Essential Operations Management Tools for 2024!

Evolution of Operations Management

Operations management has seen a significant transformation over the decades, evolving from traditional manufacturing practices to technology-driven processes across various industries. Understanding this evolution is important for appreciating and accordingly implementing the current state of operations management and its future direction.

Early Stages: Craft Production and Industrial Revolution

• Craft Production: The initial phases of operation can also be defined as mere artisanship where the products are made manually. They opted for this method due to its efficiency, but it was a bit time-consuming and could not accommodate many clients at a time.
• Industrial Revolution: The period of the Industrial Revolution can be dated to the period between the late 18th century and the early 19th century with mechanization and mass production. Technological advancements, like the development of the steam engine, have advanced the way products are manufactured. They have paced up the production, leading to flourishment in manufacturing and business.

Mid-20th Century: Scientific Management 

 Taylor’s approach to scientific management emerged in the early part of the twentieth century, highlighting procedures for efficient and productive organization. They focused on time and motion studies to effectively segregate operations into measurable elements. Statistical processes and Program Evaluation and Review Techniques (PERT) were also considered for optimal project and operation management. 

Late 20th Century: Quality Management and Globalization

• Total Quality Management (TQM): The 1980s and 1990s were dominated by the TQM, which focused on customer orientation, improvement and employee participation. Tools and methods like Six Sigma and ISO 9000 standards are measured as critical elements of quality control.
• Globalization: The expansion of international markets and networks led to a number of challenges, like logistic issues, acquisition of supplies, and cross-cultural management. Outsourcing and offshoring were some of the solutions that were implemented. 

21st Century: Digital Transformation and Integrated Systems

• Digital Technologies: The use of digital technologies became noticeable only after the early 2000s – this phase can be named the period of intensive changes. Supply chain management, demand forecasting, and effective scheduling became important applications. It was accompanied by the acceptance of integrated systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, and advanced analytics became prominent tools.
• Automation and AI: Automation, Robotics, and AI changed operations by increasing the level of accuracy and efficiency and providing better insight for predictions.

Present Day: Data-Driven Operations and Sustainability

• Data-Driven Decision Making: In 2024, the role of operations management is continuously transformed by data. Capabilities such as big data analytics, machine learning, and IoT (Internet of Things) help in understanding insights. It also contributes to real-time analysis and prediction-based decision-making.
• Sustainability: Many centers have initiated the process of transition to sustainable management. Best practices like green manufacturing, circular economy principles, and sustainable supply chain management are being implemented in organizations. These are essential today to help address the environmental liabilities and legal guidelines on emissions.

15 Must-Have Operations Management Tools

Review the list of Operations Management Tools in 2024 to make a smart choice now: 

1. Trello

A versatile project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and workflows. Offers real-time insights while allowing task assignments, due dates, checklists, and file attachments.

Features

• Project planning 
• Optimizing workflow 
• Butler automation 
• Integration with apps 
• Easy task allocation 
• Add power-ups 
• Effortless scale-up 

Pricing 

Personal: $0

Standard: $5 per user per month (annual) and $6 (monthly)

Premium: $10 per user per month (annual) and $12.50 (monthly)

Enterprise: $17.50 per user per month ($210.00 annual price per user)

2. Asana

Another top one among the popular operational tools that helps teams organize and track work. It offers efficient task management, accepts distinct types of attachments, offers templates and provides a platform for easy approvals.

Features

• Intuitive dashboards
• Privacy controls
• Custom fields 
• Multilingual 
• Personalized day planners
• Status monitoring 
• Secured data backup

Pricing 

Personal: $0

Starter: $10.99 per user per month (annual) and $13.49 (monthly)

Advanced: $24.99 per user per month (annual) and $30.49 (monthly)

Enterprise and Enterprise+: Contact sales

3. Jira

Particularly suited for software development teams, Jira provides powerful issue-tracking and project management capabilities. It offers agile boards, customizable workflows, and real-time reporting.

Features

• Task management
• Goal tracking
• Dependency management 
• Backlog prioritization and updates
• Sprint planning tools 
• Real-time chats and comments 
• Advanced search (JQL)

Pricing 

Personal: $0

Starter: $7.16 per user per month

Advanced: $12.48 per user per month

Enterprise: Contact sales

4. Microsoft Excel

One of the best operations management tools, spreadsheet software, is widely used for data analysis, financial modeling, and project planning. It offers powerful calculation capabilities, data visualization tools, and integration with other Microsoft Office applications.

Features

• Data visualization
• Conditional formatting
• Analytical assistance with Copilot 
• In-build formulas 
• Already available templates 
• Effective visualization 
• Convert picture to data table  

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Pricing 

For Home

One user: Free

Microsoft 365 Personal with Copilot Pro: INR 489 per month

Microsoft 365 Family: INR 619 per month 

For Business 

One user: Free

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: INR 685 per user per month + GST

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: INR 770 per user per month + GST

5. Google Sheets

Similar to Excel, Google Sheets is a cloud-based spreadsheet software and operations tool that allows for real-time collaboration and sharing. It offers built-in formulas, pivot tables, and charting tools.

Features

• Exclusive templates
• Collaboration options 
• Enhanced security 
• Google product integration 
• Offline editing 
• Machine learning-based features 

Pricing 

Personal: Free

Business Standard: INR 736 per user per month (annual) and INR 883.20 (monthly)

Advanced: INR 1380 per user per month (annual) and INR 1656 (monthly)

Enterprise: Contact sales 

6. Slack

A popular communication platform and one of the best operations management tools that facilitates team collaboration through channels, direct messaging, and file sharing. Features include integrations with other tools, search functionality, and customizable notifications.

Features

• File sharing
• Efficient in-app communication
• Workflow builder
• AI assistance
• Virtual space for collaboration
• Accessibility and customization 

Pricing

Personal: Free

Pro: INR 245.25 per user per month (annual) and INR 294.75 (monthly)

Business+: INR 422.10 per user per month (annual) and INR 506.25 (monthly)

Enterprise Grid: Contact Sales

7. Microsoft Teams

A collaboration platform that combines workplace chat, video conferencing, file storage, and application integration. Acting as the operations tool as well, it offers channels for team communication, file sharing, and integration with Office 365.

Features

• Instant messaging
• Rich online meetings
• Phone system 
• Real-time communication 
• Authentication and authorization services 

Pricing

For Home

Personal: Free

Microsoft 365 Personal: $6.99 per month 

Microsoft 365 Family: $9.99 per month 

Teams Phone Bundles 

Pay-as-you-go calling plan: $10 per user per month 

Domestic calling plan: $16 per user per month

International calling plan: $32 per user per month 

Bring your own calling plan: $8 per user per month  

Business Plans

Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4 per user 

Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 per user per month 

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 per user per month 

8. Zoom

A leading video conferencing software that allows for virtual meetings, webinars, and conference room solutions. It offers features like screen sharing, recording, and virtual backgrounds.

Features

• Screen share
• Rich quality meetings
• AI-assisted drafts for communication 
• Thread summarizes 
• Multilingual 
• Extract tasks from voicemails 

Pricing 

Basic: Free

Pro: INR 1100 per month per user (annual) and INR 1300 (monthly)

Business: INR 1665.83 per month per user (annual) and INR 1999 (monthly)

Business Plus and Enterprise: Contact Sales 

9. Monday

A work operating system that enables teams to manage projects, workflows, and tasks in one centralized platform. Among the operational tools, it offers customizable boards, automation features, and integration with other tools.

Features

• Track progress
• Plan timelines
• Seamless collaboration 
• Real-time assignments and notifications
• Effective visualization 
• Workflow breakdown  

Pricing

Individuals/Small teams: Free

Basic: $27 per month per user (annual) and $9 (monthly)

Standard: $36 per month per user (annual) and $12 (monthly)

Pro: $57 per month per user (annual) and $19 (monthly)

Enterprise: Contact Sales

10. Airtable

A flexible database and spreadsheet hybrid operational tools that allow for organizing and collaborating on information. It offers customizable views, collaboration features, and integrations with other apps.

Features

• Controlled vendor visibility
• SAML-based single sign-in
• Fast and efficient 
• Customized business apps 
• AI assistance for analysis, organization and connection 
• Scale-up options 

Pricing

Individuals/Small teams: Free

Team: $20 per month per user (annual) 

Business: $45 per month per user (annual) 

Enterprise: Contact Sales

11. Zendesk

A customer service software and operations tools that help businesses manage support tickets, customer inquiries, and feedback. It offers knowledge base management, dashboards and data analytics.

Features

• Ticketing system
• Automation
• Multi-channel support 
• Automation, workflows and macros 
• CRM 
• Real-time communication 
• Self-service knowledge base 

Pricing

For Service 

Basic plan: $19 per month 

Suite Team: $55 per month per user (annual) and $69 for one user (monthly)

Suite Growth: $89 per month per user  (annual) and $115 for one user (monthly)

Suite Professional: $115 per month per user  (annual) and $149 for one user (monthly) 

Suite Enterprise:  $169 per month per user  (annual) and $219 for one user (monthly) 

Suite Enterprise Plus: Contact Sales

For Sales

Sell Team: $19 per month per user (annual) and $25 for one user (monthly)

Sell Growth: $55 per month per user (annual) and $69 for one user (monthly)

Sell Professional: $115 per month per user  (annual) and $149 for one user (monthly) 

Sell Enterprise:  $169 per month per user  (annual) and $219 for one user (monthly) 

12. Freshdesk

Similar to Zendesk, Freshdesk is a customer support software and operational tool that provides help desk ticketing, self-service portals, and multichannel support. It offers automation features and reporting tools.

Features

• Custom SSL
• Collaboration
• Agent collision detection 
• SLA management 
• Custom ticket status 
• Thank you detector 
• Scenario automation 

Pricing

Individuals/Small teams: Free

Growth: INR 999 per month per user (annual) and INR 1199 per user per month (monthly)

Pro: INR 3599 per month per user (annual) and INR 4299 per user per month (monthly)

Enterprise: INR 5699 per month per user (annual) and INR 6899 per user per month (monthly)

13. HubSpot CRM

A customer relationship management software that helps businesses track and manage interactions with leads and customers. It offers contact management, email tracking, and sales automation features.

Features

• Social media integration
• Segmentation
• Data sync software
• Snowflake data
• Enhanced data quality
• Programmable automation

Pricing

Individuals/Small teams: Free

Starter: $20 per month 

Professional: $800 per month 

Enterprise: $2000 per month 

14. Salesforce

A cloud-based CRM platform and operations tool that offers a range of applications for sales, service, marketing, and more. It provides customizable dashboards, workflow automation, and integration with other business systems.

Features

• Sales collaboration
• Opportunity management
• Cloud-based services 
• One stop for all information 
• Security and Compliance 
• Scalability 

Pricing

Starter Suite: $24 per user per month (annual)

Professional: $80 per month per user (annual) 

Enterprise: $165 per month per user (annual)

Unlimited: $330 per month per user (annual)

Einstein 1 Sales: $500 per month per user (annual)

15. Google Analytics

A web analytics tool that tracks and reports website traffic, user behavior, and conversions. It offers insights into audience demographics, traffic sources, and content performance.

Features

• Reporting, Visualization and Advertising
• Funnel analysis and exploration 
• Custom definitions 
• Google BigQuery Export  
• Proactive insights  
• Built-in automation 

Pricing - Free

What Is the Future of Operations Management Tools?

The future of operation management tools and, subsequently, operation managers is promising. With BLS having predicted employment growth to be about 6%, the brightest possibility can be attributed to the faster pace of technological developments. The emphasis on sustainability, flexibility and competitiveness is more likely to adopt operations management tools accompanied by:

• Advanced technologies for predictive analytics, real-time decision making and automation of critical tasks.
• Internet of Things (IoT) for improved device connectivity, enhanced operational efficiency, and smarter supply chains and production.
• Blockchain technology to improve operational efficiency and minimize fraud risk.
• Cloud computing provides anywhere and anytime access to ensure seamless remote work functionalities.

Further, the tools are more likely to be user-friendly, robust, integrative, proactive, and evolve continuously to meet dynamic marketplace demands. These endeavors will improve operational performance while assisting in strategic business change programs and contributing to sustainable competitive advantage.

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Conclusion 

Operations serve as the base of any business. It is the most focused part for enhancing the latter’s quality and market presence. Operational management tools are effective in the same. However, utilizing them to ensure the highest efficiency for the business requires an expert and knowledgeable approach. The PMP certification offers insights into the nuances of the function. Simplilearn offers multiple full-fledged courses with hands-on experience. Additionally, the association with top international universities makes the certificate globally recognized. View the programs now to know more.

FAQs

1. What are the 5 P's of operations management?

The five P’s of operations management are: 

1. People: The workforce and their skills, motivation, and management.
2. Processes: The methods and practices used to create and deliver products or services.
3. Products: The goods or services being produced and their quality.
4. Plants: The physical facilities and equipment used in production.
5. Planning: The strategies and tactics used to coordinate and optimize operations.

2. How can technology enhance operations management?

Technology enhances operations management by:

• Automation: Streamlining repetitive tasks and reducing errors.
• Data Analytics: Providing insights for informed decision-making.
• IoT: Enabling real-time monitoring and control of processes.
• AI & Machine Learning: Predicting trends and optimizing operations.
• Cloud Computing: Facilitating remote access and collaboration.

3. How do strategic planning tools benefit operations management?

Strategic planning tools benefit operations management by aligning goals, resource optimization and allocation, by applying risk management and through performance tracking.