16 Scrum Tools That Are Transforming Project Management

What is Scrum?

Scrum refers to the software development team’s framework that aids in creating, delivering, and sustaining intrinsic products. In other words, Scrum is a set of tools that helps complete the work and enables organizations to deliver value to their clients or customers consistently. Scrum aids in incorporating changes by breaking complex projects into smaller features. This approach helps in completing the work quickly through time-boxed iterations called sprints. Scrum tools like Jira Software are typically used to strengthen collaboration and increase project transparency and progress monitoring of the work in real time.

Key Features of Effective Scrum Tools

When assessing Scrum tools, one must consider features like the capability of sprint management, monitoring of tasks, and performance evaluation. Specifically, Scrum tools must include the following features:

• The tool must be able to generate a task board offering a visual representation of the progress of ongoing sprints.
• They must document user stories. It means an informal explanation of features from the user’s point of view that aids in understanding the goal of the team collectively.
• They should have the potential to conduct sprint planning, including defining each sprint concerning the goal, workflow, team assigned, task, and outcome.
• They must provide real-time updates. For instance, it tracks the status of the ongoing task in percentages on the task board.

Best Scrum Tools

Here are the top 18 Scrum tools through which project managers work.

1. Jira

Key Features of Jira:

• Customizable dashboard
• Agile views like Kanban boards and Scrum boards
• Monitors bugs, milestones, launches, and much more
• Flexible projects with personalized workflow

2. VivifyScrum

Key Features of VivifyScrum:

• All-in-one project management tool for Agile teams
• Possess nifty features including invoicing, time tracking, and Scrum training
• User-friendly interface
• Robust free plan
• Drag and drop feature
• Graphical representation of team’s utilization 

3. Targetprocess

Key Features of Targetprocess:

• Eye-catching pricing structure
• User-friendly interface
• Training /implementation professional services available
• Diverse approaches, including Agile/Agile Scrum, are available
• Pre-built solutions such as SAFe are present

4. ClickUp

Key Features of ClickUp:

• You can get a free plan for the comprehensive Scrum board software
• Breaks down Scrum project into manageable chunks
• Tracks progress with ease
• User-friendly interface
• Multiple views can be used to visualize a project with personalized settings
• Reminders can be set for crucial tasks, deadlines 
• Generate to-do-lists and define time estimates with one click
• Helpful in setting recurring tasks

5. Scrumwise

Key Features of Scrumwise:

• Simple and easy to use in Scrum and Kanban boards
• Offers standards Scrum features like visualization of tasks, backlogs, and deadlines
• A digital post-in feature is available for teams
• Release management and native time tracking
• Burndown charts that hold vacations and time zones into account
• Provides updates in real-time

6. Trello

Key Features of Trello:

• A Kanban software, not a Scrum project management software
• Offers real-time tracking and updates on tasks assigned and deadlines
• Review, feedback, checklist, attachments, and comments options are available
• Updates can be delivered via mail
• User-friendly interface
• Swipe and drop-down features are available
• Projects can be easily break-down into multiple tasks

7. MeisterTask

Key Features of MeisterTask:

• Flexible kanban boards are available
• Featured with built-in automation
• Task limits to boost focus and performance 
• Functional with combining other tools, including Dropbox, Outlook, and others
• The free plan is available

8. QuickScrum

Key Features of QuickScrum:

• Integrates with Google Drive
• Offers extraordinary insights and backlog features 
• Track team progress with burnup and burndown reports
• Monitors team velocity, speed and leakages
• Quick inline edit to bulk edits or tasks feature is available
• Set priorities, attach files, and filter backlogs with easy navigation

9. Yodiz

Key Features of Yodiz:

• Product backlog templates are available 
• A planning board is available for multiple project data
• Story allocation, burndown tracking, and more features are available 
• Epics feature is present for feature management 
• The free plan is available
• Payments are charged for integration with other apps. 
• Get backlogs and user stories, and track progress easily 
• Sprint board and planning board with more than 20 integrations are available 

10. nTask

Key Features of nTask:

• Easy to use and inexpensive
• Best for small to mid-sized companies 
• Offers free options with 100MB storage for five team members 
• Add-on features like Gantt charts and custom filters are available with the paid version 
• Offer risk management 
• Board specifications like ‘Not Started,’ ‘In progress,’ Completed,’ ‘Canceled,’ ‘Due today,’ ‘Starred, and’ Overdue’ options are available to filter tasks 
• The backlog can be tracked
• Centralizes the communications among team members when tasks are pulled up

11. Axosoft

Key Features of Axosoft:

• Best for task-heavy software development 
• Quite an expensive tool with an increased rate per team member
• User feedback can be given through design insights
• Real-time feedback in a closed-loop system
• 20 integrations are available, including Office 365, and Stack
• Scrum and Kanban boards are available 
• Burnout charts, sprint management, and custom filter feature is present 

12. ScrumDo

Key Features of ScrumDo:

• Drag-and-drop iteration planning can be done 
• Customized reporting files feature is available 
• Monitor built-in workflow easily 
• Dependency relationships can be viewed in one click 
• Accurate tracking of project performance 
• Histogram, burnups, burndown, and cumulative flow diagram features for reporting are available 
• Scrum, Kanban, or SAFe (agile to scale) workflow management processes can be adopted 

13. Nutcache

Key Features of Nutcache:

• Collaboration and workflow tool that optimizes sprint management
• Set sprint length, define purpose, and allocate story points
• Real-time update on ongoing updates
• Schedule with color code features 
• Gantt chart to visually organize work
• Simple and easy to use 

14. Infinity

Key Features of Infinity:

• Pre-made templates feature is available to save time
• Multiple views can be easily switched
• Unlimited folders and subfolders are available
• Easily organized tasks 
• Integration of over 2,000 third parties is available 
• Assign tasks and visualize progress in real-time
• Provides updates on each sprint
• Prepare items for future sprints
• User-friendly interface 

15. ActiveCollab

Key Features of ActiveCollab:

• Reminders can be set for start and due dates
• User-friendly interface
• Actionable tasks and subtasks
• An unlimited number of projects can be updated
• Organize tasks with color labels
• Client management 
• Email integration is available 
• Recurring tasks can be set
• Invoicing, online payments, and time estimate features are available

16.  easyBacklog

Key Features of easyBacklog:

• Backlog Management
• Sprint Planning
• Task and Work Item Tracking
• Kanban Boards
• Burndown Charts
• User Story Management
• Customization
• Collaboration
• Reporting and Analytics

Conclusion 

Every Scrum tool listed above offers several benefits. To choose the Scrum tools best for your project, you must first consider your objectives, planning and implementations and then look for fundamental features available in the software. 

These Scrum software are user-friendly but require learning to understand the concept of the Scrum framework. Simplilearn brings you a 2 day CSM training course along with the prestigious Certified Scrum Master Certificate. Learn more about their benefits and develop key skills to become a Scrum Master. Take the first step to landing a high-paying job in project management. What are you waiting for? Enroll now!

FAQs on Scrum Tools

1. Why use Scrum tools?

Scrum tools help to adapt to changes, focus on prioritized tasks, and deliver outcomes within deadlines and budget to achieve the desired outcome.

2. Can Scrum tools be used for non-software projects?

Yes, they can be adopted by non-software projects for customer collaboration and team and end-user interaction. 

3. Are there free Scrum tools available?

Scrumblr, Taskjunction, and MeuScrum are examples of free Scrum tools.