Adobe Workfront Review: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

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Key takeaways
  • Adobe Workfront is an enterprise work management solution designed for modern teams seeking top-notch project and portfolio management at any scale.
  • Workfront is designed for more complex projects with multiple fast-moving workstreams and is packed with features for work management, automation, data visualization, and performance management.
  • Workfront streamlines collaboration among teams, integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud, and supports various work methodologies including waterfall, agile, hybrid, kanban, and scrum.

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Adobe Workfront streamlines enterprise projects and work management together in one feature-rich solution. The system encourages collaboration, creation of customizable workflows, and successful project delivery for any team, whether creative, technical, or somewhere in between. With features like built-in templates, collaborative team calendars, and real-time work views and data, there is something for every project manager.

This Adobe Workfront review is the result of extensive research and hands-on experience and covers all important aspects — from features and pricing to benefits and disadvantages — to help you make a well-educated decision.

Adobe Workfront Features

Adobe Workfront stands out among a myriad of project management software solutions with a unique blend of work management sophistication and content integration that is unmatched. 

Here are some features that set Workfront apart from all the others:

Workflow management and approvals

Adobe Workfront optimizes workflows from start to finish with its customizable templates, third-party app integrations, and real-time visibility. Whether you are starting with strategy sessions or planning the delivery of a website, Workfront reduces the need for excessive email and chat exchanges by offering project plan templates, communication tools, and team calendars. Built-in review and approval tools minimize revisions and version control problems. The software supports multimedia content and enables users to set up multi-stage approval workflows, alongside features like interactive content review, side-by-side comparisons, unlimited proof generation, mobile proofing, electronic signatures, and security controls.

Workfront makes assigning tasks to teammates easy through defined templates.
Workfront makes assigning tasks to teammates easy through defined templates. Source: Adobe

Automation and templates

Workfront’s automation features and templates empower project managers by allowing the custom creation of workflows that automatically sync data, streamlining repetitive tasks for quality, timeliness, and consistency. Automation allows for the automatic assignment of tasks, notifications, and status updates, reducing time-consuming manual effort. Customizable templates give users the ability to create standardized workflows, project plans, and official approval processes. You will find that these features improve productivity, reduce human error, and provide a structured framework for managing work seamlessly across projects and departments.

An example of a project template in Workfront.
An example of a project template in Workfront. Source: Adobe

Reporting and dashboards

This robust solution includes customizable, centralized reporting and dashboards to keep everyone informed. Tailor reports using 50+ workflow elements for real-time data. Customizable terminology, layouts, and custom fields make these features flexible and a perfect match for your unique industry, business, and work. Teams can generate utilization reports, track project updates, and manage resource allocation. The software supports unlimited work contributors and report viewers, keeping everyone always in the know.

Comprehensive reports generated in Workfront.
Comprehensive reports can be generated in Workfront, allowing you to track progress more efficiently. Source: Adobe

Built-in time tracking

Workfront boasts a built-in time tracking feature and analytics to help teams manage and record work down to the quarter hour within programs and portfolios. You won’t have to rely on an outside plug-in or other system to keep granular track of tasks and worker time entries so your budget and billing reflect the most up-to-date and accurate numbers.

Workfront’s built-in time-tracking feature.
Easily track project progress with Workfront’s built-in time-tracking feature. Source: Adobe

Collaborative reviews

Workfront’s collaborative proofing and review features enhance teamwork and streamline feedback processes for timely approvals. Teams can annotate files directly within the platform, adding their precise comments on designs, documents, or multimedia content for more accurate revisions. Version control means everyone works on the latest iteration, avoiding confusion and delayed responses. Utilize @mentions to notify specific team members and to facilitate targeted discussions.

Exchange feedback with in-platform commenting features.
Exchange feedback more conveniently with in-platform commenting features. Source: Adobe

Flexible work methodologies

Work how you want while making sure teams of all types adapt and thrive in a familiar environment. Whether you’re an agile development team, a hybrid marketing group, or a waterfall creative agency, choose from customizable workflows to plan and execute the way you know how. Teams can align with agile, scrum, kanban, or hybrid approaches, tailoring processes to their unique needs.

Workfront project agile board view.
Workfront easily adapts to the way teams choose to approach projects, as it is designed to work with agile, waterfall, and hybrid project management methodologies. Source: Adobe

Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

On the forefront of creativity, Workfront’s seamless integration with Adobe’s portfolio of solutions within the Adobe Creative Cloud streamlines collaboration between project management and creative teams. By connecting directly to Adobe Creative Cloud applications, designers, illustrators, and video editors can access Workfront tasks, assets, and approvals without leaving their familiar workspace. This integration ensures smoother handoffs, real-time updates, and efficient asset management, taking productivity and creative output to the next level.

Apps included in the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Apps included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Source: Adobe

Adobe Workfront Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Customizations: Workfront comes with workflows, layouts, forms, and terminology to align with your organization’s unique requirements.
  • Resource management: Experience intelligent resource management that helps you allocate and track all resources so you can avoid overloading or underutilization. Manage tasks, priorities, and timelines using features like timesheets.
  • Collaboration and document management: Workfront makes seamless collaboration possible through features like in-platform annotation and targeted @mentions. There is the version control that ensures everyone works on the latest files, preventing rework and delays.
  • Mobile accessibility: Staying on top of your tasks while on-the-go is easy with Workfront’s mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.

Cons

  • User interface:  Workfront’s complex interface may be overwhelming to some users and add a learning curve that may not be expected.
  • Complexity for simple projects: The complexity of Workfront can be a drawback for simple projects with intricate features, making it more difficult to execute on simple tasks.

Adobe Workfront Pricing

Workfront offers several plans to meet your budget and work management requirements, each with customized pricing available upon request:

  • Select plan includes:
    • Work management
    • Demand management
    • Resource management
    • Review and approval
    • Reporting
    • Views and hybrid work management
    • Integrations
    • Some enterprise administration, security, and compliance
    • Sandbox access and storage
    • Customization
    • Collaboration
    • Education and support
  • Prime plan includes everything in Select, plus:
    • Strategic portfolio planning
    • Enhanced enterprise administration
    • Better security and compliance
  • Ultimate plan includes everything in Prime, plus Workfront Fusion.

Alternatives to Adobe Workfont

The Wrike logo.

Wrike

Wrike, a robust alternative to Adobe Workfront, offers:

  • Colorful interface: Wrike’s bold design and colors enhance usability and navigation, making it visually appealing and easy to navigate.
  • Integrations: Seamlessly integrates with tools like Outlook for streamlined tasks created directly from email.
  • Customization: Wrike can be customized to fit your team’s needs and unique workflow.
  • Task management and collaboration: Excels in task management, scenario planning, and collaboration for top-notch teamwork.

monday.com logo.

monday.com

monday.com offers several features that make it a strong alternative to Adobe Workfront:

  • User-friendly interface: Its colorful design makes for easy navigation and collaboration.
  • Integration flexibility: Seamlessly integrates with various tools, including email for streamlining workflows and communication.
  • Customization options: monday allows you to set up projects to match your team’s needs.
  • Collaboration and project management: Experience efficient teamwork through customizable task management.

Smartsheet logo.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet, another strong alternative to Adobe Workfront, stands out with:

  • Intuitive learning curve: Easy to learn, with terrific training and community support to help users gain expertise.
  • Flexibility and ease of use: Smartsheet allows switching between task lists, schedules, and card views for adaptable project management.
  • Access across devices: Seamlessly collaborate from different devices with responsive support for an optimal user experience.

FAQs

Workfront provides customizable portfolio views, allowing you to prioritize projects based on strategic goals. Its resource management features help allocate resources efficiently.

Yes, Workfront supports various project methodologies, allowing flexibility for different project types.

Workfront allows time tracking at the task level, subtask level, and even custom-defined levels.

Workfront offers extensive reporting options, including custom reports. You can create and tailor reports to your specific needs.

Workfront allows deep customization. You can customize workflows, forms, and terminology to match your organization’s unique requirements.

While highly customizable, Workfront’s complexity may require exploration during initial setup. Evaluate if the customization aligns with your team’s needs.

Workfront integrates with various tools, including email, document management systems, and other project management platforms.

Workfront ensures data consistency through robust integration mechanisms, allowing seamless collaboration across tools.

Bottom Line: Our Verdict

Workfront by Adobe stands out as a comprehensive project and work management solution suitable for diverse teams handling various project types. Its robust feature sets cover all of the bases you might need in any future project no matter the industry. Whether you’re in marketing, technical development, e-commerce, or creative fields, Workfront gives you the tools you need to plan and streamline processes, enhance the visibility of work across teams, and drive successful project outcomes from discovery to launch.

Anne M. Carroll Avatar

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