Asana Product Guide
Thinking about purchasing Asana? Our product guide was crafted from our vetted user reviews to give you insights into how the product performs for its current customers. Find out where Asana excels and discover potential pitfalls before you buy.
Highlight the Right Reviews
Throughout the guide below, there are links directly to reviews. Select the reviewers most relevant to you, and those links will be highlighted in blue.
Table of Contents
Project Management and Tracking
Task Management
Users generally praise Asana’s task management capabilities, highlighting its effectiveness in organizing and prioritizing tasks within teams. The platform’s ability to delegate, automate, and track tasks efficiently has been well-received by users across different industries. Asana’s features such as assigning roles, setting deadlines, and creating sub-tasks have been particularly beneficial in streamlining workflows and ensuring accountability. While some users have mentioned minor issues like repetitive tasks or difficulties in task assignment, overall, Asana’s task management functionality is considered a valuable asset for enhancing productivity and project coordination. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana provides an all in one system to delegate and automate what tasks need to be done and when. Every single day we assign roles to one another and view the tasks that need to be accomplished.” – Manager in Social Media, Retail, 1001-5000 employees
“Asana is an excellent tool for managing our organization’s many projects and tasks. It is a flexible project management tool that has improved team collaboration and integration with productivity tools.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“After the deadline is past, the person responsible stops receiving reminders; Some features are not available on the free version; You can only mark 1 person responsible for a task (otherwise you can only assign subtasks).” – Project Manager in Quality Assurance, International Affairs, 1-10 employees
Project Tracking
Users consistently praise Asana’s project tracking capabilities, highlighting its effectiveness in keeping projects organized and tasks on track. They appreciate the ability to assign tasks, track progress, and receive notifications, which contribute to better time management and improved productivity. Reviewers emphasize that Asana’s project tracking feature plays a vital role in monitoring project timelines, analyzing progress, and ensuring accountability within teams. The platform’s intuitive interface and user-friendly tools make it easy for users to manage and track projects efficiently, leading to positive outcomes in project management and progress tracking. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana solves our concerns related to project tracking. It helps us document project plans, track their progress on a daily basis, and keeps relevant colleagues in the loop.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 501-1000 employees
“We use Asana to keep all of our company work organized. This is the platform where all the magic happens and how we keep track of projects and ongoing tasks.” – Employee in Other, Marketing & Advertising, 11-50 employees
“It works well in smaller teams and eliminates the need for Slack or email to collaborate. However, for larger teams collaboration may be difficult to keep track of.” – General Manager in Information Technology, Computer Software, 1-10 employees
Task and Project Assignment
Reviewers consistently praise Asana’s task delegation and project assignment features. Users appreciate the ease of assigning tasks to team members, setting deadlines, and tracking progress within the platform. The ability to assign responsibilities, customize tasks, and maintain accountability is highlighted as a strong point of Asana’s project management capabilities. Some users note limitations such as the inability to assign multiple individuals to a task on the free version and the cessation of reminders after a deadline has passed. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment towards Asana’s task and project assignment functionalities remains positive, with users finding it beneficial for organizing and managing various projects efficiently. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“After the deadline is past, the person responsible stops receiving reminders; Some features are not available on the free version; You can only mark 1 person responsible for a task (otherwise you can only assign subtasks).” – Project Manager in Quality Assurance, International Affairs, 1-10 employees
“Asana is an excellent tool for managing our organization’s many projects and tasks. It is a flexible project management tool that has improved team collaboration and integration with productivity tools.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“Asana is pretty great, and works well for my needs of keeping track of my To Do List. I have used it as a solo entrepreneur for over four years, and plan to continue doing so.” – C-Level Executive in Marketing, Marketing & Advertising, 1-10 employees
Collaboration and Communication
Team Collaboration
Users generally believe Asana excels in team collaboration based on the reviews provided. Reviewers consistently praise Asana for its ability to enhance team collaboration, streamline communication, and facilitate effective sharing of information among team members. The platform’s features like task assignment, subtasks, and comments have been highlighted as valuable tools that promote collaboration and coordination within teams. Users appreciate Asana’s capacity to improve team performance, increase accountability, and foster a more efficient and cohesive working environment. Despite some challenges reported by a few users regarding the management of larger teams, the overall sentiment leans towards Asana being a reliable platform for promoting effective team collaboration and communication. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana has brought in effective tracking regarding team collaboration, which earlier used to be word of mouth.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 501-1000 employees
“Asana lets us assign tasks to multiple people and link them to multiple projects. It also has many integrations that allow us directly interact with various applications without exporters or other processes.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“It works well in smaller teams and eliminates the need for Slack or email to collaborate. However, for larger teams collaboration may be difficult to keep track of.” – General Manager in Information Technology, Computer Software, 1-10 employees
Communication Tools
Reviewers have expressed mixed opinions regarding Asana’s communication tools. While some users appreciate the platform for centralizing conversations, sharing files, and improving team communication, others find it challenging to keep track of discussions and collaborations, especially in larger teams. The ability to compartmentalize conversations and assets within tasks is highlighted as a significant benefit, but some users mention difficulties in managing project progress and tracking accountability. Despite offering effective communication features like notifications and task-specific conversations, Asana’s communication tools may require a learning curve for some users to fully leverage its capabilities. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Difficult to quantify through numbers but it provides the ability to organize every department of the company while connecting them all; high communication ROI.” – Manager in Social Media, Retail, 1001-5000 employees
“Asana fixed team issues like project transparency and communication, improved team performance, and enhanced office and mobile productivity.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“For Project Management, Asana is the choice to pick. It is super simple to set up, edit and use.” – Partner in Other, Internet, 1-10 employees
Integration and Sharing
Users generally praise Asana’s integration capabilities and file management features. The platform’s ability to centralize project files and information in one place is highly valued by users, making it easier to collaborate and share resources efficiently. However, some users have expressed concerns about the platform’s integration with certain tools, such as Microsoft Office 365 and Sharepoint, highlighting the need for better compatibility with a wider range of applications. Despite some limitations, Asana’s integration and sharing functionalities are seen as valuable assets for enhancing team collaboration and productivity. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Integration: Our company uses Sharepoint, and I wish there was an easy integration for that.” – Project Manager in Product Management, Biotechnology, 201-500 employees
“All the files and information about the project is in one place instead of searching through email threads looking for information.” – Professional in Professional Services, Higher Education, 1001-5000 employees
“It is quite difficult to manage complex projects.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Real Estate, 1001-5000 employees
“The mobile app makes the information available on the go – which was helpful on our video shoot.” – Professional in Professional Services, Higher Education, 1001-5000 employees
Planning, Scheduling, and Productivity
Planning and Scheduling
Users generally praise Asana’s planning and scheduling features. Reviewers highlight the platform’s effectiveness in creating and managing timelines, setting deadlines, and utilizing Gantt charts for resource planning. The consensus among users is that Asana excels in providing tools for efficient scheduling and task prioritization, ultimately enhancing productivity and accountability within teams. Some users mention minor areas for improvement, such as the need for enhancements in mobile app functionality. Despite these minor drawbacks, Asana is widely regarded as a valuable tool for effective planning and scheduling in various business functions. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana has helped us track our project timelines and helped us improve our efficiency within 6 months.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 501-1000 employees
“Asana is a project-management tool that offers a great experience when using it. Asana a complete software with project planning, scheduling and budgeting for activities.” – Employee in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 201-500 employees
“We used Asana for monthly, weekly, and daily task management in various functions of our business. Also, we used it for project planning and follow-up.” – Manager in Professional Services, Food Production, 1-10 employees
Productivity and Efficiency
Users consistently praise Asana for its robust productivity and efficiency features, noting significant enhancements in task assignment, progress tracking, and deadline management. The platform’s ability to streamline workflows, improve accountability, and facilitate timely project completion has garnered positive feedback from users across various industries. Asana’s focus on enhancing team efficiency and optimizing work processes has been a key factor in its widespread adoption and positive user experiences. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana has helped us track our project timelines and helped us improve our efficiency within 6 months.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 501-1000 employees
“Asana lets us assign tasks to multiple people and link them to multiple projects. It also has many integrations that allow us to directly interact with various applications without exporters or other processes.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“It is great for us to meet deadlines, improve efficiency and accountability within the organization.” – C-Level Executive in Corporate, Graphic Design, 1-10 employees
Time Management
While some users find Asana’s time management features to be fantastic, allowing for setting multiple dates and assigning tasks effortlessly, others have a more reserved view. The ability to create personal to-do lists and track projects in one place is appreciated by many, but there are also users who feel that the platform’s time management capabilities could be further improved. The consensus appears to be that Asana offers valuable tools for time management, yet there is room for enhancement to cater to a wider range of user preferences and needs. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
“Time management is fantastic. I can set multiple dates within a single larger project by using subtasks. That allows me to set overall goals as well as reminders for the smaller parts of jobs.” – Director in Marketing, Religious Institutions, 11-50 employees
“The biggest impact is in time management. We have centralized task lists that are visible to the whole team, and it helps us stay on top of due dates.” – Strategist in Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, 1-10 employees
“Having a personal to-do list is also helpful. It keeps track of all of the projects you’re assigned in one place.” – Director in Marketing, Religious Institutions, 11-50 employees
Monitoring, Reporting, and Analytics
Progress Monitoring
Reviewers generally praise Asana’s project visibility and status update features. Users appreciate the ability to track progress efficiently and receive timely updates on project statuses. The platform’s progress monitoring capabilities are highlighted as a key strength, allowing teams to have a clear view of tasks, timelines, and overall project advancement. Some users find the progress monitoring tools particularly useful for analyzing project management on a quarterly basis and enhancing team performance. However, a few reviewers mention minor challenges with organizing multiple dimensions in the board view, which could impact tracking progress effectively. Despite this, the consensus leans towards Asana’s progress monitoring functionality being a valuable asset for project management and team collaboration. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana solves our concerns related to project tracking. It helps us document project plans, track their progress on a daily basis, and keeps relevant colleagues in the loop.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 501-1000 employees
“It works well in smaller teams and eliminates the need for Slack or email to collaborate. However, for larger teams, collaboration may be difficult to keep track of.” – General Manager in Information Technology, Computer Software, 1-10 employees
“The calendar view showing due dates for tasks gets messy and hard to read; Integration with email could be better, as many users did not like going to a separate website to view task management.” – Partner in Legal, Law Practice, 1-10 employees
Reporting and Analytics
User feedback on Asana’s reporting and analytics functionality varies, with some praising its effectiveness while others highlight areas for improvement. Reviewers appreciate the convenience of generating reports and the ease of tracking tasks and activities within the platform. However, there are concerns raised about the simplicity of the reporting features and the need for more nuanced time tracking and subproject reporting capabilities. Despite these mixed opinions, many users find Asana’s reporting tools useful for enhancing project timelines, improving decision-making processes, and streamlining operational meetings. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
“CONS: Reporting is simplistic. Doesn’t ‘chase’ users to complete items like some PM solutions. Projects don’t auto-archive.” – Director in Engineering, Computer Software, 11-50 employees
“PROS: Cross platform experience. Great across mobile apps and desktop web; Search. Easy to find anything with advanced search and tags; Reporting. Easily set up favorited views.” – Director in Finance and Accounting, Internet, 201-500 employees
Calendar and Deadlines
User consensus seems to be that Asana’s calendar and deadlines capabilities are highly regarded. Reviewers appreciate the ability to set due dates for tasks, track project timelines, and view shared calendars to stay organized. The feature of assigning due dates helps create clear expectations for task completion, allowing for efficient project management. Additionally, the calendar view in Asana enables users to plan meetings, events, and milestones effectively, enhancing overall productivity and task prioritization. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“The ability to view a shared calendar, as the calendar shows the start and end dates of each task and each project.” – Employee in Customer Service, Computer Software, 1-10 employees
“Dates can only be moved individually—if you change one it does not change any related dates.” – Account Manager in Other, Design, 11-50 employees
“The calendar view showing due dates for tasks gets messy and hard to read.” – Partner in Legal, Law Practice, 1-10 employees
Tools, Accessibility, and Support
Templates and Tools
User sentiment varies regarding Asana’s templates and tools functionality. Some users appreciate the ability to duplicate tasks and build on them using templates, making project planning more efficient. The feature of assigning collaborators at different levels for task tracking is also well-received. However, there are concerns about the complexity of managing complex projects and the limitations in integrating other tools with Asana. Users also express a desire for more free or not-premium features related to templates and tools. Despite these mixed opinions, Asana’s templates and tools play a significant role in enhancing task delegation and project duplication processes for many users. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana is a great option for any team managing multiple projects and passing files through a review process. If you require integrations with multiple tools, Asana’s ecosystem is well-established and the support team can be helpful with implementation. Asana is a flexible tool for growing organizations, but pricing might be an issue for smaller startups.” – C-Level Executive in Corporate, Design, 11-50 employees
“It is quite difficult to manage complex projects. Integration of other tools with Asana is not that great. Payment is required for those additional integrations. There should be user control to delete the people from teams and projects in a much easier way.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Real Estate, 1001-5000 employees
“Templates are very good to duplicate the project tasks and milestones; Collaborators can be added at every level to follow or track the tasks.” – Employee in Information Technology, Computer Software, 51-200 employees
Mobile Accessibility
Users generally praise Asana’s mobile functionality for its convenience and ease of use on-the-go. While some reviewers mention minor issues with the mobile app, such as difficulty in finding certain features or integrations, overall, users appreciate the ability to access and manage tasks efficiently from their mobile devices. The mobile app’s capability to facilitate real-time updates, task assignments, and notifications is highlighted as a valuable asset by many users. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Need improvement on mobile app. Not easy to run on there.” – Employee in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 201-500 employees
“The mobile app was harder to find things on – I started using it at the actual video shoot – and should have spent time acquainting myself with it before I needed information working with our project team.” – Professional in Professional Services, Higher Education, 1001-5000 employees
“It’s been great. Outside of the recent system outages recently, they’ve been super easy to use. I love their mobile app.” – Manager in Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, 201-500 employees
Remote Work Support
Reviewers consistently highlight Asana’s robust remote work support features and its ability to streamline collaboration for distributed teams. Users appreciate how Asana facilitates remote communication and task delegation, allowing for efficient tracking of progress and ensuring accountability among team members. The platform’s cloud-based nature and integrations with other tools make it a valuable asset for remote teams seeking to stay connected and organized regardless of physical location. Additionally, Asana’s customizable features cater to the diverse needs of remote work environments, enhancing productivity and team cohesion. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana is great for teams that are remote. It helps teammates keep in touch and you always know what the status of the task is!” – Director in Marketing, Glass, Ceramics & Concrete, 51-200 employees
“We spend less time emailing and more time working; We are more organized as a remote team; Our process has improved because we can monitor projects in one place” – Account Manager in Other, Design, 11-50 employees
“it taught us this was never going to be a tool we could use; ROI was 90% negative but it pointed me to a different platform we love now” – Analyst in Information Technology, Financial Services, 11-50 employees
User Experience and Interface
User Interface and Experience
Users consistently praise Asana’s intuitive user interface and user experience features. The majority of reviewers find the design pleasing and the interface easy to navigate, enhancing their overall experience with the platform. However, some users have expressed concerns about the cluttered nature of the UI, suggesting that simplifying the layout could improve usability. Despite this, many users appreciate the customizable features that cater to different project management needs, making Asana a versatile tool for various teams and projects. The general sentiment leans towards a positive user experience with Asana’s user interface, with a few areas identified for potential improvement to further enhance usability and functionality. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Clutter – the UI is cluttered and there are too many things happening at once. Trim some of the digital fat to make using Asana a lighter, more pleasant experience; Allow for users to select which notifications to receive vs. which do not.” – General Manager in Information Technology, Computer Software, 1-10 employees
“User interface was hard to figure out for some clients.” – Vice-President in Sales, Computer Software, 51-200 employees
“Great user interface, attractive and fun to use; Task assignment to individuals; Workspace customization to needs of the project.” – Engineer in Research & Development, Biotechnology, 10,001+ employees
“Asana has a simple and easy user interface.” – Employee in Customer Service, Computer Software, 1-10 employees
“Great design; multi-usage options; reminds you of tasks in a nice way.” – Analyst in Customer Service, Food & Beverages, 5001-10,000 employees
Project Planning Tools
Reviewers have expressed mixed opinions regarding Asana’s project planning tools. While some users find it to be a great tool for simple projects and personal task management, others feel that it may not be suitable for more complex or sophisticated projects. The ease of use and customization options are highlighted as positive aspects, but there are also mentions of limitations such as glitches in the user interface and integration issues with other tools. It appears that the effectiveness of Asana’s project planning tools may vary depending on the complexity and specific requirements of the projects being managed. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana is a project-management tool that offers a great experience when using it. Asana a complete software with project planning, scheduling and budgeting for activities. Great with workflow automation. Excellent with Gantt charts. Easy for planning and listing daily tasks. It is a software that is easy to use and very easy to customize, that feature is really great.” – Employee in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 201-500 employees
“Asana is a great project management tool for when you need a simple solution. The free tier has plenty of functionality for small teams and I’m sure the paid tier(s) have some advanced options that would be even nicer. If you need a super involved tool, you may need something more sophisticated, but it gets the job done for us.” – Director in Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, 1-10 employees
“Asana is not really a project management tool, it is good for simple projects only; UI has some glitches (doesn’t save preferences, etc.); Integration with other tools (Office 365, MS Project); No reminders if the working period you entered is on holidays. Asana is a great tool for simple tasks, but only for simple ones.” – Engineer in Other, Environmental Services, 11-50 employees
Management and Organization
File Management
Users generally praise Asana’s document management capabilities. Reviewers appreciate the ease of storing and accessing files within Asana, noting that it streamlines the process of document organization. However, some users express concerns about the lack of advanced features for file versioning and commenting directly on documents. Despite these minor drawbacks, Asana’s file management functionality is generally well-received for its efficiency in handling project-related documents. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
“I would love the ability to comment on files in the app. If someone uploads a pdf or a doc that needs review, then I have to download it, comment on it, and then reupload it. I would love it if it had a way to make comments on the document itself.” – Manager in Marketing, Marketing and Advertising, 201-500 employees
“Also helps with document tracking purposes and to a certain extent managing documents in one place. But, it does not create automatic versioning so it’s not as great as Microsoft SharePoint or One Drive.” – Manager in Product Management, Information Technology and Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Asana allows users to document entire project at one place. This includes documentation, daily progress, adding relevant resources.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 501-1000 employees
Customer and Client Management
Reviewers’ opinions on Asana’s customer and client management capabilities vary. Some users praise Asana for providing a centralized platform that enhances transparency and trust between agencies and clients. They appreciate the ability to track project progress and maintain clear communication with clients. However, others express concerns about the configurability of notifications and occasional lagginess when moving tasks. Despite these mixed reviews, many users acknowledge Asana’s role in improving customer satisfaction, streamlining operations, and reducing time spent on administrative tasks. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Asana has allowed our marketing agency to have a central point of truth to be able to reference for all client projects. We know what tasks were completed, added to the scope, or removed from the campaign. This has ultimately helped to create a better sense of trust between our agency and our clients because they have full transparency into what we are delivering to them.” – Program Manager in Customer Service, Marketing & Advertising, 11-50 employees
“I don’t know where its well suited, maybe a customer service heavy company or where they can dedicate a specific person to create a path.” – Analyst in Information Technology, Financial Services, 11-50 employees
“CONS: Notifications can be made more configurable. I do want to get notifications for tasks shared with me, but not any tasks in my workspace.; Can be a bit laggy when trying to move multiple tasks. (I often need to move 5+ tasks to another project and can’t select a section of a project from the menu.)” – Administrator in Marketing, Marketing & Advertising, 51-200 employees
Task Prioritization
Reviewers consistently praise Asana’s efficient task prioritization features. Users appreciate the ease of assigning priority levels to tasks, allowing for clear identification of what needs immediate attention. The ability to organize tasks by priority, whether high, medium, or low, is highlighted as a valuable tool for effective task management. Additionally, the option to designate due dates for tasks aids in structuring workflow and ensuring timely completion of assignments. Despite some limitations in tracking bugs or adding custom fields, Asana’s task prioritization capabilities receive positive feedback for enhancing productivity and facilitating team collaboration. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
“The ability to tag a task’s priority as high, medium or low (gives team members an idea of what to start with)” – Program Manager in Product Management, Non-Profit Organization Management, 1-10 employees
“Task finished checkmark is a way visual representation of what is done and off your plate.” – Project Manager in Product Management, Biotechnology, 201-500 employees
“Allow for a customizable home. I use my Asana strictly as a to-do list based on due date. I don’t need to assign things by priority – I assign them by time.” – Employee in Other, Marketing and Advertising, 11-50 employees