10 Best Workforce Optimization Software in 2024

Managing a growing team at a fast-paced startup can be a lot of fun. But you know what’s our biggest challenge?

Keeping track of project timelines, employee schedules, labor costs, and performance management metrics without losing our sanity. I remember days buried in spreadsheets and endless meetings while trying hard to stay organized and efficient.

That’s when we decided to introduce workforce optimization software into our routine. Suddenly, I could breathe easy with a clear view of task assignments, project deadlines, and overall team productivity. And while the work is still intense, my team and I never have to spend another late night reconciling data manually.

In this blog, I’ll draw from my own experiences to guide you through the best workforce optimization tools available.

Let’s get started. ⬇️

10 Best Workforce Optimization Software 2024

What Should You Look for in Workforce Optimization Software?

When selecting workforce management software, it’s important to focus on features that will immediately enrich your team’s efficiency and productivity.

The right software should streamline processes, improve employee management, and support strategic decision-making.

Here are a few features that I consider must-haves in any workforce optimization software:

Employee performance tracking: Monitors individual and team performance, sets benchmarks, and provides feedback for continuous improvement
Automatic scheduling: Automates shift creation and adjustments based on employee availability and workload, reducing scheduling errors
Payroll management: Facilitates payroll calculations, manages deductions, and ensures timely and accurate employee payments
Rule management: Defines and enforces company policies and legal regulations, ensuring compliance and consistency
Forecast planning: Predicts future staffing needs based on data and trends to prepare for changing workforce demands
AI capabilities: Uses artificial intelligence to predict trends, automate tasks, and provide actionable insights for data-driven decisions

The 10 Best Workforce Optimization Software to Use in 2024

With so many options available, choosing the right workforce management software can be tricky.

I’ve shortlisted the top 10 tools to help you find the best fit to enhance your team’s productivity.

1. ClickUp (Best for HR project management and workforce optimization)

I chose ClickUp for HR Teams as my top choice because it’s an all-in-one project management solution that enhances every aspect of workforce management. It simplifies your recruitment pipeline by organizing candidate applications and hiring efforts.

What I love about ClickUp is its ability to efficiently track performance, engagement, and development using 15+ customizable ClickUp Views, such as Calendar View, List View, Gantt Chart View, and Table View. It does this while keeping all employee information securely organized in one place.

Keep your team on track with ClickUp Calendar View’s drag-and-drop feature to quickly adjust deadlines

To create and manage my documents, wikis, and knowledge bases, I always turn to ClickUp Docs. You can use nested pages and rich formatting options to structure your content and share it with team members.

I find it most convenient to start with pre-built templates for essential HR tasks and customize them to suit my unique needs. So whether you’re streamlining hiring processes, refining onboarding procedures, or tracking employee performance, there’s a ClickUp template to fit your requirements.

Here are two ClickUp templates I swear by:

ClickUp Employee Directory Template

My go-to for organizing and tracking employee information is the ClickUp Employee Directory Template. It allows you to manage and view employee data in multiple formats, so you can easily see which department each person belongs to and who is currently in the office.

ClickUp's Employee Directory Template is designed to help you keep track of your employees and their progress. — ClickUp’s Employee Directory Template is designed to help you keep track of your employees and their progress.

You can use this template to:

Consolidate all employee information in one place
Effortlessly search for coworker details and contact info
Ensure employee records are accurate and up-to-date

The template makes managing your team effortless by streamlining communication, easing the onboarding process, and securing sensitive data—all in one spot.

Download This Template

ClickUp HR SOP Template

Another great option for perfecting personnel management processes is the ClickUp HR SOP Template. This template serves as a central repository for all HR documents, ensuring that policies and procedures are consistent and up-to-date.

ClickUp's HR SOP Template is designed to help you create, manage, and track HR processes and procedures. — ClickUp’s HR SOP Template is designed to help you create, manage, and track HR processes and procedures.

Custom statuses and fields allow you to manage tasks efficiently, while multiple views tailored for specific HR functions, such as Offboarding, Recruitment, and Performance Evaluation, enable streamlined, hassle-free task management.

Download This Template

💡 Pro Tip: You can also try capacity planning templates and tweak them to fit your needs perfectly.

Next, ClickUp Dashboards are a great tool for tracking and reporting on employee performance, customer satisfaction, and engagement, and review completion rates. They update in real time, making it easy to monitor your HR priorities.

ClickUp best features

Customizable fields: Capture detailed employee information with ClickUp Custom Fields, attachments, and external links to keep all relevant data organized and accessible
Tailored statuses: Use ClickUp Custom Task Statuses to visualize and manage workflows for hiring, onboarding, and employee development, ensuring clear progress tracking at every stage
Reminders: Set one-off or recurring ClickUp Reminders for critical HR activities such as interviews, follow-ups, and performance reviews to stay on top of your schedule and never miss an important task
Checklists: Implement ClickUp Task Checklists to streamline and error-proof HR processes, ensuring every step, from recruitment to onboarding, is completed thoroughly
Dependencies: Establish ClickUp Task Dependencies to manage the sequence of hiring, onboarding, and development activities, so that tasks are completed in the correct order
Integrations: Connect ClickUp with your favorite tools and apps to enhance HR operations, streamline workflows, and enable seamless data synchronization

ClickUp limitations

The mobile app may lack some desktop features, limiting functionality on the go
The extensive features may cause a learning curve for some users

ClickUp pricing

Free Forever
Unlimited: $7/month per user
Business: $12/month per user
Enterprise: Custom pricing
ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7/month per user

ClickUp ratings and reviews

G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)

2. Workday (Best for advanced HR and financial management)

Workday is a unified, cloud-based solution popular among HR practitioners in large and mid-sized organizations.

This workforce planning software brings together finance, HR, and planning, providing a single source of truth for real-time reporting and end-to-end processes, from onboarding to payroll to leave applications and more. The integration allows for an intuitive user experience, helping businesses streamline operations and achieve growth.

Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise with multiple systems, Workday offers a robust enterprise management cloud that caters to organizations of all sizes.

Workday best features

Attract and develop talent with data-driven insights using Workday Skills Cloud
Identify trends, risks, and opportunities to guide leaders and managers with tailored action plans
Streamline information access and task completion with user-friendly self-service and smart case management
Improve diversity recruitment and workforce planning by categorizing skills with advanced ontology
Cut manual workload and errors with automation to enhance strategic focus and efficiency

Workday limitations

Applicants often need to re-enter details for different roles, and autofill solutions are not widely available
Manual draft saving is necessary to prevent changes from being lost
The reporting tool lacks flexibility and does not include a query compiler for Human Capital Management (HCM)

Workday pricing

Custom pricing

Workday ratings and reviews

G2: 4/5 (1300+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.4/5 (1300+ reviews)

3. Workofo (Best for AI-powered scheduling and workforce optimization)

Workofo is an AI-driven workforce optimization software that elevates scheduling and management by forecasting workloads and creating tailored schedules for your business.

I found its mobile app helpful as it ensures smooth communication and easy access on the go.

Workofo combines advanced AI technology with expert consulting and interaction analytics, making it a great fit for medium to large-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, and distribution.

Workofo best features

Analyze over 60 million schedule variations to provide the best fit
Leverage AI to predict workload and optimize schedules with a 15-minute accuracy
Integrate around 80 parameters, including regulations and internal rules, for tailored optimization
Split shifts, balance service levels across locations, and adjust hours based on predictive traffic and business needs
Save 5% to 15% of employee time by cutting unnecessary overtime and reallocating resources for greater productivity

Workofo limitations

The effectiveness of its AI features depends heavily on accurate and complete input data
Integrating with existing HR or payroll systems may require additional services

Workofo pricing

Custom pricing

Workofo ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

4. Ultimate Kronos Group [UKG] (Best for comprehensive workforce management and employee engagement)

UKG is dedicated to enhancing organizational success by focusing on people, workplace culture, and trust. It is designed to support diverse workforces, engage employees, and drive meaningful business outcomes.

UKG offers a range of powerful solutions designed to enhance human resource planning and workforce management, including UKG Pro Workforce Management, InTouch DX, and Talk.

UKG best features

Optimize employee schedules with up-to-the-minute information for peak efficiency
Automate and streamline tax processing with accurate calculations and compliance features
Simplify global payroll with ease, ensuring accurate pay across 160+ countries through UKG One View
Build and maintain compliant business processes with features that align with regulatory requirements

UKG limitations

Frequent security authentications can be cumbersome and time-consuming
Even rapid response lines can have long wait times of 2-3 days
Paid service requests may face extended turnaround times
Occasional bugs impact functionality and require troubleshooting

UKG pricing

Custom pricing

UKG ratings and reviews

G2: 4.2/5 (1490+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.3/5 (590+ reviews)

5. Papaya Global (Best for global payroll management and compliance)

Papaya Global simplifies payroll and compliance management for organizations with diverse teams, offering a single solution in over 160 countries. With Papaya, you can handle payroll in multiple currencies and adhere to local regulations without getting bogged down by administrative details.

Its real-time insights into workforce data help you focus on retaining top talent—a pressing need for global firms in highly competitive industries.

The platform manages employees, contractors, and Employer of Record (EOR) workers, supporting your employee engagement and job satisfaction efforts.

Papaya Global best features

Ensure global workforce payments are accurate and timely, with full compliance, security, and reliability
Seamlessly connect with HCM/HRIS systems, expenses, T&A, and ERP for efficient data flow
Receive personalized service with Papaya 360 Support, including a dedicated account manager and payroll experts
Streamline payroll accounting with JE Reconciliation, automating error-free journal entries and saving 15-20 hours of manual work per cycle

Papaya Global limitations

You must use the sign-on button from the original email to log in, as saved links or bookmarks won’t work
Switching between payroll tabs may default to the first project in alphabetical order rather than your selection
Invoices may lack detail, and the PTO import system needs improvement

Papaya Global pricing

Grow Global: $25/month per employee (101-500 employees)
Scale Global: $20/month per employee (501-1000 employees)
Enterprise Global: $15/month per employee (over 1000 employees)

Papaya Global ratings and reviews

G2: 4.5/5 (30+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.4/5 (30+ reviews)

6. RELEX (Best for AI-enhanced supply chain and workforce optimization)

RELEX is a sophisticated workforce optimization and supply chain management platform. It leverages AI and machine learning to enhance global retail and manufacturing operations.

Designed for versatility and precision, RELEX integrates various aspects of supply chain management, from demand forecasting to inventory optimization.

This tool is a great option for managing supply and demand, manufacturing, retailing, and merchandising.

RELEX best features

Use task-based optimization to automatically create shifts based on employee contracts, skills, preferences, and local regulations
Address potential staffing shortages or surpluses to maintain a balanced workforce by leveraging capacity planning
Apply accurate workload forecasting to optimize staffing levels, reducing personnel costs by 6-10%
Gain real-time visibility into how changes in demand or supply affect staffing needs

RELEX limitations

It is not a real-time system and relies on multiple data feeds
The interface design is outdated and offers poor visualization, limited customization features, and a suboptimal layout

RELEX pricing

Custom pricing

RELEX ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

7. Verint (Best for customer experience automation and operational efficiency)

Verint is a customer experience automation tool that enhances customer interactions. It’s a good option for those in large customer-facing departments or organizations.

Verint focuses on automation, data insights, and seamless integration to help you optimize your operations, enhance service, provide quality assurance, and deliver better customer experiences.

Verint best features

Adopt a modular, future-proof CCaaS (Contract Center as a Service) solution that evolves with your business needs, ensuring continuous improvement and ROI
Use the Open Engagement Data Hub to analyze interaction data from various sources for actionable insights
Implement AI-powered HR tools and other self-service options in voice and digital channels, enabling efficient issue resolution without human intervention
Utilize advanced forecasting and scheduling tools to optimize workforce planning and increase capacity

Verint limitations

If you choose static scheduling, you have to enter forecasted times for each day manually
The transcriptions for call recordings are not very accurate, which can affect the quality of analysis

Verint pricing

Custom pricing

Verint ratings and reviews

G2: 4.3/5 (220+ reviews)
Capterra: Not enough reviews

8. Calabrio (Best for contact center performance monitoring and agent engagement)

Calabrio, previously known as Teleopti, optimizes contact center performance and boosts customer service. it’s another tool that organizations with large contact centers should consider.

Calabrio focuses on agent engagement and operational efficiency, transforming your contact center into a center of excellence and loyalty, helping you meet your HR goals with ease.

With advanced voice and text analytics, Calabrio streamlines call center workforce management and improves customer engagement strategies.

Its cloud-based suite, Calabrio ONE, integrates workforce optimization, agent performance, and business intelligence, offering a flexible solution for traditional and remote contact centers.

Calabrio best features

Score every interaction to analyze performance across all channels for deep insights into agent effectiveness
Use gamification and focused coaching to inspire self-improvement and boost agent engagement
Offer self-scheduling options to provide agents with the flexibility they need
Provide real-time feedback and performance transparency through personalized dashboards

Calabrio limitations

Some users experience lags when trying to track agent adherence and analyze customer interactions
More transparency is needed for the history of schedule changes, as real-time adjustments by RTA can lack clear documentation

Calabrio pricing

Custom pricing

Calabrio ratings and reviews

G2: 4.4/5 (270+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.5/5 (260+ reviews)

9. Humanity (Best for efficient employee scheduling and database management)

TCP’s Humanity, is a leading employee scheduling solution with AI-powered forecasting. It also has a top-rated mobile app.

The platform offers employee database software that saves you a ton of time on scheduling. You can use it to boost efficiency and enhance staff experiences.

Designed for all types of organizations, Humanity helps you stay on budget and improve employee engagement. You can also manage shift coverage, handle call-offs, and facilitate shift swaps, improving the overall work environment.

Humanity best features

Streamline scheduling with the customer portal and automate shift management
Automate time tracking with Time Clocks to simplify attendance management, ensuring accurate payroll and cost control
Optimize staffing with AI-powered scheduling that forecasts demand, auto-builds, and auto-fills schedules for optimal coverage

Humanity limitations

Recent updates have caused formatting problems with printable PDFs, though Humanity’s support can help resolve these
After vacation approvals, slots aren’t automatically unassigned, requiring manual adjustments
Notification settings can reset automatically, leading to missed updates

Humanity pricing

Custom pricing

Humanity ratings and reviews

G2: 4.3/5 (1000+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.3/5 (290+ reviews)

10. Infor (Best for industry-specific human capital management and operational insights)

Infor provides a range of solutions tailored to industry-specific needs, including financial management, supply chain coordination, planning, scheduling, and order management.

This human capital management (HCM) software optimizes employee performance and enhances workforce strategies.

Infor best features

Integrate and automate processes with Infor’s API Gateway for secure connections, real-time data insights, and a unified user experience
Use Infor Birst to merge workforce analytics with AI-driven insights, pre-built industry content, and data integration for improved decision-making
Apply Infor Enterprise Automation to automate end-to-end processes with integrated RPA and backend solutions
Centralize data across various platforms, including Infor OS, APIs, and third-party apps, to ensure comprehensive availability and accuracy

Infor limitations

Lacks email marketing features, making certain tasks time-consuming
Lacks features like PTO management and recruiting found in other HCM platforms

Infor pricing

Custom pricing

Infor ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

Maximize Workforce Efficiency with ClickUp

Selecting the right workforce optimization software is crucial for enhancing productivity without increasing operational costs. Each tool in this blog brings unique strengths to the table, and I hope you find our roundup helpful in finding the best fit for your organization.

Among all these great options, ClickUp stands out as the most versatile and comprehensive. Its customizable templates, feature-rich docs, and data-driven dashboards help people like me manage tasks, reduce manual errors, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.