Introduction

In this dynamic economic & technological environment, scrum has proved to be one of the most efficient and effective methodology in Project management to streamline the processes & deliver highly efficient products. 

Right tools for scrum masters is as essential as jointing tools for a mason. The right Project Management/Scrum tools help in ensuring collaboration & productivity. 

Here is the list of 10 best Scrum tools that are used by the Scrum Masters globally. We will enlist each tool’s pros & cons, their proficiency and their major features.

1. Jira Software

Jira Software by Atlassian is one of the most popular scrum tools and most of the scrum masters and project managers have used it at some point in their careers. It usually is a top choice for Scrum Masters as its features comprises customizable Scrum boards, backlog management.  One amazing quality is also that it allows integration with other Atlassian tools like Confluence which makes the lives of Scrum Masters easier if they are using the Atlassian tech stack for other things - it can easily be integrated.

See Jira's Capterra Reviews

Some of the other features of Jira software are as follows:

• Proficiency: 9/10
• Jira Software is one of the most powerful and feature-rich tools for Agile and Scrum management. It offers customizable Scrum boards, sprint planning, backlog management, and robust reporting capabilities.
• Scrum Masters can take full advantage of Jira by setting up clear Scrum boards that reflect their team's workflow, using custom workflows, and creating detailed burndown charts. They can also utilize Jira's integration with Confluence for comprehensive project documentation.

2. Trello

Trello is another popular tool and has recently been acquired by Atlassian. It is an easy, user-friendly & intuitive tool. Trello majorly works on Kanban Board methodology & is perfect for new Scrum Masters due to its intuitive nature. 

It also beautifully harnesses the power of automation, all thanks to its in-built automation tool called Butler. 

The automation integration works seamlessly and can be integrated with third party tools such as Slack, Github, Telegram etc.

See Trello's Capterra Reviews

Some of the other features of Trello that make it more efficient.

• Proficiency: 8/10
• Trello's simplicity and visual appeal make it ideal for smaller teams or those new to Scrum. It offers boards, lists, and cards that are easy to use and understand.
• Scrum Masters can maximize Trello by setting up boards for sprints, assigning tasks to team members, and using labels and due dates for task prioritization. Integrations with tools like Slack can enhance team communication.

3. Monday.com

This is another versatile scrum tool that took over the internet for its versatility. It offers various methodologies and customizable templates for every industry, team and department including scrum. It offers flexibility and great automation features which makes it a go to choice for Scrum Masters seeking flexibility in their tools.

See Monday.com's Capterra Reviews

Some of the other features of Monday.com that make it a go to choice for Scrum Masters

• Proficiency: 8.5/10
• Monday.com is highly customizable and suitable for teams of various sizes. It provides a visual and collaborative workspace for managing tasks and projects.
• Scrum Masters can harness Monday.com by creating customized workflows, using automation features, and setting up dependencies between tasks. Dashboards and timelines can provide a clear overview of project progress.

4. Asana

Asana is another scrum tool that’s popular and efficient. Asana offers everything necessary to run a business. It offers shared workspaces, projects, tasks, calendars. It was mainly designed  to improve the communication within the teams, making them more efficient and to be able to get the work done at a single place.

See Asana's Capterra Reviews

Some of the other features of Asana that make it a go to choice for Scrum Masters

• Proficiency: 9/10

• Asana is known for its flexibility and task management capabilities. It's an excellent choice for Scrum teams aiming for structured and organized project planning.

• Scrum Masters can make the most of Asana by structuring projects with task dependencies, setting priorities, and using the timeline view for sprint planning. Integrations with calendars and communication tools enhance collaboration.

5. Targetprocess

This visual Agile Project management tool provides scrum masters with a bird’s eye view of the entire Scrum process. Its metrics, real time data feature helps the team to improve and eradicate any bottlenecks.

 See Targetprocess' Capterra Reviews

Some of the other features of Targetprocess that makes it a good choice for Agile Project mangement

• Proficiency: 8.5/10
• Targetprocess is designed explicitly for Agile project management, making it a strong choice for Scrum Masters. It offers comprehensive visualizations and reporting.
• Scrum Masters can excel with Target Process by creating visual dashboards tailored to their team's needs, tracking cycle times, and using the program board for portfolio management. Real-time data helps identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. 

6. VersionOne

This particular Agile management platform is designed for larger organizations and teams. Its advanced features like release planning and portfolio management makes it ideal for complex & larger projects.

See Versionone's Capterra Reviews 

Some of the other features of VersionOne:

• Proficiency: 9/10
• VersionOne is an enterprise-level Agile platform with a focus on scaling Agile practices. It's proficient in managing complex projects and aligning them with business objectives.
• Scrum Masters can fully utilize VersionOne by creating release and sprint plans, managing backlogs, and leveraging the platform's analytics for performance insights. It supports large-scale Agile transformations. 

7. Scrumwise

Scrumwise is one of the most user-friendly Scrum tools that focuses on core Scrum & Agile principles. The features of burndown charts, sprint progress makes it a go to tool for Scrum Masters who are new to the field as it adheres to core Scrum principles.

See Scrumwise's Capterra Reviews 

Some of the other features of Scrumwise that make it a go to choice for smaller teams

• Proficiency: 7/10

• Scrumwise is straightforward and user-friendly, making it suitable for smaller teams and organizations new to Scrum. It adheres closely to core Scrum principles.

• Scrum Masters can maximize Scrumwise by setting up Scrum boards, tracking sprint progress, and using burndown charts. It's a tool that emphasizes simplicity and the basics of Scrum.

8. ClickUp

ClickUp is a productivity platform that supports various project management methodologies, including Scrum. It offers a wide range of features like task management, time tracking, and goal setting, making it a comprehensive choice for Scrum Masters.

See ClickUp’s Capterra Reviews

Some of the other features of ClickUp beyond Project Management

• Proficiency: 8/10

• ClickUp offers a wide range of features beyond project management, including time tracking, goal setting, and automation. It's versatile and customizable.

• Scrum Masters can take full advantage of ClickUp by setting up Agile boards, using custom fields for Scrum artifacts, and automating repetitive tasks. The goal-setting feature helps align projects with strategic objectives.

9. VivifyScrum

VivifyScrum offers an agile board, scrum board, Kanban board, and time management features.Unlike Jira, VivifyScrum gets the good UX stamp of approval. Teams report that it’s intuitive to use its several different boards, plan sprints, and adjust tasks when a change in prioritization occurs.

See Vivifyscrum's Capterra Reviews

Some of the other features of Vivifyscrum which makes it perfect for Scrum masters who likes to work on Kanban Boards

• Proficiency: 8/10
• VivifyScrum is a dedicated Scrum and Kanban project management tool designed to simplify Agile workflows. It offers features tailored to Agile methodologies, making it proficient for Scrum teams.
• Scrum Masters can make the most of VivifyScrum by creating Scrum boards, managing backlogs, and tracking sprint progress. Here's how Scrum Masters can take full advantage of the software:

10. Axosoft

Axosoft, also known as "GitKraken Boards," is a Scrum and Agile project management tool designed for software development teams. It offers features like burndown charts, velocity tracking, and release planning to help Scrum Masters lead their teams to success.

See Axosoft's Capterra reviews

Some of the other features of Axosoft:

• Proficiency: 8/10
• Axosoft, also known as "GitKraken Boards," is tailored for software development teams. It offers burndown charts, velocity tracking, and release planning.
• Scrum Masters can harness Axosoft by setting up release pipelines, visualizing work on Kanban boards, and using the planning poker feature for estimating user stories. It's particularly useful for software development projects.

Conclusion

As Scrum continues to gain popularity in 2023, Scrum Masters have an array of powerful tools at their disposal to enhance productivity, collaboration, and project management. The key is to select a tool that aligns with your team's needs and preferences. Whether you prefer the robust capabilities of Jira Software, the simplicity of Trello, or the flexibility of Monday.com, there's a Scrum tool out there to help you excel in your role as a Scrum Master. Embrace technology, streamline your processes, and empower your Scrum team to deliver exceptional results in the dynamic landscape of software development.

Our Agile Scrum Master Certification teaches a lot of different tools in the program along with the mentorship guidance, real live projects opportunity etc. 

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