Basecamp - Detailed Review
Productivity Tools
Basecamp - Detailed Review Contents
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Basecamp - Product Overview
Basecamp is a project management tool that simplifies collaboration and task management for teams. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Basecamp is designed to help teams collaborate, stay organized, and improve productivity. It consolidates essential project management tools into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple apps. This all-in-one approach allows teams to manage every project efficiently from a centralized dashboard.Target Audience
Basecamp primarily targets small businesses, remote teams, and creative professionals. By focusing on these specific customer segments, Basecamp ensures its features meet the unique needs of these groups, enhancing their productivity and collaboration.Key Features
- Project Dashboards: Each project has its own dedicated dashboard, providing an overview of to-dos, messages, and schedules. This ensures that all project-related information is easily accessible and manageable.
- Message Board: A centralized place for important discussions, eliminating the chaos of email threads and keeping communication clear and organized.
- Docs & Files: A space for storing, sharing, and discussing files and documents, ensuring all project materials are in one place.
- To-Dos: To-do lists help teams track tasks, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress with clear deadlines. Tasks can be split into sections and commented on for progress updates.
- Schedule: A scheduling tool that integrates with to-dos to display milestones, deadlines, and events on a visual calendar.
- Campfire: A real-time chat feature for quick, informal team discussions, ideal for clarifying details or brainstorming ideas.
- Card Table and Kanban: A visual layout inspired by Kanban boards, providing a clear overview of tasks in progress and those completed.
- Hill Charts: A unique project analytics feature that splits tasks into planning (uphill phase) and execution (downhill phase) phases.
- Group Chat, Pings, and Messages: Comprehensive collaboration tools including group chat for team discussions, pings for one-on-one conversations, and messages for important announcements.
Basecamp - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Basecamp
Basecamp boasts a user interface that is notably simple and intuitive, making it highly accessible for users of all skill levels, including those who are not tech-savvy.Ease of Use
The interface is designed to be user-friendly, with a minimal learning curve. Setting up Basecamp is straightforward; you can sign up quickly and start using the platform with the help of a guided walkthrough and sample projects. This approach ensures that new users can get familiar with the app’s features without much hassle.Design and Layout
Basecamp’s design deviates slightly from traditional project management tools. Instead of landing on a project grid, users are taken to a home window that displays widgets for pinned and recently visited projects. This layout allows users to pick up where they left off easily. Each project window is organized to include features like message boards, chat, schedules, to-do lists, and documents, keeping the main features easily accessible.Customization and Organization
While Basecamp does not offer extensive customization options, it does allow users to customize their dashboard by pinning and reordering important teams and projects. The main menu is neatly organized, making it easy for users to find their way around the app. Additionally, Basecamp offers various color themes and appearances, including a dark mode, which is beneficial for users with visual impairments.Communication and Collaboration
The platform excels in team communication and collaboration. Features like chat (Campfire), message boards, and automatic check-ins are integrated directly into each project, keeping discussions context-specific and centralized. This helps reduce clutter and ensures that important information is not missed. The chat tool is ideal for casual discussions, and the message board is perfect for project-wide announcements and feedback.Overall User Experience
The overall user experience with Basecamp is positive due to its simplicity and ease of use. Users appreciate that the platform is not bloated with unnecessary features, allowing teams to start working immediately without a steep learning curve. The integration with other tools like Box, Figma, Slack, and Salesforce further enhances the user experience by streamlining workflows. However, some users might find the lack of advanced project views, such as Gantt charts, and the absence of real-time data reporting to be limiting for more complex projects. Despite these limitations, Basecamp’s intuitive design and strong collaboration features make it an excellent choice for small to medium-sized teams looking for a straightforward project management solution. Basecamp - Key Features and Functionality
Basecamp Overview
Basecamp is a comprehensive project management and collaboration tool that offers a variety of features to enhance team productivity and organization. Here are the main features and how they work:Project Dashboards
Each project in Basecamp has its own dashboard, which serves as a central hub for all project-related activities. This dashboard provides an overview of to-do lists, messages, schedules, and real-time chats, ensuring that everything related to the project is easily accessible and manageable.Message Board
The message board is a centralized place for important discussions, eliminating the chaos of email threads. Teams can post updates, ask questions, and share ideas, keeping communication clear and organized. This feature helps in maintaining a structured and easily searchable record of all project discussions.Docs & Files
Basecamp includes a dedicated space for storing, sharing, and discussing files and documents. This feature ensures that all project-related materials are kept in one place, reducing the risk of losing important documents. Users can also reorder and color-code files for better organization.To-Dos
To-do lists are a key feature of Basecamp, helping teams track tasks, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress with clear deadlines. This ensures that everyone stays accountable and on track with their tasks.Real-time Group Chat (Campfires)
Basecamp’s real-time group chat, known as Campfires, allows teams to ask quick questions and get fast replies. This feature supports sounds, video, and emojis, making chats more engaging. Users can also attach files, quotes, and code samples to their messages.Check-in Questions
Check-Ins enable project managers to ask their teams regular questions, with all replies rolled up into one easy-to-understand thread. This feature helps in maintaining consistent communication and feedback within the team.Client Access
Basecamp allows seamless client collaboration by inviting clients to specific projects. Clients can view updates, leave feedback on tasks or documents, and stay informed without being overwhelmed by internal team discussions. This makes Basecamp ideal for agencies and consultants.Hill Charts
Hill Charts are a unique feature in Basecamp that help users track the progress of a project. These charts show whether the project is on track to be finished on time, and every update can be annotated, reducing the need for daily standups.Reports
Basecamp provides detailed reports that give quick insights into the project’s status. Users can see what tasks are overdue, what has been completed, and what is coming up. This helps in keeping a clear overview of the project’s progress.Scheduling and Video Calls
Basecamp has improved its event scheduling features, including one-click access for video calls and support for everyday language. This makes it easier to schedule and join meetings directly from the platform.Timesheet
The Timesheet add-on allows users to track time spent on tasks, documents, and other project elements. This feature is useful for billing clients and understanding how much time is spent on different tasks.Project Templates
Basecamp offers project templates that can be created from existing projects or from scratch. This feature is particularly useful for teams that work on similar projects repeatedly, as it saves time and effort in setting up new projects.Integration with Other Apps
Basecamp supports integrations with various popular apps such as Slack, Mailchimp, and Salesforce. This allows users to automate workflows and connect their favorite tools to Basecamp, enhancing productivity and streamlining processes.AI Integration
While Basecamp itself does not heavily integrate AI into its core features, it can be integrated with AI-driven tools through third-party services. For example:Sembly AI
This integration allows users to send meeting notes, tasks, and transcriptions directly into Basecamp projects, enhancing communication and centralizing insights. Sembly AI recognizes tasks from meetings and sends them to Basecamp, ensuring that all meeting outcomes are tracked and acted upon.Browse AI
Integrations with tools like Browse AI enable users to automate data extraction and monitoring, which can be linked back to Basecamp for better project management and data centralization. These integrations help in automating certain aspects of project management, such as meeting note transcription and task assignment, thereby boosting team efficiency and productivity. Basecamp - Performance and Accuracy
Performance and Accuracy Evaluation of Basecamp
User-Friendly Interface and Basic Project Management
Basecamp is praised for its simple and intuitive interface, which makes it easy for new users and non-techies to manage simple projects. It allows teams to create to-do lists, add tasks with deadlines, and monitor project progress using tools like the hill chart and progress needle.Collaboration Features
Basecamp excels in team collaboration with features such as chats, message boards, file sharing, and automatic check-ins. These tools keep teams connected and engaged, contributing to increased productivity. The notification system is also robust, ensuring important information is not missed.Limitations in Advanced Project Management
However, Basecamp falls short when it comes to managing complex projects. It lacks advanced project views such as Gantt charts, calendar views, and traditional project/task boards. This limitation makes it difficult to track progress and workload accurately, especially for projects that require interconnected workflows or dependent tasks.Task Management
While Basecamp’s to-do lists are easy to use and help in managing tasks collaboratively, they lack several critical features. There is no option to create subtasks with dependencies or set priority levels for tasks. This can lead to difficulties in focusing on the most critical tasks first and managing recurring tasks efficiently.Time and Expense Tracking
Basecamp does not have built-in time or expense tracking features, which is a significant oversight for businesses that need to track hours worked or manage client billing. Users have to integrate other applications or use separate software for these purposes.Reporting and Analytics
The reporting capabilities in Basecamp are limited. It lacks real-time data reporting and advanced analytics tools, making it challenging to export data in a report format or analyze project progress comprehensively. The available reports are basic and presented in list format without options for data visualization.Customization and Integrations
Basecamp has limited customization options, including notification settings and project views. While it integrates with several external services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Salesforce, the available integrations are not as extensive as those offered by other project management tools. Additionally, automations within Basecamp are minimal, with only recurring tasks and automatic check-ins available.Client Management
Basecamp does not have a built-in CRM, which means users need to use a separate tool for client management, storing contacts, and streamlining their sales pipeline. This can be inconvenient for businesses that require integrated client management features.Conclusion
In summary, while Basecamp is excellent for simple project management and team collaboration, it has significant limitations when it comes to advanced project management, task prioritization, time and expense tracking, and reporting. These limitations make it less suitable for complex projects or businesses that require more sophisticated productivity tools. Basecamp - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Plans
Basecamp now offers two main pricing plans after discontinuing its free and flat-rate unlimited user plans in October 2022.Basecamp (Per User)
- Cost: $15 per user per month, billed on a month-to-month basis.
- Ideal For: Freelancers, startups, and small teams.
- Features:
- Unlimited projects
- 500 GB of file storage
- Project tools (to-dos, file and document management, etc.)
- Team communication tools (group chats, Pings, comments)
- Event scheduling
- Integrations
- Hill charts for project tracking
- Users: You pay only for internal members, not for guest collaborators.
Basecamp Pro Unlimited
- Cost: $299 per month (annual billing) or $349 per month (monthly billing).
- Ideal For: Growing businesses, larger teams, and companies that need more extensive features.
- Features:
- All features from the Basecamp (Per User) plan
- Unlimited users for a flat rate
- 5 TB of file storage (10 times more than the per-user plan)
- Priority 24/7 customer support
- One-on-one onboarding assistance
- Timesheets add-on to track time spent on projects
- Admin Pro pack add-on for enhanced user access and permissions control.
Free Options
As of October 2022, Basecamp no longer offers a free plan. However, they provide a 30-day free trial for both pricing plans, allowing you to test the features before committing to a paid subscription.Additional Notes
- Guest collaborators are free in both plans, meaning you don’t have to pay for external vendors or contractors.
- The pricing model is straightforward, with no additional paid add-ons or upsells beyond the two main plans.
Basecamp - Integration and Compatibility
Basecamp Overview
Basecamp, a comprehensive project management tool, offers extensive integration capabilities with various other tools and platforms, enhancing its versatility and usability across different devices and environments.Integrations with Other Tools
Basecamp integrates seamlessly with a wide range of third-party tools to streamline workflows and improve productivity. Here are some notable integrations:Project Management Tools
Basecamp can be integrated with tools like Jira, Trello, Asana, Wrike, and more, allowing for synchronized task management and project tracking.Customer Support and Feedback
Tools like Zendesk and EvantoDesk can be connected to Basecamp, enabling the automation of customer queries and feedback into actionable to-do lists.Communication and Collaboration
Integrations with Slack and Google Hangouts Chat allow teams to share Basecamp activity and stay updated on project developments directly within these communication platforms.Development and Version Control
Basecamp can be integrated with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket, facilitating seamless collaboration between development teams and project managers.Marketing and CRM
Integrations with HubSpot enable the synchronization of project data and customer interactions, enhancing overall project and customer management.Automation and Workflow Tools
Basecamp also supports integration with workflow automation tools like Zapier, which allows users to connect over 750 business apps. This automation can streamline processes such as lead generation, data entry, and communication within teams.AI and Data Analysis
Integrating Basecamp with AI tools using platforms like Latenode can automate tasks, enhance communication, and provide data-driven insights. This integration enables features such as automated task management, data analysis, and smart recommendations, all without requiring extensive coding knowledge.Data Connectivity and BI Tools
The CData ODBC driver for Basecamp provides universal ODBC data connectivity, allowing users to connect Basecamp data with various BI, reporting, and ETL tools like Excel, Tableau, and Power BI. This driver supports real-time data access and advanced SQL operations, making it easier to analyze and report on project data.Cross-Platform Compatibility
Basecamp is accessible across multiple platforms, including:Desktop Applications
Available for Mac and Windows.Mobile Applications
Available for iOS and Android devices.Web Access
Can be accessed via any web browser, making it usable on any device with an internet connection.Office Tools Integration
Basecamp data can be integrated with office tools like Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook. The CData ODBC driver enables applications to access live Basecamp data, allowing for features like mail merge and real-time data updates within these office tools.Conclusion
In summary, Basecamp’s extensive integration capabilities, cross-platform compatibility, and support for automation and AI tools make it a highly versatile and effective project management solution. Whether you’re managing projects, automating workflows, or analyzing data, Basecamp can be seamlessly integrated with a wide range of tools to enhance your productivity and efficiency. Basecamp - Customer Support and Resources
Contacting Support
To get help from Basecamp support, you can follow these steps:
- Log into your Basecamp account on the official website.
- Go to the bottom left or top right corner of the screen and click on the question mark icon.
- This will open a support menu where you can select “How can we help you?” and proceed to ask your question. This system is designed to guide you through common issues and connect you with support if needed.
Knowledge Base and Client Portal
Basecamp provides a comprehensive knowledge base where you can find answers to many common questions. You can also create a ticket in your client portal if you need more specific assistance.
Phone and Email Support
For urgent or unresolved issues, you can contact Basecamp support via phone at 1-418-837-8909 or 855-900-3539. You can also reach out via email at the provided support address. Their office hours are Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern time, but emergency support is available 24/7.
Integrations and Additional Tools
Basecamp integrates with over 300 third-party apps to enhance productivity. These include tools for time tracking, invoicing, accounting, and more. For example, you can use integrations with Zoho CRM, Slack, Zendesk, and other apps to streamline your workflow and manage various aspects of your projects.
Productivity Features
Basecamp itself offers several built-in features to boost productivity, such as:
- To-do lists to break down tasks and assign responsibilities.
- Message boards for team discussions and updates.
- Schedules and assignments to track deadlines and progress.
- Real-time group chat to keep everyone informed.
- Automated check-ins with your team using polls.
- Integration with AI-powered tools like Figma, Miro, Notion, and Slack.
These resources and support options are designed to help you manage your projects efficiently and address any issues that may arise.
Basecamp - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Basecamp
Basecamp offers several significant advantages that make it a valuable tool for project management and team collaboration:Simplicity and Ease of Use
Basecamp is known for its simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for both technical and non-technical users to learn and use. The clean, minimal layout helps teams focus on their work rather than figuring out the tool.Comprehensive Project Management Features
Basecamp integrates various essential tools into one platform, including project dashboards, message boards, file storage, to-do lists, and scheduling. This centralized approach streamlines collaboration and reduces the need for multiple tools.Effective Communication Tools
Basecamp provides multiple communication channels such as message boards for focused discussions, ‘Pings’ for private messages, and ‘Campfires’ for real-time team chats. These features ensure clear and organized communication within the team.AI-Driven Task Management
The integration of AI in Basecamp enhances task management by categorizing tasks based on urgency and importance, suggesting optimal scheduling, and providing proactive reminders. This helps in prioritizing tasks effectively and ensuring deadlines are met.Client Involvement
Basecamp allows users to add specific clients to projects and set up client-focused projects, facilitating better client involvement and communication. Clients can be kept updated through shared project details and direct email forwarding.Excellent Customer Support and Pricing
Basecamp is praised for its fast and reliable customer service. The pricing is competitive, with a free plan available and a flat rate for the paid plan, regardless of the team size.Productivity and Efficiency
Basecamp’s features, such as to-do lists, schedules, and real-time chat, help increase team productivity by ensuring everyone stays on track and tasks are managed efficiently. The platform also integrates with other tools like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook.Disadvantages of Basecamp
While Basecamp offers many benefits, there are some limitations and potential drawbacks to consider:Limited Advanced Features
Basecamp is best suited for simple to medium-complexity projects. It lacks some of the advanced features that more complex projects might require, making it less ideal for large-scale or highly intricate projects.Dependence on Manual Input
Although AI agents are increasingly integrated into Basecamp, the platform still requires significant manual input for optimal performance, especially for tasks that AI has not yet automated.Learning Curve for AI Features
While the basic features of Basecamp are easy to use, fully harnessing the AI capabilities may require some time and effort to familiarize oneself with the new features and settings.Integration Limitations
While Basecamp integrates well with several tools, there might be limitations in its compatibility with certain specialized software or workflows, which could necessitate additional setup or workarounds. In summary, Basecamp is a powerful and user-friendly project management tool that excels in simplicity, communication, and AI-driven task management. However, it may not be the best fit for highly complex projects or those requiring advanced features beyond its current capabilities. Basecamp - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Basecamp to Other Productivity Tools
When comparing Basecamp to other productivity tools, especially those integrated with AI, it’s important to highlight its unique features and how it stands against its competitors.
Unique Features of Basecamp
- All-in-One Platform: Basecamp combines task management, file sharing, and communication tools, making it a comprehensive project management software. It includes features like project dashboards, message boards, docs & files storage, to-do lists, scheduling tools, and real-time chat (Campfire).
- Visual Task Management: Basecamp offers a card table layout inspired by Kanban boards, providing a visual overview of tasks and their status.
- Centralized Communication: The message board and Campfire features ensure clear and organized communication within teams, reducing email clutter.
- Personalized Dashboards: The “My Stuff” page gives users a personalized overview of their tasks, messages, files, and schedules across multiple projects.
Competitors and Alternatives
Notion
- Versatility: Notion is highly versatile, serving as a note-taking app, task manager, and database. It integrates AI for generating text, summarizing pages, and other productivity-enhancing features.
- AI Integration: Notion’s AI capabilities make it easier to manage workflows, generate content, and organize information, which is a significant advantage over Basecamp’s more traditional approach.
Motion
- AI-Powered Scheduling: Motion uses AI to auto-schedule tasks based on priorities, deadlines, and team availability, which can be more efficient than Basecamp’s manual scheduling.
- Calendar Integration: Motion seamlessly integrates with personal and work calendars, and it includes email and voice integration for adding tasks on the go.
Asana
- AI-Driven Project Management: Asana now incorporates AI to identify blocks, flag potential risks, and suggest goals, providing a more proactive approach to project management compared to Basecamp’s more reactive tools.
- Automated Task Management: Asana’s AI can help streamline project workflows by automating task assignments and tracking progress, which might be more advanced than Basecamp’s to-do lists and scheduling.
Other Considerations
- Basecamp Alternatives: If you’re looking for simpler or more specialized tools, alternatives like Trello, ClickUp, or Wrike might be more suitable. These tools offer different feature sets that could better fit specific team needs.
Key Differences
- AI Integration: Basecamp does not currently integrate AI in the same way as Notion, Motion, or Asana. If AI-driven productivity is a priority, these alternatives might offer more advanced features.
- Customization and Flexibility: Notion stands out for its high level of customization and versatility, making it a strong choice for teams with diverse needs.
- Scheduling and Task Management: Motion and Asana offer more automated and AI-driven approaches to scheduling and task management, which could be more efficient for teams with complex project timelines.
In summary, while Basecamp is a solid all-in-one project management tool, its competitors offer unique features, particularly in the realm of AI integration and automated task management. Choosing the right tool depends on the specific needs and preferences of your team.
Basecamp - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Basecamp
What are the pricing plans for Basecamp?
Basecamp offers two main pricing plans: Basecamp Personal and Basecamp Business.- Basecamp Personal: This is a free plan, ideal for personal projects or small teams.
- Basecamp Business: This plan costs $99 per month, regardless of the number of users. It includes all the features needed for comprehensive project management. There is also a 15% discount if you pay for a year upfront.
What features does Basecamp offer for project management?
Basecamp includes several key features to enhance project management:- Project Dashboards: A centralized overview of to-dos, messages, and schedules.
- Message Board: A place for important discussions to keep communication clear and organized.
- Docs & Files: A space for storing, sharing, and discussing files and documents.
- To-Dos: Task management with to-do lists, deadlines, and assignments.
- Schedule: A tool for managing project schedules, including events, milestones, and deadlines.
- Campfire: Real-time chat for quick team discussions.
- Card Table and Kanban: Visual task management inspired by Kanban boards.
Can I integrate Basecamp with other tools and services?
Yes, Basecamp allows integration with various third-party tools. It has a full-featured API, and many companies have written custom integrations. You can link up files from Google Docs, Figma, Dropbox, Airtable, and other apps using the Doors feature. Additionally, Basecamp can replace tools like Slack, Asana, and Dropbox, but you can still use these tools if needed.How does Basecamp handle team collaboration and communication?
Basecamp is designed to streamline team collaboration and communication:- Message Board: Centralized place for important discussions.
- Campfire: Real-time chat for quick team discussions.
- To-Dos: Allows assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and monitoring progress.
- Pings: Direct messages for ad hoc chats.
- Notifications: The Hey menu aggregates notifications in a single menu.
Can I export my data from Basecamp if I decide to leave?
Yes, you can export your data from Basecamp as often as you like. The process is self-service and easy, and the data is provided in a format that can be browsed in a web browser.Does Basecamp offer customer support?
Yes, Basecamp is known for its excellent customer support. The support team includes expert specialists who know Basecamp inside and out. Support options include asking questions, watching tutorials, reviewing help guides, and attending live walkthrough classes and Q&A sessions.Is Basecamp available in languages other than English?
Currently, Basecamp’s interface is only available in English, although users from over 160 countries can write and share content in their native languages using the platform.Can I set up projects that only some of my team can see?
Yes, you can set up projects in Basecamp that are visible only to specific team members. This helps in maintaining privacy and focus within different project groups.How does Basecamp help in tracking project progress?
Basecamp provides several tools to track project progress effectively:- To-Dos: Allows assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and monitoring completion status.
- Schedule: Visual representation of project timelines.
- Hill Charts: Visual representation of progress and potential roadblocks.
- Reports: Show the real work and actual evidence of progress being made.
Can I use Basecamp even if some of my team prefers to use email?
Yes, you can use Basecamp even if some team members prefer email. Clients can respond to questions via email, and all communications can be kept centralized within Basecamp.Does Basecamp have any storage limits?
The storage limits vary depending on the plan:- Basecamp Business: No specific storage limit mentioned, but it includes comprehensive file storage.
- Basecamp Pro Unlimited: Offers 5 TB of file and document storage per user, though this plan is not mentioned in all sources and might be a variation of the Business plan.
Basecamp - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Basecamp
Basecamp is a versatile and user-friendly project management tool that excels in streamlining collaboration and productivity for teams, particularly smaller ones and those with remote workers.Key Features
- Project Dashboards: Provides a comprehensive overview of tasks, messages, and schedules, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
- Communication Tools: Includes a message board, real-time chat (Campfire), and private messages (Pings) to keep communication clear and organized.
- Task Management: Offers to-do lists with features like task assignment, deadlines, and recurring tasks, helping teams stay on track.
- File Sharing and Storage: Centralizes project-related files and documents, making them easily accessible and reducing the risk of losing important materials.
- Scheduling: Integrates seamlessly with to-dos to display milestones, deadlines, and events on a visual calendar.
Who Would Benefit Most
Basecamp is ideal for smaller teams, especially those with remote workers, who need a simple and effective way to manage projects and enhance team collaboration. It is particularly beneficial for teams that value clear communication, easy task management, and a centralized platform for all project-related activities.Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Basecamp is known for its simplicity and intuitive design, making it easy to learn and use.
- Flat Pricing: Offers a flat monthly price for unlimited users, which is cost-effective for growing teams.
- Excellent Communication Features: Provides multiple communication tools to keep teams connected and informed.
- Good Customer Support: Known for fast and reliable customer service, along with various training aids and tools.
Cons
- Limited Advanced Features: Basecamp lacks features like Gantt charts and AI capabilities, which might be a drawback for teams needing more advanced project management tools.
- Limited Reporting Features: The reporting capabilities are limited compared to other project management platforms.