Read Time: 4 minutes

Project tracking usually means constant status updates, message digging, and politely begging for progress notes.
These tools bring the updates to you, highlight changes, and keep you informed with almost suspiciously little effort.

What it is: AI layer in Asana that generates progress summaries and flags blockers.
How it helps: You read project updates in seconds instead of chasing them for hours.
Cost: Included in paid plans (~$12/user/month)
Effort to learn: Low if you already work in Asana.
Takeaway: You spend less time gathering updates and more time solving actual problems.

What it is: AI support inside Jira that summarizes tickets and updates your roadmap.
How it helps: You track sprint and project progress without living in ticket threads.
Cost: From ~$7/user/month + AI features rolling out in plans
Effort to learn: Medium if you’re new — low if Jira is already part of your life.
Takeaway: You stay aligned without drowning in software dev noise you never asked for.

What it is: Spreadsheet-style project tracking with AI summaries and change detection.
How it helps: You get instant progress insights without manual board or sheet updates.
Cost: From ~$9/user/month + add-on AI
Effort to learn: Medium — similar to Excel but with more structure.
Takeaway: If you live in spreadsheets, Smartsheet will feel like home but works harder than Excel ever did.

Tracking progress shouldn’t need a no-do-list of chores.
Let AI surface project movement for you so you can actually act on the updates instead of creating them.

Keep hacking your workday - I’ll be back next week!

The Hack The Workday Team

Here’s to saving time - and your sanity at work.