Work capacity is your team’s ability to complete a project (or projects) within a prescribed timeframe and specifications. The capacity planning process ensures capacity planners and teams have enough people and resources long-term to complete projects without overburdening their team members.
Resource capacity planning tools help organizations optimize this vital resource management. It enables managers to consider their current workload, then forecast their future projects and the team's capacity to be sure the team can carry out tasks successfully.
Planning tools also provide analytics and reporting features to help evaluate and improve workforce performance. They can help you predict upcoming workforce needs, align your projects with your team’s current skills, identify skill gaps, and prevent burnout and delivery delays.
Choosing suitable capacity planning tools is vital to the success of your workforce planning and capacity models. To help, we’ve collected information on the top 10 tools to consider when looking for a capacity planning app.
Cube is the real-time FP&A platform that loves spreadsheets as much as you do.
It's is the first spreadsheet-native planning tool, enhancing the computational power of Excel with a dynamic, SaaS-based financial performance solution. Users gain real-time financial and operational data access to plan, report, and analyze faster than ever.
Pricing for Cube starts at $1,250/month for lean finance teams and $2,450/month for companies looking to scale. See detailed pricing.
Float is a resource management app geared toward small to mid-market companies. The platform enables real-time availability data for accurate scheduling, including PTO and holiday leave adjustment.
Float doubles as a project management tool, helping project managers estimate capacity and utilization quickly, optimize work schedules, and easily amend project plans using the bulk editing feature.
Float connects with other calendar and communications tools via available integrations. It offers robust security and compliance, including meeting SOC2 and GDPR standards.
Basic services for Float start at $6 per user, per month. Resource planning and time tracking start at $10 per user, per month. Higher-tier services are priced on an individual basis.
Hub Planner is the solution for team-based business workforces, offering approval workflows, task management, checklist creation, and customizable data fields for flexibility. Its core functionality allows users to manage, control, and overview projects and resources within a single view.
This optimized mobile-native app offers download-free functionality through a web-based login. It offers reporting functions with rich data visualizations for better visibility into project schedule progress, resource utilization, and availability.
The Hub Planner website lists prices of $7 to $18 per resource, per month.
NetSuite OpenAir is part of the NetSuite integrated cloud business software suite. It's resource capacity planning software that helps with time and expense tracking and invoicing.
NetSuite OpenAir provides complete visibility in a single platform, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions and maximize billable resource utilization.
It allows users to reduce the need for contingent and subcontracted workers and help managers gain visibility into issues or conflicts.
Not listed on the website. However, one GetApp user reported high licensing fees of $20,000 for 15-20 users.
Anaplan's Long-Term Capacity Planning is part of the Anaplan suite of business performance and financial analysis tools. The app helps enterprises balance demand against available resources and skills, focus on cost reduction, and optimize resource allocation over time.
It enables users to plan their production in line with market demand and align work with company objectives. Anaplan capacity management features can pull in data from integrated tools such as ERPs throughout the organization to provide visibility and planning data from multiple departments.
Anaplan is a cloud-based tool with support across all the devices you use.
Anaplan will never be described as a fan favorite.
If you’re not ready for an enterprise-class performance tool, Anaplan may be more platform than you need.
Anaplan does not publish its license fees or structures.
The Workforce Planning features of Workday Adaptive Planning help mid-market and enterprise organizations build flexible work-capacity models.
It helps project managers build skill-based plans to drive results and streamlines communication between other stakeholders, such as HR teams involved in hiring for skill gaps.
The platform helps users build what-if analyses, track key drivers, and benchmark best practices, production sites, and geographies.
Workday is a one-stop shop for capacity planning data.
Like other entries on the list, the capacity planning features of Workday are part of a larger suite of financial management tools.
Workday does not publish its license fees or structures.
Resource Management by Smartsheet (formerly 10,000 Ft) helps teams make confident decisions about project planning, team capacity, budget forecasting, team utilization, and hiring needs in real time.
Interactive schedule view offers complete visibility on current tasks, helps find people with availability, and addresses issues before they become problems. The platform offers a project dashboard that shows project timelines, the team assigned to the project, and high-level project performance status.
Users can track time, fees, and expenses for every project.
Resource Management standard pricing ranges from $7 to $25 per user, per month. Enterprise plans are custom quoted.
Planful, formerly Host Analytics, is a financial performance management platform that offers capacity planning features as part of its main product.
The platform combines the HR and Finance departments with operational data to build plans, identify talent gaps, estimate project costs, and optimize a workforce plan to successfully navigate issues and market forces.
It helps balance staff, expenses, and business goals with input from organizational leaders, model scenarios, and foster collaboration between the teams delivering project progress.
Planful does not publish its license fees or structures.
The Teamwork suite of tools is built with client-based businesses in mind, bringing together remote and contracted teams to deliver results.
Its project management software for in-house and remote synchronization, collaboration, visibility, and accountability.
It features an internal messaging system, HR hub, and other tools to give project managers and teams centralized access to projects to deliver quickly and accurately.
Teamwork offers a free plan, and standard services range from $10 to $18 per user, per month. Enterprise plans are custom quoted.
Runn offers companies of all sizes an easy-to-use platform for real-time resource management. integrated time tracking and forecasting.
The platform offers intuitive resource scheduling features, milestone tracking, and various project and time-reporting tools to analyze short and long-term project impacts.
It helps the project manager track relevant metrics including utilization, variances, and financial performance and offers several onboard integrations and an API for custom integration.
Runn offers a free plan, and higher-tier services start at $10 per user, per month. Runn offers discounts for users based on NPO status and geographic location.
By prioritizing these features, you ensure a future-proof investment in your company's operational excellence, paving the way for sustainable growth and success.
Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with existing systems like ERP and CRM for streamlined processes and data accuracy.
Scalability: Ability to accommodate business growth without performance issues.
User-Friendliness: Intuitive user interface with clear dashboards and easy data input methods.
Accurate Forecasting: Advanced analytics and predictive modeling for precise future capacity planning.
Real-Time Data Analysis: Capability to monitor resources and adjust plans in real-time.
Customization Options: Flexibility to tailor reports, dashboards, and analyses to specific business needs.
Cost Tracking and Budget Management: Features for managing and tracking resource-related costs and budgets.
Compliance and Security: Adherence to data privacy laws and robust security measures to protect sensitive information.
Mobile Accessibility and Cloud Support: Access to data and tools on-the-go via cloud-based platforms and mobile devices.
Support and Training Resources: Comprehensive customer support and training for effective tool implementation and usage.
Integrating new capacity planning tools with your existing systems can be a complex but crucial process for enhancing efficiency and data coherence. Here are key points to consider for a seamless integration process:
Assess Compatibility: Verify that the new tool is compatible with your existing systems and check for any necessary updates or modifications required in your current setup.
Data Synchronization: Establish real-time data synchronization between the new tool and existing systems to maintain consistency and accuracy across all platforms.
Workflow Mapping: Map out the integration of the new tool into your current workflows and identify any necessary process changes to accommodate it effectively.
Security Protocols: Ensure the integration adheres to your company's data security protocols and confirm the tool's compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
Customization for Fit: Tailor the tool's features to meet your specific business needs and adjust settings and options for optimal integration with your existing systems.
Pilot Testing: Carry out a pilot test to identify any issues before full-scale implementation and utilize feedback to make necessary adjustments, ensuring smoother integration.
As we look to the future, several key trends are emerging in capacity planning technology that promise to revolutionize how businesses manage their resources and plan for growth.
AI and ML Integration: The growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in capacity planning tools enhances data analysis capabilities, resulting in more accurate and detailed capacity forecasts.
Automated Decision-Making: AI algorithms streamline decision-making by automating processes using historical data and predictive analytics, thereby reducing manual effort and enabling faster, more efficient planning.
Cloud-Based Solutions: These tools provide exceptional flexibility and accessibility, allowing planners to access vital data and resources remotely, thereby supporting remote work and collaboration.
Predictive Analytics: Advanced forecasting models use historical data to predict future trends, helping businesses anticipate changes in demand or supply. This foresight is crucial for effective capacity planning.
Sustainability and Green Planning: An increasing focus on eco-friendly operations in capacity planning is leading to tools designed to help businesses meet capacity needs while reducing environmental impact.
IoT Integration: The Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly being integrated into capacity planning tools, providing real-time data from various sources, such as manufacturing equipment, logistics systems, and market trends.
If you’re a mid-market or enterprise company looking for full features, market-leading efficiency, and Excel-native functionality in a user-friendly and efficient platform, Cube is the FP&A and capacity planning tool for you.
Give your Financial team the tools to drive growth in the spreadsheets they already know and love. Schedule a demo of Cube to learn more.