MS Project vs Asana vs Fluid: The complete comparison

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As PMO leaders, you're not just choosing a tool; you're architecting your team's future in efficiency and collaboration by enabling them with software technology that empowers strategic change and delivers business value.  

This comparison of MS Project vs Asana vs Fluid isn't just about listing features; it's an exploration of how these platforms function when tested in real-world scenarios. The challenge? Cutting through the noise of similar claims, understanding the practical application of each management capability, and navigating the intricacies of team transition and internal buy-in.

Our guide is crafted to provide clear, actionable insights and tips for managing your project portfolio, helping you make a well-informed decision in choosing the right project management software. Let's dive into this detailed comparison and see how these tools stack up.

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At a glance: Asana vs MS Project vs Fluid

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Key Capabilities: Microsoft Project vs Asana vs Fluid

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MS Project

Microsoft Project Online is a popular tool for planning projects and managing resources. It is versatile and useful, especially if you already use Microsoft products.

Advanced project scheduling - offers tools to map out intricate project timelines, enhancing the precision of long-term planning.

Resource management and allocation - stay on top of your resources and budgets, crucial for handling complex projects without losing track.

Integration with Microsoft ecosystem - seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft tools, so you can smoothly create a hassle-free, unified user workflow.

Customisable reporting - play around with extensive reporting option, which enables users to tailor reports to specific project needs.

Portfolio management - handles multiple projects and portfolios, making it ideal for organisations juggling diverse project needs.

Asana

Asana stands out for its user-friendly interface and practical collaboration tools. It’s a go-to choice for teams prioritising streamlined task management and clear communication channels.

Intuitive interface - your team won’t need endless training sessions, as Asana ensures quick and easy adoption with minimal fuss.

Task and custom workflow management - assigning and tracking tasks is a breeze, with different views to suit everyone’s style and preferences.

Team collaboration tools - keep your team in sync with integrated communication tools, ensuring healthy stakeholder management so everyone’s in the loop.

Automated workflows - helps in automating tedious routine tasks, freeing up your time to boost efficiency and accuracy.

Customisable dashboards - track your project’s progress your way with personalized dashboards.

Fluid

At a 4.8/5 rating on G2, Fluid is a strategic change management solution designed with agility and adaptability at its core. It offers intuitive project management solutions for your PMO, like capacity planning for dynamic and rapidly evolving project environments.

Agile project management - tailored for agile methodologies, it adapts seamlessly to changing project requirements and iterative processes.

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“Fluid let us implement an approach that enabled complete control and visibility over our business, resulting in significant valued achieved.” —Scott Conley, Senior Director, Transformation at Santander Bank

Enhanced collaboration features - facilitates seamless team collaboration, centralising communication within the PMO's context.

Visual project tracking - provides visually engaging and intuitive project tracking tools, enhancing transparency and understanding.

Diverse integration capabilities - supports a variety of third-party integrations, allowing for a representative and versatile project management setup.

Scalable for different team sizes - effectively caters to small teams and larger organisations, scaling as the business or project needs evolve.

Cons: Asana vs Microsoft Project vs Fluid

While each platform has its strengths, it's important to consider some common pain points users have experienced with MS Project, Asana, and Fluid.

MS Project

Cost considerations - the pricing structure of Microsoft Project can be a significant barrier, especially for small businesses or teams with limited budgets, making it less accessible compared to more affordable alternatives.

Limited collaboration features - compared to newer PM tools, Microsoft Project lags in real-time collaboration capabilities, which can hinder team communication and project agility in fast-paced environments.

Complexity for simpler projects - users often find MS Project overly complex for smaller or less intricate projects, leading to a steeper learning curve and potential underutilisation of its advanced features.

Here’s what project manager Mohammed Badruz Z. said via a G2 review. He works at a small business in the construction industry: “The software is primarily designed for large-scale projects with complex requirements. For small-scale projects or those with simpler workflows, Microsoft PPM might feel overly complex and feature-heavy. It can be challenging to customize the software to fit the specific needs of smaller projects, leading to unnecessary complexities.”

Asana

Limited functionality for complex projects - while excellent for task management, Asana can fall short in handling more complex project scheduling needs, which might be a limitation for detailed project management requirements.

Feature restrictions at lower pricing tiers - key features like advanced reporting and customisation are available only at higher pricing tiers, potentially restricting smaller teams or businesses on a budget.

Overwhelming with high task volumes - the simplicity of Asana’s interface, while a benefit in many cases, can become overwhelming when managing a high volume of tasks or projects, leading to potential disorganisation.

Fluid

Relatively new in the market - being a newer player in the PMO software market, Fluid may not yet have the same depth of extensive user base as legacy and more established tools, which can be a concern for users looking for proven solutions. However, the team has used this to their advantage when triaging the most urgent features for today’s all-in-one PPM software needs.

Fewer integration options - while offering essential integrations, Fluid might face some limitations in seamlessly connecting with specific or niche software tools, which could impact certain workflows or user preferences.

Integrations: Asana vs MS Project vs Fluid

The dynamic world of project management means that the ability of software to integrate seamlessly with other tools can significantly enhance its effectiveness and user experience. Let's delve into the top integrations for MS Project, Asana, and Fluid, shedding light on how these connections expand their functionalities and adaptability.

MS Project Integrations

• Microsoft 365 Suite - integrates tightly with Office 365 apps like Excel, Outlook, and Teams, allowing for easy data sharing and communication within the Microsoft ecosystem.
• SharePoint - enhances document management and team collaboration by enabling easy access and sharing of project-related documents.
• PowerBI - offers advanced data visualisation and analytics capabilities, allowing users to create comprehensive reports and dashboards.

Asana Integrations

• Google Drive & Dropbox - facilitates effortless file sharing and storage, linking documents directly to tasks and projects.
• Zapier - connects Asana with hundreds of apps, automating workflows and reducing manual task management.
• Jira Cloud - useful for teams that use Jira for development tracking, this integration allows for syncing tasks between the two platforms.

Fluid Integrations

• PowerBI - allows for enhanced data visualisation and supports more informed decision-making within projects.
• Google Workspace Sync - facilitates synchronisation of tasks, calendars, and documents with Google's suite of applications.
• API access - offers the ability for organisations to create custom integrations with other tools they are using.
• Azure DevOps - enhances the synchronisation of development activities with project management tasks through its connection with Microsoft's Azure DevOps.
  

Customer Support: MS Project vs Asana vs Fluid

Effective customer support is a cornerstone for any PPM software tool, playing a pivotal role in ensuring smooth implementation, resolving issues swiftly, and helping users maximise the tool's potential. The quality and accessibility of support can significantly influence user satisfaction and the overall success of the tool within an organisation.

MS Project Customer Support

MS Project leverages the extensive Microsoft support ecosystem, offering a range of support options from community forums to personalised assistance, catering to the diverse needs of its users.

• Microsoft support ecosystem - benefits from the comprehensive Microsoft support system, though some advanced support services might incur additional costs.
• Community and forums - access to a large community of users and forums for peer-to-peer assistance and shared best practices.
• Training resources - provides various online training resources, although more personalised training may require third-party services.

Asana Customer Support

Asana provides a user-friendly support experience with free basic support for all users, complemented by premium options for expedited assistance and extensive online resources for self-help and learning.

• Free basic support - includes email support and access to a comprehensive knowledge base and community forums for all users.
• Premium support options - paid plans offer priority support with quicker response times and more direct access to customer support representatives.
• Webinars and training resources - offers free webinars and training materials to help users get the most out of the platform.
• Asana guides - an extensive online guide that covers all aspects of using Asana, available to all users.

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Fluid Customer Support

Fluid distinguishes itself with exceptional customer support, including dedicated Customer Success Managers and tailored training options, highly rated at 9.8/10 by G2 users for its responsiveness and effectiveness in maximising tool value.

• Dedicated customer success - all Fluid customers have access to a Customer Success Manager as standard, ensuring quick implementation of the tool's value.
• Knowledge base - features detailed self-serve resources covering all aspects of the product, enabling most issues to be resolved without needing additional assistance.
• Live chat - provides live chat support during working hours for all Fluid customers directly within the product.
• Bespoke customer training - enterprise customers receive access to training courses tailored to their specific use cases, enhancing their ability to leverage the tool for their unique goals.

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Pricing: Fluid vs MS Project vs Asana

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MS Project Pricing Plan

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Asana Pricing Plan

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Fluid Pricing Plan

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Ease of use: Asana vs Microsoft Project vs Fluid

MS Project Ease of Use

User adoption is vital for MS Project due to its complexity and rich feature set. While it has comprehensive capabilities, new users might need additional time to become proficient. This factor is crucial for organisations to consider during the rollout phase to ensure a successful adoption. The ease of use rating for MS Projects is at 7.3/10 via G2.

Asana Ease of Use

Asana’s user-friendly interface, rated at 8.6/10 on G2, makes it an ideal choice for teams seeking a straightforward tool. This ease of use is a key factor in user adoption, ensuring team members can quickly acclimate to the software, promoting smooth transition and effective project management.

Fluid Ease of Use

Fluid is exemplary in user-centric design. At 9.5/10 on ease of use, this high score indicates that users can readily adapt to its interface, significantly aiding in the quick and successful implementation of the platform within teams, especially those requiring a flexible and intuitive project management solution.

Alternatives to MS Projects, Asana and Fluid

• Trello - Trello stands out for its simplicity and visual approach to task management. It uses a board and card system to assign tasks and minor projects.
• Smartsheet - Smartsheet offers a spreadsheet-like interface that combines aspects of project management, collaboration, and automation, catering to those who prefer a more traditional, grid-style layout.
• Teamwork - Known for its user-friendly design, Teamwork provides a comprehensive suite of project management tools to foster collaboration and efficiency among teams.
• Zoho Projects - Zoho Projects is a versatile project management tool that offers detailed task management, time tracking, and reporting capabilities integrated within the broader Zoho suite of business applications.
• ClickUp - ClickUp is a multifaceted project management tool, offering a range of features from task assignments and scheduling to document management, all within a customisable interface.

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Conclusion

There we have it – a comprehensive comparison of Microsoft Office vs Asana vs Fluid. This overview is designed to assist in streamlining your decision-making process, but remember, the best way to truly understand these platforms is to experience them firsthand. I encourage you to explore these options through a demo, test their capabilities, and see how they align with your project management needs.

For a deeper insight into what Fluid offers, why not start with a step that could transform your project management experience?

Watch the Fluid demo today and see how it can revolutionise your project processes.

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