What it does
TaskJuggler is an open-source project planning tool built around a text-based task model. It computes timelines and resource assignments from a project outline and constraints, and supports cost and revenue planning, risk, communication, status tracking, and reports. It runs from a command line rather than a graphical drag-and-drop planner.
A project can be specified in a plain-text .tjp file: outline tasks, assign resources, and define schedule constraints. TaskJuggler's optimizer calculates timelines and resource assignments, balances resources, and checks consistency; reports can show Gantt-style schedules along with cost, revenue, risk, status, and progress. The manual says it scales to projects with hundreds of resources and thousands of tasks.
This is a command-line workflow: project data is entered through a text editor, and Ruby/RubyGems are required. The manual says the tool takes effort to master, so teams seeking visual drag-and-drop plan editing may prefer a GUI-first planner. The source is GPLv2 and free to use; installation and an example schedule were not tested.
Strengths
- The optimizer schedules timelines and resource assignments from project constraints.
- Built-in resource balancing and consistency checks help identify schedule conflicts.
- Project plans can include costs, revenues, risks, communication, status, and reports.
Watch out for
- Project data is authored in text files through a command-line workflow rather than a graphical editor, and the manual notes a learning curve.
Best for
- Project managers who need resource and cost planning across constraint-heavy schedules.
- Teams comfortable with text-based project files, Ruby tooling, and open-source software.
Sources
- TaskJuggler - A Free and Open Source Project Management Software - About TaskJuggler (Oct 25, 2026)
- Intro (Oct 25, 2026)
- TaskJuggler - A Free and Open Source Project Management Software - Download (Oct 25, 2026)