# 11 best resource management software for schedules and plans

> Compare the best resource management software for capacity planning, scheduling, forecasting, and workload management. Learn how to choose the right tool.

Source: https://asana.com/resources/best-resource-management-software

## The 11 best resource management software tools for scheduling, capacity, and forecasting

#### Key takeaways:

Resource management software helps you manage people’s time and capacity across projects; this comparison focuses on project and team resourcing, distinct from ERP and HR software.

For simple visual scheduling, start with Float or Resource Guru. If you need staffing tied to professional-services financials, consider Kantata or Productive. For resource management connected to your projects and everyday work, explore Asana, monday.com, or Smartsheet.

_Evaluated October 2026. Asana wrote this comparison and assessed every tool using the same criteria, including where a dedicated tool offers a better fit._The best resource management software depends on what you need to manage: shifting project schedules, billable utilization and margins, or workloads alongside everyday tasks. 

These resource management tools serve different needs, so start with the category that matches your biggest challenge. A team trying to prevent overbooking will have different priorities from a consultancy forecasting project profitability. Compare the capabilities you need, the plan that includes them, and the total cost for your team.

**Your shortlist by use case:**
- **Dedicated scheduling:** Float / Resource Guru
- **Professional services:** Kantata / Productive
- **Work-management platforms:** Asana / monday.com / Smartsheet

_Asana wrote this guide. We last reviewed every tool in October 2026 and held Asana to the same criteria as the rest, including the areas where another type of tool does better._

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## The 11 best resource management software, compared

Compare resource management tools by category, use case, and starting price. Prices are in USD per user or per resource per month, billed annually unless noted otherwise. Featured capabilities may require higher plans or add-ons, as indicated. Pricing checked October, 2026.

**Tool**

**Bucket**

**Best for**

**Standout / AI**

**Entry price**

**Asana**

Work-management

Resource management connected to the work

Workload + Capacity over real project data; AI Teammates surface over-allocation

Free for two users; Starter: $10.99. Resource management starts on Advanced: $24.99.

**Wrike**

Work-management

Enterprise cross-functional workload balancing

Workload charts; time tracking; Wrike AI

Team: $10; Business: $25.

**Smartsheet**

Work-management

Spreadsheet-style portfolio resourcing

Grid + Gantt; resource management add-on

Pro: $9; Business: $19.

**ClickUp**

Work-management

All-in-one work + workload views

Workload/box views; Brain (AI extra)

Unlimited: $7; Business: $12.

**monday.com**

Work-management

Visual workload inside customizable boards

Workload view; monday AI

Basic: $9; Standard: $12; Pro: $19.

**Float**

Dedicated

Visual project scheduling for agencies/studios

Drag-and-drop timeline; capacity vs budget

Starter: $7; Pro: $12.

**Resource Guru**

Dedicated

Simple people/equipment/room scheduling

Clash management; leave; utilization heatmaps

Grasshopper: $5, equipment and other resources: $2.50 each. Blackbelt: $8; Master: $12.

**Runn**

Dedicated

Resource forecasting & “what-if” planning

Placeholder resources; long-term capacity model

Lite: $7; Standard: $11.

**Kantata**

PSA / financial

Professional-services firms billing time

Utilization, margins, financials, skills-match

Contact sales for a tailored quote.

**Productive**

PSA / financial

Agencies wanting resourcing + profitability

Resourcing + budgets + billing in one

Essential: $10; Professional: $25.

**Mosaic**

PSA / capacity

AI-assisted capacity & staffing

AI staffing suggestions; workload balance

Contact sales; annual per-seat subscription plus platform and implementation fees.

## What counts as a resource management tool

Resource management software helps teams plan people’s time and adjust assignments across projects. This guide focuses on project and team resourcing. ERP systems cover broader business operations, including assets and finance; HR software supports people operations.

Four pillars guide the comparison:
- **Capacity management:** Resource capacity planning software helps you compare upcoming demand with available time before committing your team.
- **Skills tracking:** Match assignments to relevant experience and capabilities.
- **Time tracking and forecasting:** Compare estimates with actual hours to anticipate staffing needs.
- **Scenario planning:** Explore how new projects, delays, or hiring could affect capacity.

Each of these capabilities support[resource allocation](/resources/resource-allocation) and[resource leveling](/resources/resource-leveling) as project demands change.

### How we compared these tools

We chose 11 tools that help US teams plan capacity, schedule people, allocate work, or forecast demand. To help you narrow your options, we organized them into three categories: dedicated schedulers, professional services automation (PSA) platforms that connect staffing with financials, and work-management platforms with resource features.

We compared each tool against the four pillars above, plus scheduling flexibility, AI, integrations, and the cost of required upgrades and add-ons. We used vendor documentation and published pricing, with dated sources you can check. We didn’t run hands-on competitor tests; our “best for” recommendations reflect editorial judgment informed by those sources.

We grouped the 11 tools by category so you can start with your use case and compare relevant options. Their order doesn’t indicate an overall ranking.

### What each tool's AI does, and whether you pay extra

AI features serve different purposes, from matching people to assignments to summarizing project information and automating planning tasks. The table below explains what each tool does and how vendors bill for it. We checked vendor documentation and pricing in October 2026, and list prices in USD per user or resource per month, with annual billing unless we note otherwise.

**Tool**

**What the AI does**

**Included or extra**

**Plan required**

**Price basics**

Asana

AI Teammates and Dash work with project context, while AI Studio automates workflows to support resource decisions.

Included allowances; additional requests and credits cost extra

Starter and above; resource features have separate plan requirements

Five requests per user/month, capped at 50 per account on Starter/Advanced and 250 on Enterprise/Enterprise+. Extra requests: $0.50 prepaid or $0.60 pay-as-you-go. AI Studio includes monthly credits.

Wrike

Summarizes work updates and highlights information that can inform workload reviews; Copilot and agents provide additional assistance.

AI Essentials included, subject to fair use; AI Elite allowances and optional action packs

Team and above for Essentials; Business and above for Elite

Wrike pools Elite actions per account. Allowances depend on the plan and seat count. Additional packs are available.

Smartsheet 

Smart Assist analyzes project data, surfaces risks, and helps update assignments through natural-language requests.

Smart Assist included; external AI services may have separate charges

Pro and above for Smart Assist; Business and above for external AI connections

Included in the eligible subscription; broader Resource Management capabilities are a separate add-on.

ClickUp

Brain answers questions about workspace information and summarizes work to support planning decisions.

Paid AI packages beyond trial access

Brain AI or Everything AI package

Brain AI starts at $9/user/month; Everything AI starts at $28/user/month with annual billing. Usage allowances apply.

monday.com

Sidekick uses work context to answer questions and assist with tasks; AI columns automate board-level work.

Plan-based AI credits; additional credits cost extra

Basic and above for Sidekick; Standard and above for AI columns

monday.com pools credits by account. Included quantities and available AI tools vary by plan.

Float 

Builds experience profiles from project history to help planners identify people with relevant expertise.

Included on eligible plans

Pro or Enterprise

Pro starts at $12 per scheduled person/month, billed annually. Float lists no separate charge for experience profiles

Resource Guru

Connects external AI assistants to read-only scheduling data for questions about availability, utilization, and upcoming leave.

AI connection included; external assistant charges may apply

Any Resource Guru plan, plus a compatible AI tool

Resource Guru subscription plus any fees charged by the external AI provider.

Runn

SmartMatch AI recommends people for assignments based on skills and availability.

Listed within Advanced; beta availability applies

Advanced

Custom per-resource subscription pricing; confirm beta access and usage terms with sales.

Kantata

Resourcing Agent analyzes staffing data and surfaces risks in scheduling, budget, and resources.

Confirm AI inclusion with sales

Kantata AI activation and appropriate account permissions

Custom quote; public pricing does not specify a separate AI rate or allowance.

Productive 

Generates reports and project summaries, and helps manage time entries to support utilization and staffing reviews.

Core AI included; advanced features depend on plan

All plans for core AI; Ultimate for agents

Core AI has no separate fee. You can track monthly AI usage against your account limits.

Mosaic 

Chello answers planning questions, helps build teams, and prepares workload and staffing briefs.

Chello Base included; Chello Pro costs extra

Standard or Enterprise; Base currently available to admins

Base includes monthly credits. Pro costs $50/user/month, billed monthly, with a higher allowance and additional credits available.

## 1. Asana

**Best for resource management connected to your work**

A new project lands and your busiest teammate gets another request. Asana helps you see how those changes affect the people doing the work. Workload shows assignments and effort across projects so you can rebalance current workloads. For longer-term staffing decisions, Capacity Planning—a separate Enterprise feature—helps you prepare for upcoming demand.
- **Where it's strong:** Asana connects spotting a capacity problem with acting on it. Workload helps you identify overloaded teammates, then reassign tasks and adjust schedules where your team tracks delivery. The Capacity Planner [AI Teammate](/product/ai/ai-teammates)can also surface potential over-allocation and model how staffing changes could affect upcoming work.
- **Where it falls short:** Asana centers resource planning on project execution. Services firms that prioritize client billing and margin management should also evaluate dedicated PSA tools.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.4 out of 5 based on 14,180 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/asana/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:** Teams coordinating shared resources across projects and departments, with clear visibility into who can take on work and how assignments support team goals.
- **Choose something else if:** Your main requirement is a standalone booking calendar or services financials. Explore Float for dedicated scheduling or Kantata for staffing tied to profitability.
- **How it uses AI:** Asana Dash surfaces project priorities and next steps, while AI Studio automates workflow steps such as classifying and routing requests. Separately, Workload shows assignments and effort so you can spot overloaded teammates and rebalance work.
- **Pricing:** Free, Starter $10.99/user/month billed annually; workload for projects in a portfolio on Advanced ($24.99); universal resource management, capacity planning and placeholder profiles on Enterprise. Checked on asana.com/pricing on October 15, 2026.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Asana Resource Management](https://asana.com/features/resource-management)_;_[Resource Planning](https://asana.com/uses/resource-planning)_), published pricing (_[Asana pricing](https://asana.com/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._
- [Explore resource management in Asana](/features/resource-management)

## 2. Wrike

**Best for enterprise resource coordination across departments**

Marketing needs design support, operations has a deadline, and both are counting on the same people. Wrike brings project delivery and resource planning into a configurable platform so teams can coordinate that shared workload. Pinnacle adds advanced capacity planning, role management, and budgeting.
- **Where it's strong:**Resource decisions can sit alongside project reporting and financial tracking, giving larger teams a connected planning environment.
- **Where it falls short:**G2 reviewers report a learning curve, making setup and training important considerations.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.2 out of 5 based on 4,545 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/wrike/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:**Organizations managing complex projects across departments with an owner for platform configuration.
- **Choose something else if:**Your main requirement is a straightforward availability calendar.
- **How it uses AI:** AI Essentials summarizes comment threads on tasks and projects, helping you catch up on discussions. Wrike Copilot answers questions about project data and generates summaries, while AI agents can flag overdue or blocked tasks and post updates.
- **Pricing:**Team starts at $10/user/month annually; Business starts at $25/user/month annually. Pinnacle resource-planning pricing requires a quote.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Wrike Overview](https://www.wrike.com/tour/)_), published pricing (_[Wrike pricing](https://www.wrike.com/price-vag/)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._
- [Compare Asana vs. Wrike](/compare/asana-vs-wrike)

## 3. Smartsheet

**Best for spreadsheet-style portfolio resourcing**

Smartsheet combines familiar grid-based project tracking with workload visibility. Its Resource Management add-on extends planning to capacity, skills-based assignments, time tracking, and project budgets.
- **Where it's strong:** Teams can connect staffing decisions to project information while retaining a spreadsheet-style workflow.
- **Where it falls short:** Deeper resource planning adds a separate product and cost beyond the core subscription.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.4 out of 5 based on 24,521 reviews](https://www.g2.com/sellers/smartsheet) (as of October 2026) 
- **Best for:**Project management offices (PMOs) and operations teams comfortable organizing project data in sheets and reports.
- **Choose something else if:** You want a dedicated scheduling tool with one clearly priced subscription. 
- **How it uses AI:** Smart Assist answers questions about project data, surfaces risks, and helps update work.
- **Pricing:** Pro starts at $9/member/month annually. Business costs $19 and includes workload tracking; Resource Management costs extra.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Smartsheet Overview](https://www.smartsheet.com/platform?srsltid=AYCX9vJZCtD_d5e2pXNnqmrBB7PMMk4IFgoDEthvMAffaTccFmeccyue)_), published pricing (_[Smartsheet pricing](https://www.smartsheet.com/pricing?srsltid=AYCX9vKEaC3dWh4sQTFo6GCwxXMAOQcb2kqZQotiLE1k0kAiEyTLr--b)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._
- [Compare Asana vs. Smartsheet](/compare/asana-vs-smartsheet)

## 4. ClickUp

**Best for combining task management and workload views**

ClickUp brings tasks, time tracking, and resource views into one workspace. Teams can use workload information alongside project details to review assignments and adjust schedules.
- **Where it's strong:** Managers can move between task execution and capacity reviews without maintaining a separate scheduling platform.
- **Where it falls short:** ClickUp caps Workload usage on Free and Unlimited plans. Unrestricted use requires Business or higher.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.6 out of 5 based on 15,277 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/clickup/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:** Teams seeking visibility into resources within a broader task-management workspace.
- **Choose something else if:** You mainly need visual scheduling and want fewer workspace features to configure; consider Float.
- **How it uses AI:** Brain answers workspace questions and summarizes work, helping managers gather context before making assignment changes.
- **Pricing:** Free plan available; Unlimited costs $7/user/month annually. Business, with unlimited Workload usage, costs $12.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[ClickUp Features](https://clickup.com/features)_), published pricing (_[ClickUp pricing](https://clickup.com/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._
- [Compare Asana vs. ClickUp](/compare/asana-vs-clickup)

## 5. monday.com

**Best for visual workload management through customizable boards**

monday work management organizes assignments in customizable boards. Workload views help teams assess capacity, while Enterprise adds broader resource-management capabilities across projects.
- **Where it's strong:** Teams can shape boards around their own processes and review workload alongside deadlines and project status.
- **Where it falls short:** Buyers must account for plan requirements and AI credit costs when estimating their total subscription.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.7 out of 5 based on 17,270 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/monday-com/reviews) (as of October 2026) 
- **Best for:** Teams that want resource views within configurable project boards.
- **Choose something else if:** You primarily need dedicated availability and booking management; compare Resource Guru.
- **How it uses AI:** Sidekick assists with work using board context, while AI columns automate repetitive board-level tasks.
- **Pricing:** Basic starts at $9/seat/month; Standard at $12/seat/month; Pro at $19/seat/month. 

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[monday.com Support](https://monday.com/blog/productivity/resource-management/)_), published pricing (_[monday.com pricing](https://monday.com/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._
- [Compare Asana vs. monday.com](/compare/asana-vs-monday-com)

## 6. Float

**Best for visual project scheduling for agencies and studios**

A client moves a deadline, another project needs a designer, and someone’s out next week. Float gives delivery teams a shared schedule to work through those competing demands. Capacity and time-off information help you check who’s available before committing people to new work.
- **Where it's strong:** Resource scheduling, project scoping, and capacity management are core Starter features, making scheduling the workflow's center.
- **Where it falls short:** Teams that want AI-driven experience profiles, time tracking, and deeper financial reporting need Pro.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.3 out of 5 based on 2,160 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/float-com/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:** Agencies and studios allocating people across shifting client projects.
- **Choose something else if:** Your main challenge is coordinating task dependencies and approvals; evaluate Asana alongside your scheduling requirements.
- **How it uses AI:**Experience profiles use project history to help planners identify people with relevant expertise.
- **Pricing:** Starter costs $7 per scheduled person per month; Pro costs $12. People on the schedule count as paid seats even without account access.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Float](https://www.float.com/)_), published pricing (_[Float pricing](https://www.float.com/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._

## 7. Resource Guru

**Best for scheduling people, equipment, and meeting rooms**

Resource Guru focuses on resource booking across people and non-human assets. Teams can coordinate availability and leave while using clash management to identify scheduling conflicts.
- **Where it's strong:** People, rooms, and equipment can share one scheduling system, with separate pricing for non-human resources.
- **Where it falls short:** Grasshopper excludes reporting; heatmaps, timesheets, and reporting require a higher plan.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.6 out of 5 based on 496 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/resource-guru/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:** Operations teams needing practical booking visibility across staff and shared assets.
- **Choose something else if:** Staffing decisions depend on detailed services profitability; evaluate Kantata or Productive.
- **How it uses AI:**An Model Context Protocol (MCP) connection lets external AI assistants read scheduling data to answer questions about availability, utilization, and leave. This access is read-only: the assistant can retrieve information, but it can’t change bookings, reassign people, or update leave.
- **Pricing:** Grasshopper lists $5/person/month on monthly billing, with annual discounts. Non-human resources cost $2.50 each monthly. Blackbelt plan is $8/person/month and Master is $12/person/month. 

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Resource Guru](https://resourceguruapp.com/)_), published pricing (_[Resource Guru pricing](https://resourceguruapp.com/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._

## 8. Runn

**Best for resource forecasting and what-if planning**

Runn connects staffing schedules with capacity and demand. Tentative projects and placeholder resources help planners explore upcoming work before you confirm every assignment or hiring decision.
- **Where it's strong:**Capacity and utilization charts provide visibility into potential staffing gaps across the project pipeline.
- **Where it falls short:** Saved scenarios, integrations, and AI matching have different plan requirements, so buyers should check their complete planning workflow.
- **G2 Rating:**[4.5 out of 5, based on one review](https://www.g2.com/products/runn-runn/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:**Resource managers modeling future demand and possible staffing changes.
- **Choose something else if:**Your priority is detailed daily task collaboration; evaluate Asana.
- **How it uses AI:**SmartMatch AI, currently in beta, recommends people for project assignments based on their skills and availability, helping you identify suitable teammates to staff upcoming work.
- **Pricing:** Lite starts at $7 per resource seat/month; Standard at $11. Monthly and annual billing are available; confirm the selected term before purchase.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Runn](https://www.runn.io/)_;_[Features](https://www.runn.io/features)_), published pricing (_[Runn pricing](https://www.runn.io/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._

## 9. Kantata

**Best for professional-services firms billing time**

Kantata connects resource management to professional services delivery. Its planning tools consider availability and skills alongside project demand, utilization, and financial performance.
- **Where it's strong:** Services firms can compare staffing options, forecast resource needs, and assess how allocation decisions affect profitability.
- **Where it falls short:** Kantata’s services-focused scope may exceed the needs of internal teams seeking basic workload visibility.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.2 out of 5 based on 1,575 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/kantata-professional-services-automation-formerly-mavenlink-kimble/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:** Consultancies and services organizations coordinating billable people across client engagements.
- **Choose something else if:** You need an availability calendar without service financials; evaluate Resource Guru.
- **How it uses AI:**The Resourcing Agent analyzes project and staffing data to flag potential budget overruns, scheduling conflicts, and resource allocation issues. To use the agent, you’ll need to activate Kantata AI and give it permission to access the project and staffing information it needs to analyze.
- **Pricing:** Contact sales. Kantata tailors plans to your company size, goals, and requirements.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Kantata](https://www.kantata.com/)_), published pricing (_[Kantata pricing](https://www.kantata.com/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._

## 10. Productive

**Best for agency resourcing connected to budgets and billing**

Productive combines resource planning, project management, and financial tracking for agencies and consultancies. Teams can connect staffing schedules with time entries and project budgets.
- **Where it's strong:** Productive includes resource planning, budgeting, and time tracking in Essential, bringing core services operations together.
- **Where it falls short:** Its financial workflows may add unnecessary scope for internal teams that do not manage client engagements.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.6 out of 5 based on 88 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/productive/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:** Agencies wanting to understand staffing commitments alongside project profitability.
- **Choose something else if:** You only need visual booking and availability management; compare Float or Resource Guru.
- **How it uses AI:**AI assists with project summaries, report creation, and time-entry management, helping teams review delivery information.
- **Pricing:** Essential starts at $10/user/month annually. Professional is $25/user/month annually.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Productive](https://productive.io/)_), published pricing (_[Productive pricing](https://productive.io/pricing/)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._

## **11. Mosaic**

**Best for AI-assisted staffing and capacity planning**

Mosaic connects workload, staffing, and forecasting for project-based firms. Its planning views help leaders review capacity alongside revenue and headcount requirements.
- **Where it's strong:** Chello, Mosaic’s AI assistant, works across planning data to answer questions, help build teams, and prepare staffing briefs.
- **Where it falls short:** Subscription, platform, and implementation fees make total cost more involved than a basic scheduling subscription.
- **G2 Rating:** [4.4 out of 5, based on 14 reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/mosaicapp-inc-mosaic/reviews) (as of October 2026)
- **Best for:** Firms investing in coordinated staffing forecasts and ongoing planning processes.
- **Choose something else if:** You need a straightforward booking tool with published entry pricing; evaluate Resource Guru.
- **How it uses AI:**Chello answers planning questions, matches roles, drafts plans, and supports workload and staffing analysis.
- **Pricing:** Contact sales. Annual pricing includes per-seat and platform fees. Mosaic scopes implementation separately.

**Evidence:**_Vendor documentation (_[Mosaic](https://www.mosaicapp.com/)_;_[Overview](https://support.mosaicapp.com/en/articles/459-overview)_), published pricing (_[Mosaic pricing](https://www.mosaicapp.com/pricing)_), and third-party reviews (G2); checked October 2026._

## How to choose the right resource management software

Choosing resource planning software starts with fit. The right tool should align with your team's resourcing needs.

### **Start with your use case**

If you’re working out how to choose resource management software, start with the problem you need to solve. Preventing double bookings calls for different capabilities than forecasting billable utilization. Decide if you need dedicated scheduling, professional-services financials, or resource visibility within your work platform.

**Question**

**What to consider**

Do you mainly need to see who’s available and prevent overbooking?

Start with a dedicated scheduler such as Float or Resource Guru. Check how easily you can adjust bookings when plans change.

Do you bill clients and need utilization, margins, and forecasting?

Evaluate Kantata or Productive for resource planning connected to project financials.

Do you want resourcing where the work already lives?

Consider Asana, monday.com, or Smartsheet. Confirm which plan includes the workload and capacity features you need.

How big is the team, and how complex the portfolio?

Small teams may prioritize simple setup. Larger organizations should assess permissions, department views, and portfolio reporting.

Do you need to schedule non-human resources (rooms, equipment)?

Include Resource Guru in your shortlist and check how the vendor prices non-human resources.

Where do you need help from AI?

Check how each tool uses AI: to recommend people for assignments, summarize project updates, or automate workflow steps. Test the AI capability that addresses your team’s needs.

What’s your budget?

Review required plans, paid seats, resource licenses, AI usage, and implementation fees.

### **Choose resource scheduling software for your workflow**

When choosing a resource management tool for agencies or internal teams, narrow your shortlist around a typical planning decision.

**If this sounds like you…**

**Start here**

Agency/studio scheduling people across shifting projects

Resource Guru

Consultancy billing time, tracking margins and utilization

Kantata or Productive

Team wanting resource visibility inside the work platform

Asana

Enterprise PMO managing a complex portfolio

Smartsheet or Wrike

Long-range staffing / “what-if” forecasting

Runn

## How to implement your resource planning tool

Give each of your shortlisted tools the same realistic scenario: a delayed project, an unavailable teammate, and a new request. Check how clearly each shows the impact on[resource scheduling](/uses/resource-scheduling) and[capacity planning](/uses/capacity-planning).
- **Explain the purpose.** Tell the team which planning problem the tool should solve and what success looks like.
- **Prepare your data.** Confirm working hours, time off, project dates, and effort estimates.
- **Assign an owner.** Make someone responsible for setup, data quality, and questions.
- **Pilot core features.** Start with one team and a few active projects.
- **Refine with feedback.** Review planning accuracy and administrative effort before expanding.

## Choose the tool that fits how you resource

Start with the decision your team needs to make each week. If you need to book available people across projects, check out Float or Resource Guru. If staffing decisions depend on billable utilization and project margins, consider Kantata or Productive.

If you want to balance workloads alongside the projects your team manages, look into Asana. Bring a few active projects into one portfolio, review assignments, and see where work needs to shift. Choose the plan that includes the resource features you need, then test it with your team’s actual planning routine.

#### Asana

Go from reactive to proactive with a work platform that fits your future
- [Learn more](/create-account)
- [Learn more](/create-account)

## Resource management software FAQs

#### What’s the best tool for resource management?

Choose Float for visual scheduling, Resource Guru for booking people and equipment, or Kantata for staffing connected to services financials. Asana fits teams that want workload visibility alongside project execution.

#### Is resource management software the same as ERP or HR software?

No. Resource management software helps you plan people’s capacity and assignments across projects. ERP systems manage broader operations, including finance and assets, while HR software supports employee records and people operations.

#### What is the best free resource management software?

ClickUp offers limited free Workload usage. Asana Personal is free for two users, but Workload requires a paid plan. Compare feature limits against your scheduling needs before choosing.

#### Can teams use Asana for resource management and capacity planning?

Yes. Asana supports resource and [capacity planning](/uses/capacity-planning-software) through Workload and Enterprise Capacity Planning. Its[resource management features](/features/resource-management) help teams identify overload and adjust assignments. Consider Float for dedicated scheduling or Kantata for services financials.

#### What’s the difference between resource management and resource planning software?

[Resource planning](/uses/resource-planning) helps you anticipate demand and assign capacity for upcoming projects. Resource management includes the ongoing work of scheduling, tracking utilization, and adjusting assignments throughout delivery.

#### How much does resource management software cost?

Options range from free plans to custom enterprise pricing. Some dedicated tools start around 5–10 per person or resource monthly. Compare billing schedules, required plans, implementation fees, and AI charges in our pricing table.

#### What features should resource management software have?

Look for capacity management, skills tracking, time tracking and forecasting, and scenario planning. Also, check scheduling flexibility, integrations, permissions, and the total cost of the features your team needs.

- [Project management](/resources/project-management)

- [10 best agile project management software tools, compared](/resources/best-agile-project-management-software)

Project management

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Project management

Collaboration

Productivity

Project planning

Goals

Agile

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Project management

#### Contributor

Asana’s State of Work Innovation research found that 83% of workers said slow approval processes sometimes delayed their work. Preparing a project for review starts with giving st ...

- [Root cause analysis: Digging to find effective solutions](/resources/root-cause-analysis-template)

Project management

#### Contributor

A missed deadline, service failure, or drop in performance can all have multiple plausible explanations. This root cause analysis template guides your team through investigating t ...

- [The 11 best resource management software tools for scheduling, capacity, and forecasting](/resources/best-resource-management-software)

Project management

#### Contributor

The best resource management software depends on what you need to manage: shifting project schedules, billable utilization and margins, or workloads alongside everyday tasks. Thes ...

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