of engagement with the remote team is one of the biggest issues. This can result in miscommunication and delays. It is the root cause of many issues. Hence it is vital to address this issue.

Questions to Ask to Achieve Full Engagement

  • How clearly are goals and expectations communicated?
  • Are the team’s goals, milestones, and individual expectations clearly defined and communicated regularly?
  • How often do you review and update these goals with the team?
  • Is there regular and effective communication?
  • What channels (Slack, Microsoft Teams, email, etc.) are you using for communication, and are they effective?
  • Are there regular meetings (daily stand-ups, weekly check-ins) to keep everyone aligned and informed?
  • How are you building a sense of community?
  • What activities or initiatives are in place to foster team bonding and a sense of community?
  • Are there opportunities for informal interactions, such as virtual coffee breaks or team-building exercises?
  • How do you recognize and reward contributions?
  • What systems are in place to recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements?
  • How frequently do you provide positive feedback and recognition?
  • Are you providing opportunities for growth?
  • What professional development opportunities are available to team members (training, conferences, courses)?
  • How do you support career growth and development within the team?
  • How do you handle feedback and concerns?
  • Is there a clear and safe process for team members to provide feedback and voice concerns?
  • How often do you solicit feedback, and how do you act on it?
  • What tools and resources are available?
  • Do team members have access to the necessary tools and resources to perform their jobs effectively?
  • Are there any gaps in the tools or resources provided that need addressing?
  • How do you ensure work-life balance?
  • What policies are in place to support work-life balance for remote employees?
  • How do you monitor and prevent burnout within the team?

By addressing these questions, you can create a more engaged and motivated remote team. Regularly revisiting these questions helps ensure that the team remains aligned, supported, and connected, fostering a productive and positive remote working environment.

Tips To Hire Remote Laravel Team

Hiring a remote Laravel team can be a game-changer for your development projects. Acquaint Softtech is a software development outsourcing company with the expertise to develop robust solutions.

We have experience with a wide range of technologies including Laravel. Hire Laravel developers from Acquaint Softtech to gain the upper edge.

Here are some tips to help you find and onboard the best talent:

  • Outline the skills, experience, and qualifications you need. Be specific about your project requirements, deadlines, and expected outcomes.
  • Use platforms like Upwork, Toptal, and LinkedIn to find experienced Laravel developers. Check their portfolios, ratings, and reviews.
  • Use video calls to assess communication skills, technical expertise, and cultural fit. Prepare questions that test their problem-solving abilities and Laravel knowledge.
  • Review past projects and talk to previous clients to gauge their reliability and quality of work. Look for a track record of successful remote work.
  • Conduct coding tests or technical assessments to ensure they have strong Laravel skills. Look for their ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
  • Effective communication is key in remote teams. Ensure candidates are proficient in your primary language and can articulate their thoughts clearly.
  • Confirm that they have a reliable internet connection, a suitable work environment, and the necessary tools to work remotely effectively.
  • Provide detailed documentation, set up regular check-ins, and use collaboration tools like Slack, Trello, and GitHub to keep everyone aligned.
  • Foster an environment that encourages teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mutual support. Regular virtual meetings and team-building activities can help.
  • Research market rates and offer competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent. Consider additional perks and benefits to make your offer more appealing.
  • Define project milestones, deadlines, and deliverables clearly. Ensure that every team member understands their role and responsibilities.
  • Utilize tools like Asana, Jira, or Basecamp to manage tasks, track progress, and ensure accountability within the team.

By following these tips, you can build a highly-skilled, motivated, and efficient remote Laravel team that drives your projects to success. We happen to be an official Laravel Partner, which will work to your advantage when you hire us.

Conclusion

By asking these questions, leaders can gain valuable insights into their team’s needs and preferences. This is useful for strategies to enhance engagement and productivity. It’s important to create a safe space where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and suggestions. Regularly incorporating these questions into team meetings and one-on-one sessions can lead to a more cohesive and motivated remote team.

Remember, the key to a fully engaged remote team lies in continuous communication, support, and recognition of each team member’s unique contributions.

Remote Work: What are it Financial Implications

Introduction

AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT, INDIA, June 18, 2024 /https://medium.com/@mukesh.ram/ — In the tech industry, remote development has become a game changer by not only altering the workplace dynamics but also changing the fundamental financial beliefs about how work should be valued and compensated.

This detailed article will discuss the evolution of remote work, its financial impacts on both the businesses as well as the employees. It will also discuss the future prospects of these trends.

The shift to remote development has significant implications across the tech industry, democratizing access to opportunities and challenging traditional norms about work environments and economic models in tech.

Now let us first began by learning about the Evolution of Remote Work

The Evolution of Remote Work

Historical Context:

Traditionally, the tech industry has been concentrated in specific hubs such as Silicon Valley, which necessitated relocation for career advancement and access to high-paying jobs. This concentration has created high-cost living environments and competitive job markets.

The Digital Shift:

The widespread adoption of remote work during the global pandemic proved that high-quality software development could be achieved outside these established hubs. This shift has led to a more inclusive and geographically diverse workforce.

Further, let us understand what are the financial implications in Remote Software Development

What are the Financial Implications of Remote Software Development

Cost Reduction:

Transitioning to remote work has enabled companies to save on overheads like office space, utilities and in-person employee benefits.

Global Talent Access:

Businesses and organizations can now access a global talent pool of IT professionals without paying any premium costs traditionally associated with hiring in tech hubs.

Salary benefits without relocation:

Employees can now command a competitive salary without any need to relocate to high cost-areas, thus minimizing the living expenses and improving quality of life.

Enhanced Savings Potential:

An ability to work remotely provides you a greater flexibility in lifestyle and financial planning, thus leading to potentially higher savings and investment opportunities.

Increased Productivity

Many remote workers find they get more done at home than in an office setting. This boost is often due to fewer interruptions, no commute, and the ability to create a work environment that suits their personal productivity style.

Environmental Benefits

Working from home reduces the need for commuting, which cuts down on pollution. Having fewer people in office buildings also decreases energy use and carbon emissions, helping the environment.

Better Work-Life Balance

Remote work gives employees more control over their schedules, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and better mental health. This flexibility is especially valuable for people who need to balance work with personal or family responsibilities.

Now, moving further let us understand what are the challenges of Compensation Equity and its challenges.

What are the Challenges and Solutions in Compensation Equity

Challenges

Salary Disparities: Organizations face challenges in creating compensation models that are fair across various geographic areas without devaluing the work of remote employees.

Management Overheads: Remote teams need various management techniques, including digital communication tools, performance tracking mechanisms and project management systems, that can introduce new costs and complexities.

Isolation and Loneliness: One of the significant downsides of remote work is the potential for workers to feel isolated. Without daily interactions with colleagues in an office setting, some remote employees might feel disconnected, which can impact their mental health and job satisfaction.

Overworking and Burnout: The lines between work and home life can blur when working remotely, leading some employees to work longer hours than they would in an office. This can lead to burnout, where employees feel exhausted and less motivated over time.

Communication Overhead: While digital tools facilitate communication, remote work often requires more effort to reach out, coordinate, and ensure everyone is on the same page. This extra communication overhead can slow down processes and lead to inefficiencies.

Technology Dependence and Issues: Remote work is heavily reliant on technology, which means that any technical issues can significantly disrupt work. Problems like poor internet connectivity, hardware failures, or software glitches can lead to productivity losses.

Security Risks: Remote work increases the risk of security breaches as employees access company networks from various locations. The variability in network security and the use of personal devices can expose the organization to greater cybersecurity threats.

So, these were the challenges but what are the solutions in compensation equity?

Solutions in Compensation Equity

Standardized Global Pay Scales: Implementing role-based pay scales that apply globally, regardless of location, to ensure fairness.

Enhanced Remote Management Tools: Investing in better tools for communication and project management to maintain team efficiency and morale.

Continuous Training and Support: Companies should regularly train employees on new tools and offer ongoing support to help them adapt to remote work. Support should include both technical help and resources for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.

Clear Communication Rules: It’s important to set clear rules for how and when team members should communicate. Companies should clarify when to respond to messages, which communication tools to use, and how often to check in with each other.

Adjusting Performance Reviews: Companies might need to change how they assess employee performance for remote work. They should focus on clear, measurable goals and use metrics that reflect remote work productivity instead of those more applicable to an office setting.

Building an Inclusive Remote Culture: To make sure all employees feel included, companies should organize regular virtual team activities, provide chances for casual conversations, and ensure everyone feels involved and valued, no matter where they are.

Flexible Hours: Allowing employees to work when they feel most productive, especially if they are in different time zones, can lead to better work outcomes and happier employees.

Now, let us understand the comparative table for comparing compensation strategies or Economic Impact of Compensation equity.

Now, further let us understand the Best Practices to minimize the Impact of Remote work

Best Practices to minimize the impact of Remote work

Continuous Training and Support

Companies should regularly train employees on new tools and offer ongoing support to help them adapt to remote work. Support should include both technical help and resources for maintaining mental and emotional well-being.

Clear Communication Rules

It’s important to set clear rules for how and when team members should communicate. Companies should clarify when to respond to messages, which communication tools to use, and how often to check in with each other.

Adjusting Performance Reviews

Companies might need to change how they assess employee performance for remote work. They should focus on clear, measurable goals and use metrics that reflect remote work productivity instead of those more applicable to an office setting.

Building an Inclusive Remote Culture

To make sure all employees feel included, companies should organize regular virtual team activities, provide chances for casual conversations, and ensure everyone feels involved and valued, no matter where they are.

Flexible Hours

Allowing employees to work when they feel most productive, especially if they are in different time zones, can lead to better work outcomes and happier employees.

Now, further let us understand what are the future prospects of Remote Development

Future Prospects of Remote Development

Sustainability of Remote Work: As technology advances and work culture continues to evolve, remote work is likely to grow. This will require ongoing adjustments in how companies integrate remote work into their business models.

Career Management for Remote Workers: Remote workers will need to become more proactive in managing their careers, which includes staying updated with industry trends, continuously upgrading skills, and mastering virtual networking and personal branding.

Now, further let us understand how Acquaint Softtech can help in Remote Team Management

How Acquaint Softtech can help in Remote Team Management

Acquaint Softtech, based in India, excels in software development and IT staff augmentation. Our expertise lies in using the Laravel framework to tailor websites and software precisely to client specifications. For companies operating remotely, our streamlined onboarding process ensures you can integrate skilled developers into your team within just 48 hours.

What’s more, we offer these remote developer services at a highly competitive rate of $15 per hour. We are also expanding our capabilities to include MEAN Stack Development. By hiring our MEAN stack developers, you can infuse your projects with enhanced efficiency and innovation. Reach out to us to boost your development capabilities affordably and efficiently.

Now, let’s wrap up the discussion.

Wrapping Up!

Remote development is redefining the financial landscapes of tech employment, offering new opportunities and challenges for both businesses and workers. As this trend continues to evolve, it will require a dynamic approach to workforce management and compensation strategies, ensuring that growth in remote work translates into equitable and sustainable benefits for all stakeholders in the tech industry.

This structured article outlines how remote development is influencing financial beliefs in the tech industry, supported by detailed analysis and a comparative table on compensation strategies, providing a thorough understanding of the ongoing changes and future directions.

Remote Work vs. Office Culture: The Pros and Cons for Employers and Employees

The comparison between working from home and the traditional office setup has become important in today’s changing work landscape. Working remotely means you can work from anywhere using technology and focus on balancing work and personal life. On the other hand, office culture emphasizes being physically present and working together in one location. This article will closely examine both working remotely and office culture, discussing their advantages and disadvantages for both employers and employees.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance

Remote Work:

  • Allows employees to have more control over their schedules.
  • Eliminates the need for daily commutes.
  • Allows employees to plan their workday the way they like.
  • Provides a sense of empowerment and autonomy.

Office Work:

  • Typically, it requires adhering to strict schedules.
  • It involves daily commuting, which can be time-consuming.
  • Limits flexibility in organizing the workday.
  • It may detract from personal time and hinder work-life balance.

Productivity and Efficiency

Remote Work:

  • Fewer distractions, leading to increased focus and productivity.
  • Ability to customize workspace for optimal productivity.
  • There’s No need to travel to work, so there’s more time to focus on work tasks.
  • Potential feelings of loneliness or isolation.
  • Challenges for managers to monitor employees effectively.

Office Work:

  • Encourages teamwork and collaboration.
  • Facilitates spontaneous interactions for problem-solving.
  • Interruptions from team members may disrupt individual work tasks.

Costs and Savings

Remote Work:

  • There is no need to pay office rent, utilities, or cleaning expenses.
  • Potential to hire talented individuals globally without incurring significant recruitment costs.
  • Investment in new technology may be necessary for remote collaboration.

Office Setup Advantages:

  • Fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork among employees.
  • It requires ongoing maintenance and upkeep expenses to create a conducive work environment.

Employee Engagement and Communication

Remote Work:

  • It is vital for maintaining connection and collaboration, but it can be challenging due to reliance on online communication.
  • Both bosses and workers must actively engage to ensure everyone feels connected and included.

Office Work:

  • Facilitates accessible face-to-face communication, enhancing team cohesion and understanding.
  • Still faces hurdles in disseminating information, particularly in large organizations with multiple departments.

Health and Well-being

Remote Work:

  • Eliminates stressful commutes, allowing for a more relaxed work environment.
  • Provides flexibility to work from comfortable surroundings, promoting well-being.
  • Difficulty in separating work and personal time, leading to potential burnout.

Office Environment:

  • The availability of gyms and wellness programs contributes to employee health.
  • In-person interactions with coworkers foster a sense of belonging and provide emotional support.

Company Culture and Identity

Remote Work:

  • It is vital for shaping employee sentiment and collaboration, especially when working from different locations.
  • Encourage open communication and recognition of achievements to foster a sense of belonging among remote workers.
  • Distance may hinder team bonding, requiring deliberate efforts to maintain a unified vision and a sense of purpose.

Office Setting:

  • Promotes camaraderie and shared experiences, strengthening team cohesion.
  • Office space reflects company culture and goals, serving as a visual reminder of the organization’s values and aspirations.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Remote Work:

  • It allows access to diverse job opportunities from anywhere.
  • Grants individuals control over their schedule and work environment.
  • Misses out on chances to connect with others and learn from peers.

Office Environment:

  • Provides guidance and support for career advancement.
  • Opportunities to meet new people and expand professional connections.
  • Being present in the office may enhance recognition and advancement opportunities.

Management and Supervision

Remote Work:

  • Emphasizes outcomes over hours worked to ensure productivity.
  • Mutual trust between bosses and workers facilitates open communication and clarity on expectations.
  • Relies on technology for collaboration and performance tracking to maintain workflow efficiency.

Office Setting:

  • Enables managers to monitor work progress closely and provide immediate feedback.
  • Face-to-face interactions expedite issue resolution and promote teamwork.

Adaptability and Resilience

Remote Work:

  • Allows continued work amidst external changes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Potential difficulties during emergencies or natural disasters affecting internet connectivity or requiring in-person presence.

Office Environment:

  • Provides a sense of security and routine amid uncertainty.
  • Switching to remote work unexpectedly may pose challenges, emphasizing the need for proactive planning and flexibility.

Inclusivity and Diversity

Remote Work:

  • Allows access to diverse talent regardless of location.
  • Attracts individuals from varied backgrounds, enhancing organizational diversity.
  • Virtual interactions may lack depth compared to face-to-face connections, potentially hindering inclusivity efforts.

Office Environment:

  • Facilitates interpersonal connections and collaboration among employees.
  • Encourages inclusivity through common experiences.
  • A vigilance is needed to prevent exclusionary practices that may marginalize certain groups or individuals within office-based organizations.

Legal and Compliance Considerations

Remote Work:

  • Employment contracts, labor laws, tax regulations, and data privacy requirements.
  • Providing suitable workspace, reimbursing remote employee expenses, and maintaining data security.
  • Addressing legal complexities for employees working in different jurisdictions.

Office Environment:

  • Workplace safety, discrimination, and employee rights.
  • Upholding standards for a safe and inclusive workplace environment.

Technology and Infrastructure

Remote Work:

  • Used for collaboration, project management, and workflow automation.
  • Necessary for robust technology, cybersecurity, and remote support services.
  • Cloud-based productivity suites, video conferencing platforms, and project management tools.

Office Setting:

  • Supports day-to-day operations, including network connectivity and office equipment.
  • Focus on technology that boosts productivity, streamlines workflows, and promotes employee well-being in remote and office environments.

Customer Service and Client Interactions

Remote Work:

  • Adjusting customer service approaches for virtual interactions and digital communication channels.
  • Providing remote teams with the necessary training and tools for delivering exceptional service via email, live chat, and social media.
  • Demonstrating strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving abilities to address customer inquiries remotely.

Office Environment:

  • Prioritizing in-person client meetings, product demonstrations, and networking events for personalized service.
  • Immediate access to resources, collaboration opportunities with colleagues, and client feedback contribute to high-quality service delivery.

Conclusion

The debate over remote work versus office culture is complex, each having advantages and challenges. Remote work offers flexibility and cost savings but requires careful planning and technology investment. Office culture promotes teamwork and identity but needs to adapt to changing expectations and embrace flexibility to attract talent. Ultimately, the choice between remote work and office culture depends on each organization’s unique needs, priorities, and workforce.

Remote Teams: Effective Tools for Project Management

Introduction

The Remote work environment has grabbed a lot of buzz. Companies are on the hunt to hire remote developers to build their remote teams. Some companies are even looking to outsource their project development work through software development outsourcing services.

In a remote work environment, having a reliable toolkit of project management tools is important. Having the right tools not only ensures a seamless workflow, but it also ensures effective monitoring of progress & expenses.

Managing projects & dedicated teams spread across different locations & time zones can pose unique challenges. It becomes difficult to handle tasks effectively if a proper approach is not set up.

The majority of individuals i.e., 75% of remote workers find cooperation & collaboration as the most important for achieving job success. They believed that timely communication is important throughout the project management process.

This is when project management tools come into the picture. By using these tools, an organization can achieve effective project management. Using the right tools can help the organization in streamlining the development process.

But, what makes project management successful? Keep reading this article to find out how you can manage your software development project effectively.

Remote Team Collaborations

The success & failure of any organization depends entirely on its team. Having, the right team of developers can help fine-tune the available tech stacks. The same goes for remote teamwork. There are a few traits every company should develop in a team member whenever they hire remote developers.

Action-oriented:

Any action-oriented team can deliver effective results even if they work remotely. A little guidance & consultation can help the remote teams pull off the project successfully. A project manager with the right mix of communication skills & leadership qualities can do wonders in a remote setup.

Trustworthiness:

This is one of the most important traits in remote working. Worrying about whether your team is performing as expected is important. Ensuring that the team is performing as per the expectations will help build trustworthiness in the collaboration efforts.

Communication:

When you are working remotely, it is important to maintain transparent communication. In remote work setup, data is mostly shared through digital mediums, thus it lacks face-to-face interaction. That’s why having efficient professionals with great communication skills is a must.

Now, let’s understand a list of the Top 10 tools to use for smooth project management

Top 10 Tools for Remote Team Project Management

If a project was executed by an in-house team, then it was easy for the project manager to manage the project. But, this wouldn’t have been the case if the organization opted for third-party distributed teams.

We are lucky to have been living in the 21st century, where technology supports instant communication.

We have mentioned a list of 10 tools you can use to streamline your project management.

Zoho Projects

Would you believe us, if we said Zoho allows you to run your whole business? It helps with word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases & note-making. It also allows you to perform web conferencing & customer-relationship & project management.

Pros

  • It has the strongest mobile application
  • It has a lower price per user
  • Automation is available with all plan

Cons

  • Limited integration options available in lowe plans
  • Adding the data can be time-consuming
  • No phone-supported

Integration:

It does not have many integrations, but Zoho can integrate well with big third-party platforms like Google & Microsoft.

What is the price of Asana?

Free Plan $0 up to 3 users

Premium plan $5 per user/month

Enterprise plan $10 per user/month

Asana

It is a project management tool for all-sized businesses. Moreover, it enables the user to store files, create dashboards & much more in a single interface.

It has every possible feature for project management, but still managing recurring tasks can be trickier than expected.

Pros

  • It is a feature-rich free plan
  • Provides attractive & easy integrations
  • It suits multiple use cases.

Cons

  • It lacks Bi-level reporting
  • Has higher prices for smaller teams
  • No phone & live chat option is available

Integration:

With more than 200 app integrations possible, Asana makes it stand out from the crowd.

What is the price of Asana?

The Basic Plan of Asana costs $0

Its Premium plans cost $13.49/ per user

Its Business plan costs $30.49/per user

Trello

It uses a Kanban method that includes visual cues to streamline the workflow. Trello will enable the user to create task boards with progress columns. It also helps in moving the tasks based on the status and completion degree of each of the tasks.

Pros

  • It has attractive & customizable Kanban boards
  • It is a part of the popular Atlassian Group
  • Provides a learning curve for new users.

Cons

  • The integrations are necessary for fulfilling complex needs.
  • It may suit large & complex projects
  • No phone support is available

Integration:

Trello can easily integrate with some commonly used communication platforms like Google Meet, Zoom & Slack.

What is the price of Trello?

The Basic Plan of Trello costs $0

Standard plan costs $6 per user

Premium plan costs $12.50 per user

Enterprise plan costs $17.50 per user

Notion

It is a workspace platform that enables the team to build custom dashboards for different contexts. It is best for web designers & engineering teams that value creativity & customization as the core pillars of project management.

Despite a lot of customization options, Notion’s collaboration features are limited for teams that require a constant flow of communication for each recurring task.

Pros

  • Enhanced Free plan
  • Customizable Gantt charts are available.
  • Well-suited for taking notes

Pros

  • Security is strongest only in enterprise plans
  • Lack of advanced project management tool
  • Collaboration features lack improvements.

Integration:

Trello can easily integrate with some commonly used communication platforms like Google Meet, Zoom & Slack.

What is the price of Notion

Free – $0

Plus – $10 per user/month

Business – $18 per user/month

Enterprise – Custom

Hive

It is a project management tool that combines messaging, time tracking & automation with all the standard project management tasks. The best thing about this tool is it updates new features based on user requests generated through the Hive Community Forum.

Pros

  • It provides six work views including the Gantt view
  • Its messenger facilitates easy communication
  • HiveMind Ai capabilities

Cons

  • It lacks built-in resource management
  • Doesn’t allow portfolio level of reporting.
  • Better functionality and features come with more price

Integration:

Hive can integrate with 12 integrations, which is comparatively low compared to other competitors’ offerings.

What is the price of Hive?

The Free Plan of $0

Teams Plans of Hive comes at $18 per user/month

BaseCamp

It is a digital HQ & a project management tool for small businesses. It has a lot of functionality for small businesses but needs more core features for cross-functional collaborations between teams.

Pros

  • It has an easy onboarding process
  • Has centralized message boards
  • Provides powerful basic software management tools

Cons

  • Doesn’t provide Kanban Boards or Gantt Charts
  • Has a limited ability to scale
  • No phone support is available here

Integration:

It has limited integration options available with third-party apps which can provide additional software development & project management features.

What is the price of BaseCamp?

Basecamp $15 per person/month

Basecamp Pro Unlimited $349 per month

Monday .com

Monday .com is a Work Operating system that enables developer-level workflow customization without the need for any coding knowledge. This software offers various templates & tools

Pros

  • It has an engaging & attractive interface
  • Provides a large number of ready-made templates
  • Stronger workflow automation capabilities.

Cons

  • It has limited native-proofing features
  • It has some stability issues reported in the past
  • The display of records can become cluttered & complex.

Integration:

It has limited integration options available with third-party apps that can provide a connection. popular apps like Salesforce, Slack & Google.

What is the price of Monday .com?

Individual Plan $0

Basic Plan $10 per seat/month

Standard Plan $12 per seat/month

Pro Plan $20 per seat/month

Enterprise – Custom

Airtable

Airtable inputs all the utility of spreadsheets into project management by combining it with powerful task management features. By doing so, it stores and displays data, collaborating with the team members & setting up custom automated workflows.

It has lots of useful technical features available for its users.

Pros

  • It has a strong option for data-heavy organizations.
  • Has a familiar UX for all spreadsheet users
  • A customization option is also available

Cons

  • It has a time-consuming learning curve.
  • Has very limited training resources available
  • No proper integration tools available for complex needs

Integration:

It has limited integration options available with third-party apps that can provide a connection. popular apps like Salesforce, Slack & Google.

What is the price of Airtable?

Individual Plan $0

Basic Plan $10 per seat/month

Standard Plan $12 per seat/month

Pro Plan $20 per seat/month

Enterprise – Custom

Jira

Jira originated as a project management tool but now includes Jira Software, Jira Core & Jira Work Management. These tools help companies manage their projects by collaborating with their colleagues to deliver the work.

Pros

  • Provides an advanced search functionality
  • It has a built-in form builder.
  • It has a strong grasp of issue management

Cons

  • It is less suited to IT teams
  • Doesn’t provide native Gantt charts
  • Add-ons need you to incur extra expenses.

Integration:

Jira is a part of Atlassian Group, thus, it provides varied integrations with its sister sites. It’s not very strong with other third-party apps.

What is the price of Jira?

Free Plan $0

Standard Plan $5 per user/month

Enterprise – Custom

Smartsheet

It is a visual-focused project management tool. Smartsheet uses cloud-based spreadsheets & an automated workflow to cater to different teams & contexts.

If you find data handling & technical processes easier, using smart sheets can be invaluable for you.

Pros

  • Familiar with Excel users
  • There are multiple templates available
  • Automation for workflow is available

Pros

  • It provides very limited viewing options
  • Data is not updated in real-time
  • Some add-ons can incur extra expenses

Integration:

Smarsheet has good connections with the best sought-after apps, it also enables additional integration options

What is the price of Jira?

Free Plan $0

Standard Plan $5 per user/month

Enterprise – Custom

Now, let’s understand the features of all the 10 project management tools in detail

Now, let’s understand some of the communication tools to use while managing a software development project

5 Best Communication tools for Managing Software Development Project

Google-Suite

Google Suite or G-Suite is a set of tools used by businesses for collaboration & communication. It’s a combination of various Google tools that you already use for your project management. Tools like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs & Google Meet are some of the powerhouse tools available in G Suite.

Integration:

It can easily integrate with Zpier, Gmail, Bitium and Google Calendar

What is the price of a G Suite?

Basic G Suite Starts from $5 per month to $50 per month

G Suite enterprise plan is $25 per month

Free Trial available

Slack

It is a virtual office. Slack is a modern-day communication tool that allows you to create communication channels to keep room for professional & friendly conversations.  It allows you to create project-specific chat rooms to streamline communication flow during the project management process.

Integration:

It can easily integrate with Zoom, Clickup, etc.

What is the price of Slack?

Basic Plan Free

Pro Plan $7.25

Business Plan: $12.50

Zoom

Zoom is the best video conferencing tool for managing remote teams. It also allows you to manage a large group of professionals in one meeting room. As per one report, 94% of business entities have found an increase in productivity by using this video conferencing tool.

Integration:

It can easily integrate with Dropbox. HubSpot CRM, Slack, Zapier, etc.

What is the price of Zoom?

Basic Plan Free

Pro Plan $14.99

Business Plan: $19.99

Skype

It is an enterprise-level communication tool that helps employees connect to anyone from everywhere. Skype allows you the feature to directly call a person on their cell phone.

Integration:

It can easily integrate with Bitium, Microsoft Outlook, Slack, etc.

What is the price of Zoom?

Basic Plan Free

The Basic plan of Skype is Free

Whereas, its premium features can cost €3.49 per month.

Yammer

Yammer brings every IT professional under one social network. It also allows us to connect & communicate faster with each team member.

Integration:

It can easily integrate with GitHub, Microsoft Office 365 etc.

What is the price of Zoom?

Basic $8.25 /user/month

Premium Plan $12.50 user/month

Free Trial Available

Wrapping Up!

Any organization can build a remote team by hiring remote developers for smoother project control. By leveraging software development outsourcing services organizations can achieve cost-effective software solutions. By using this practice, organizations can also reduce costs borne by lengthy hiring processes. Using these services, organizations can scale up or scale down their team based on the project requirements in the long term.