A Bitrix24 Alternative

Bitrix24: Multifunctional Collaboration Software

Bitrix24 is a multifunctional web-based collaboration platform for communication, CRM, support, and also task management and project management. In this Bitrix24 project management software review, we focused on the latter area and evaluate the system as a project management tool and task management software. To be fair, though, it must be said that Bitrix24’s strength lies in its CRM module.

General Functionality

Deployment

Bitrix24 project management software can be operated on your own server (On Premises) or used as Software as a Service (SaaS) in the cloud provided by the vendor. The vendor guarantees compliance with European data protection standards. Data is stored exclusively within the EU.

Projects and Project Types

In Bitrix24, tasks are managed in groups. Projects are a special type of group. When creating a project, you can choose from a list of predefined group types that cannot be modified. The type mainly determines the visibility of a project for users as well as the available applications (chat, calendar).

Groups and projects can be copied in Bitrix24.

Issues and Issue Types

Bitrix24 has no concept of issue types. Only tasks are managed. When creating a task, you can use task templates and set the associated task attributes. This means you cannot distinguish between a bug report, a feature request, and a project task.

Issue Hierarchies

This Bitrix24 project management software review found that the system offers exactly one level of hierarchy. These “sub-tasks” are partially handled and displayed differently from “regular” issues. A hierarchical structuring of work packages cannot be achieved with this.

The type of subordinate issues cannot be restricted based on the type of the parent issue. This means, for example, it cannot be prevented that an issue of type “Car” is subordinated to an issue of type “Engine.”

Notifications

Bitrix24 has a simple, configurable notification system.

Email notifications are based on predefined templates that cannot be customized. There is an @-mention function and a reminder function.

Access Permissions

You cannot define custom roles with corresponding permissions. Predefined roles are available at the project level and are applied to all tasks. This means access can only be controlled at the project level, but not for individual tasks within a project.

Attributes

Attributes (fields) are configurable in a rudimentary way. You can define task templates that contain custom fields. There is a small selection of custom attribute types (text line, number, date/time, yes/no). Bitrix24 thus offers only limited support for custom fields.

The behavior of standard attributes can be meaningfully adjusted, such as the default value for a start or end date.

Input Forms

In Bitrix24, input forms are defined via task templates. Fields can be arranged one below the other, with one field per row. The order of custom fields can be set freely.

Dependencies

In project management as well as task management, issues are often related to one another. For example, a task cannot be started before another one is completed. Or an issue cannot be closed before a dependent issue has been resolved.

Bitrix24 provides basic support for defining dependencies or links.

Cockpits

The system provides users with an overview page (cockpit, dashboard).

Each user has the option of using preconfigured cockpits or assembling a custom cockpit from an extensive list of cockpit tiles. However, there are no cockpit templates, and cockpits cannot be centrally assigned to users by system administrators. The following cockpit elements are available, among others:

• My issues
• Number of issues in state X over time
• Activity stream
• Predefined filters

Reporting

Reports can be exported from Bitrix24 to Excel based on report templates. The report templates can be customized to your own needs relatively easily and support output to Excel.

User Management

Synchronization of Bitrix24 with a directory server is not supported.

Bitrix24 does not offer integration with common single sign-on systems.

The system supports two-factor authentication.

User Interface and Usability

The software offers a clean, well-organized, and modern-looking user interface. Regular users can get up to speed fairly quickly, even without training. Context-sensitive help guides you when something is not immediately obvious.

For configuration, you need to become familiar with the basic concepts of Bitrix24. There is material available in the form of tutorials, videos, slide decks, and user manuals. Training courses are also offered.

The user interface can be customized to meet user requirements. The available menu items can be individually configured for each user or group of users.

Interfaces and Extensibility

Through a comprehensive REST interface, nearly all functions available in the Bitrix24 user interface are accessible programmatically. For example, users can be managed, projects created, modified and deleted, or queries executed.

Bitrix24 cannot be extended by the user — there are no suitable interfaces for this.

Task Management

Delegation

This task management software supports delegation only by assigning a new responsible person. It is not possible for the delegating person to create a list of tasks they have delegated.

Deputy Function

In Bitrix24, it is not possible to assign a deputy to each user. The deputy therefore cannot step into the rights of the original user in case of vacation or illness and act on their behalf.

Recurring Tasks

Some tasks and appointments repeat on a cyclical basis — for example, every first Monday of the month. Handling such series of issues can be very helpful and time-saving in task management.

Bitrix24 allows the creation of recurring issues in the same way you would expect from good calendar applications.

Time Tracking

This Bitrix24 project management software review revealed that Bitrix24 allows you to track the effort (time and money) for each issue and assign it to accounts. Accounts can be grouped into cost centers and released for projects.

There is an option to use timers within the application to automatically log time spent. Reports provide an overview of who was working on which activities during any past time period.

Support for the Getting Things Done Method

The Getting Things Done method is a proven approach to personal work organization. It allows for the personal categorization of issues, such as personal follow-up dates or personally marking issues as favorites.

In Bitrix24, the GTD method is not implemented.

Support for the RACI Matrix

For task management and project management, the RACI method defines four issue-specific roles through which project participants can be associated with a task. Roles are normally assigned for a project rather than for an individual issue — for example, there is a project manager or Scrum Master for the entire project. RACI, on the other hand, allows roles to be assigned on a per-issue basis (see /de/blog/projektmanagement/methoden/raci-matrix/).

This Bitrix24 project management software review found that unfortunately there is no way to model a RACI matrix.

Workflows

Workflows are typically represented in task management systems in two forms. The first method relates to the workflow of an issue as it passes through various stages. The second method involves defining sets of tasks and then working through them.

Bitrix24 supports both methods. There is a table-based workflow editor for issue-based workflows. Using area templates and aggregate issues, simple, small workflows in the form of task packages can be created.

Project Management

Programs and Portfolios

In many organizations, projects run within programs, portfolios, or product areas. Groups of projects need to be consolidated so that you can maintain an overview.

A basic prerequisite for program or portfolio management is the ability to group and hierarchically arrange projects.

Bitrix24 unfortunately offers no support for program and portfolio management.

Subprojects

Larger project undertakings with many issues cannot be adequately structured through issue hierarchies alone — they must be broken down into subprojects. Subprojects may require different processes, for example for hardware and software development. This Bitrix24 project management software review found that the software does not support subprojects.

Multi-Project Reports

All queries and reports can span multiple projects and subprojects, which can be freely defined using appropriate filters. Bitrix24 supports the creation of reports (tables) across multiple projects; they can only be exported to Excel.

Work Breakdown Structure

Before a project plan can be created, the activities to be performed or the deliverables to be produced must be structured. In order to represent such a product structure or Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), issues must be able to be arranged hierarchically to any depth.

Bitrix24 supports only one level of hierarchy with sub-tasks. This means WBS or project plans cannot be created.

Interactive Gantt Chart

Gantt charts allow you to define and visualize the timeline of project activities as well as predecessor-successor relationships. Bitrix24 offers a simple, interactive Gantt component. It is not possible to display the critical path. There are also no project progress bars, and you cannot compare the current plan against a baseline.

Resource Planning

Resources of various types can be managed and assigned to issues. There is a view that shows resource utilization over time, making overallocation or underallocation immediately visible. Resources can be organized by project or department.

Staff Availability

There is no way to map staff availability in the system and take it into account during resource planning.

Project Progress

Displaying project progress is not supported in Bitrix24.

Agile Project Management

For software developers, integrations with source code management systems such as Git and Subversion, as well as with CI/CD servers such as Gitlab and Jenkins, are missing.

Alternative Solutions

Bitrix24 offers the best support for CRM-oriented projects of all the solutions tested. Awork is one possible alternative. You can find an awork review here.

See for yourself what the comprehensive project management software Allegra has to offer and book a free live demo.