The document presents findings from a survey of project managers about their use of agile project management software, revealing that nearly half of users work in non-software fields. Key challenges identified include training difficulties and mobile compatibility, while workflow tracking is the most utilized feature that enhances efficiency. Despite the prevalence of agile software, many project managers still rely primarily on traditional methods like spreadsheets and email for project management.

1. Software Advice UserView:
Agile PM Software Report
Lessons from real software users

2. In December of 2014, we surveyed hundreds of project managers from a variety
of disciplines in a variety of industries. We wanted to determine how many were
using agile project management (PM) software, and how they were using this
software. Specifically, we wanted to know:
• How prevalent is agile PM software among non-software developer teams?
• What are the functionalities and features of agile PM software that most drive
efficiency?
• What challenges do project managers using agile PM software face today?
Abstract

3. Although the majority of agile PM software users work on software or IT projects,
nearly half work on projects in other disciplines.
Top Project Types Managed With Agile Software
5% Architecture
11% Marketing/advertising
5% Product development
2% Education
4% Finance
5% Construction
2% Event planning
1% Industrial/manufacturing
52% Software/IT
N = 174
13% Other

4. Nearly half of all respondents cite difficulty training as the top challenge for agile
PM software. More than a quarter cited mobile compatibility as a top challenge.
Top Challenges of Agile Software
39%
Difficulty training
Mobile incompatibility
Insufficient tracking/analytics
Scaling issues
No customization
Poor communication features
Poor user interface
Other
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
7%
15%
20%
20%
21%
23%
27%
49%
Percent of sample N = 174

5. More project managers use workflow tracking functionality than any other
functionality. Most use custom interfaces, too.
Most Used Agile Functionality
Workflow tracking
Custom interface
Analytics
Commenting
Story mapping
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
87%
90%
92%
93%
95%
Percent of sample
N = 174

6. The most used feature for project managers using agile PM software is activity
streams. Scrum boards are used more than Kanban boards.
Most Used Agile Features
Activity streams
Scrum board
Kanban board
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
72%
88%
89%
Percent of sample
N = 174

7. Most project managers still use spreadsheets and email to manage projects. Forty
percent use agile PM software.
Users’ Current Project Management Methods
Percent of sample
N = 496
Excel/spreadsheets
Email/Outlook
Project management software
Pen & paper
Whiteboards
Agile project managment software
Other
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
3%
40%
55%
64%
69%
72%
74%
3%

8. A great majority of project managers believe workflow tracking functionality makes
them somewhat to much more efficient in managing projects.
Impact of Agile Software Functionality on Efficiency
N = 151
N = 121
N = 147
N = 135
Workflow tracking
Story mapping
Analytics
Commenting
Custom interface
100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
90%
90%
89%
89%
88%
Much more
efficient
Much less
efficient
10%
10%
11%
11%
12%
N = 133

9. Most project managers believe that scrum boards and activity streams make them
somewhat to much more efficient in managing projects.
Impact of Agile Software Features on Efficiency
Much more
efficient
Much less
efficient
Scrum board
Activity streams
Kanban board
100% 75% 50% 25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
N = 124
N = 124
N = 98
88%
88%
83%
12%
12%
17%

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