Item: Adobe Workfront
Rating: 8
Author: Erik Viager

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

At my current employer, we leverage Adobe Workfront for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, Workfront is used as a time tracking and resource management platform. Projects are created—whether for client work or internal initiatives—and resources are added. Workfront enables project managers and project contributors to see how a project is tracking (going smoothly, at risk, etc.) and makes the necessary adjustments to remediate timelines and budgets. We also use Workfront to integrate with our financial platforms as well as Workfront Proof for editorial requests (proofing) for client-facing documents such as proposals, pitch decks, statements of work, etc.

Pros and Cons

Time Tracking
Resource Management
Proofing
Project Collaboration

Notifications (sometimes I am emailed when I am tagged, other times I am not)
Certain file formats do not render correctly in Workfront Proof (eg, .XLS files)
It can be difficult to manage projects if you have not been assigned the correct permissions.

Most Important Features

Time Tracking / Timesheets
Project Management
Resource Management
Proofing (realtime collaboration)

Return on Investment

Improved billing rates back to clients
Efficiencies in editorial proofing client-facing documents
Greater adherence to time sheet submission deadlines

Alternatives Considered

OpenAir PSA and Clarizen One

It's been a while since I've used another time and resource management platform, but I would say that Adobe Workfront takes the cake. Its newly refreshed user interface is simple to navigate, whereas other platforms can be quite confusing when "drilling down" on a project. Also, Adobe Workfront has features that I have not seen in other platforms, including collaboration capabilities and the ability to upload a document as proof so it can be reviewed for grammar, consistency, formatting, etc., before being presented or sent to a client.

Key Insights

Do you think Adobe Workfront delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with Adobe Workfront's feature set?

Yes

Did Adobe Workfront live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Adobe Workfront go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Adobe Workfront again?

Yes

Other Software Used

ZoomInfo, Pardot, Salesforce.com, MS SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, OneDrive

Likelihood to Recommend

Adobe Workfront is well suited for most professional services organizations. Any company that has clients on a retainer or project-based terms can benefit from a resource management platform like Workfront. Workfront allows project owners to manage the time allocated to projects and specific tasks (or milestones) within a project. Resources can be added at the project and task level, so it is easy to see who should be working on what. Workfront also makes proofing client-facing documents a breeze. Once uploaded, editors can easily track changes in real time, saving time and creating efficiencies throughout the process.

A solid choice for Project, Time and Resource Management (Plus some bonus features!)

Overall Satisfaction with Adobe Workfront