Managing complex, data-driven projects can be a tough task for even the most experienced database developers. Luckily, many project management software solutions can help database developers stay in touch with stakeholders and stay organized while managing all those moving parts. This guide will reveal some of those top PM solutions to make your life as a database programmer or database administrator easier.
Project Management Tools For Database Programmers and Administrators
What should a database developer or database administrator look for in project management software? Something that offers a complete feature set that hopefully includes capabilities for the following:
- Collaboration
- Project planning
- Scheduling
- File sharing
- Reporting
- Resource allocation
- Budgeting
- Time tracking
- Integrations with third-party tools
Here are some examples of PM software for database developers and db admins that offer such functionality in one form or another.
Asana Project Management Tool
Asana boasts that it is the number one PM software solution available. That is a lofty claim, but when you have over 100,000 companies worldwide using your product (including NASA, the New York Times, and General Electric), such a statement may not seem so far-fetched.
What makes Asana so desirable to so many companies and database developers? A massive set of features that includes:
- Project and task management
- Multiple views (calendar, Kanban, timeline, list)
- Task dependencies
- Customizability (templates, dashboards, fields, charts)
- Workload management
- Collaboration tools (conversations, comments, private messages)
Asana’s list of features does not end there, though, as the project management software also offers database developers and database administrators a workflow builder for automated processes, bug tracking, sprint planning, feedback, roadmaps, real-time reporting, app integrations, and budget tracking. Best of all, Asana has a free plan that is tough to top.
You can learn more by reading our Asana Project Management Software Review.
Jira
It is tough to make a list of the top project management tools for database developers without including Jira. Why? Because Jira has plenty of features to help development teams collaborate and boost productivity. Some of Jira’s features include:
- Support for Agile software development
- Highly scalable
- Developer templates for software development projects
- Drag-and-drop automations
- DevOps tools
Jira is particularly Agile-friendly for development teams that follow the popular project management methodology, and it is also flexible, scalable, secure, and highly customizable with its boards, filters, and workflows. The software offers project templates for developers, multiple views, drag-and-drop automation, open DevOps to give teams all the tools they need in one spot, reporting (sprint reports, burnup and burndown charts, version reports, etc.), and integrations with third-party apps. And, regardless of your database development team’s size, Jira should suffice as it is built to handle between one to 20,000 members.
Learn more by checking out our Jira Project Management Tool Review.
TeamGantt
TeamGantt is project management software that has an intuitive interface and is easy to use. It has the following features database developers looking to track their projects:
- Gantt Charts
- Software development and bug tracking templates
- Communication tools
- Visualization tools
- Zapier integrations
Even beginners unfamiliar with Gantt charts can start using the software with minimal fuss, but if they cannot, it offers plenty of startup guides, classes, and tutorials to help along the way. TeamGantt also has several templates to minimize onboarding time, such as product roadmap, bug report and issue tracking, product backlog, software development plan, and so forth.
Database developers can use TeamGantt to collaborate via an inbox, sticky notes, task comments, and team dashboards. It also has plenty of views to fit unique visualization needs (Gantt charts, calendar, list, portfolio, planned vs. actual timeline). And, if you need to extend its functionality, project managers can do so with TeamGantt’s over 5,000 integrations via Zapier.
Learn more in our TeamGantt PM Software Review.
Teamwork
Teamwork is PM software that helps database developers collaborate with colleagues and clients in the same space where they manage tasks and projects. The all-in-one solution is easy to use right out of the gate and has plenty of templates for a quick start. Features include:
- Timesheets
- Budget and expense tracking
- Excellent Free version
- File sharing and collaboration
Database developers can collaborate in Teamwork via messaging, followers, and file sharing, plus they can enjoy several financial features, such as budgeting, expense tracking, and invoicing. Out of all the PM software for database developers, Teamwork has one of the best free versions.
You can read more about Teamwork’s features in our Teamwork Project Management Review.
Smartsheet
Are you a database developer who prefers working with spreadsheets via Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and the like? Then Smartsheet may be the ideal project management software for you. Yes, it does have a bit of a learning curve and may not be as “modernized” as other PM software due to its spreadsheet foundation, but Smartsheet has several features that can help make database devs’ lives easier, including:
- Collaboration via messenger and notes
- File sharing
- Advanced security
- Drag and drop automations and workflows
- Resource management
Database development teams, project managers, and database administrators can collaborate in Smartsheet through conversations, file sharing, notes, and more. The security is top-notch, too, thanks to single sign-on, two-factor authentication, secure data centers, and more.
Developers can save time and boost efficiency with Smartsheet’s drag-and-drop automations for creating advanced workflows, and it also makes it a breeze to generate reports with real-time data to share with stakeholders. Smartsheet also offers tools for budgeting and forecasting, plus portfolio and resource management.
Read our Smartsheet Project Management Software Review for more information on features and pricing.
Zoho Projects
Are you a project manager in charge of a smaller team of database developers? Then Zoho Projects’ affordable pricing may fit your needs, as even its Premium plan costs just $5 per user, per month. Zoho Projects’ features include:
- Easy to learn and setup
- Customizations
- Gantt Charts and Kanban Boards
- Forums
- Resource management and resource allocation
Zoho Projects has an interface that is minimalistic and easy to use, plus a customizable dashboard. The software offers drag-and-drop Gantt charts, task lists, Kanban boards, an integrated timer, and resource management. It also has bug tracking and collaboration through forums, audio/video chat, an activity feed, and more.
Learn more by reading our Zoho Project Review.
Backlog
Backlog is a favorite of many database development teams and project managers for its wide variety of features, including:
- Code management
- Bug tracking
- Wiki functionality
- Gantt Charts
- Kanban boards
You can use Backlog to manage code, software projects and track bugs and issues. Some of Backlog’s highlights include collaboration (file sharing, feedback, wikis, comments, etc.), version control, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, the ability to create subtasks, and integrations with many popular third-party apps. Despite its full set of features, Backlog is user-friendly.
And, if you are looking for PM software on a limited budget, Backlog can help with its superb free version and pricing flexibility on premium plans.
Check out our Backlog Project Management Review for more information.
LiquidPlanner
Database developers and project managers with advanced technical knowledge that do not mind a bit of onboarding investment may find LiquidPlanner right up their alley as a project management solution. It has tutorials and an onboarding service to help you get started, plus templates to save time. Other features include:
- Predictive scheduling
- Multiple views and visualizations
- Excellent free version
- Time tracking and time sheets
- Project forecasts
Time invested in getting familiar with LiquidPlanner is time well spent since the PM software has tons of tools for managing even the most complex (or multiple) projects. Planning projects becomes simpler and more precise with LiquidPlanner’s predictive scheduling and forecasting. There are multiple board views to appease different tastes for visualizing data. And if you upgrade to one of the premium plans, you can enjoy robust time tracking.
Is a premium plan not in your budget? Then use LiquidPlanner’s free offering. It offers everything from the paid Essentials plan, but on a smaller scale that should suffice for freelancers or database teams with fewer members.
Read our LiquidPlanner Review for more.
Airtable
Airtable may not be the most feature-rich PM software on the market, but it offers enough to make our list of solutions for database developers. It is user-friendly and fun to use, thanks to the eye-catching interface. As a bonus, you can customize the interface to your liking with a drag-and-drop builder. Other features include:
- Project templates
- Timeline, Calendar, and Form views
- Resource allocation
Database devs can get quickly started with ready-to-go project templates, and there are plenty of views that offer flexibility for visualizing data and progress (Kanban, Gantt, timeline, grid, gallery, calendar, form). Airtable saves time by letting database developers automate everyday tasks, and it lets them track time for proper resource allocation.
Other Airtable highlights include collaboration tools (team dashboards, file sharing, comments), budgeting, reports, solid security, and integrations with over 1,000 apps and websites. And if your database team is on a budget, you will be glad to know that Airtable has a generous free plan with basic features to stay organized and productive.
You can learn more about Airtable’s pricing and features in our Airtable Project Management Review.
Other Project Management Software for Developers
Looking for even more options for your project management needs? Check out our Project Management Tools and Software for Developers guide for more PM solutions.