Critical Tools

Critical Tools is a provider of project management training and consulting, primarily for Microsoft Project, and has been in business since 1991. The company is located in Austin, Texas, and its flagship product is WBS Schedule Pro, which combines WBS Charts and Network Charts for planning and managing projects.

The company offers a full version of WBS Schedule Pro, a WBS Version without Network and Gantt Charts, and a PERT Version without WBS and Gantt Charts. Upgrading from either the WBS Version or the PERT Version to the full software costs $150.

Pricing for single licenses starts at $349, but generous quantity discounts apply for 5 or more licenses. For example, 5 to 9 licenses cost $315 each, while 10 to 24 licenses drop to $280 each, with further reductions for larger orders.

The website states that for purchases made since 2020, support, maintenance, license management, registration, and renewal are all free. For purchases prior to January 1, 2020, a one-time renewal fee of 15% of the original purchase price applies.

A 4 out of 5 rating from 9 reviews on Trustburn shows a strong positive trend, with multiple 5-star ratings praising the tools as 'top-notch' and 'superb' for streamlining workflows and improving productivity.

The company has been operating since 1991, with its first product WBS Chart Pro released in 1994, and it moved to Austin, Texas in 1996 before becoming a Texas Corporation in 1998.

Critical Tools is a Microsoft Certified Partner that is active in the ISV/Software Solutions Competency, with its software independently tested and certified by VeriTest, a service of Lionbridge Technologies.

The software integrates with Microsoft Project, supporting various versions and allowing users to create WBS Charts to brainstorm projects by breaking them down into manageable pieces using a Top-Down approach.

Users on Trustburn frequently praise the intuitive nature of the website and the quality of the tools, noting that they are easy to use and have been a game-changer for completing projects efficiently.

The company provides electronic delivery for its software, allowing users to receive their license immediately after purchase and start working right away without waiting for physical media.

The business can be contacted via the phone number +1 512-342-2232 or through the email addresses [email protected] for sales inquiries and [email protected] for technical support.

The company offers enterprise-wide site licenses for organizations needing broader access, and quantity discounts are only offered on a per-order basis rather than automatically applied.

Some users on Reddit refer to the company's tools as 'critical tools' for law enforcement, though this appears to be a thematic coincidence rather than a direct reference to the software's capabilities.

The FAQ on the official website addresses common technical issues such as blank screens when interacting with MS Project, corrupted installations, and automation errors when clicking buttons within the software.

The company's website includes a 30 Second Guide to help new users get started using WBS Schedule Pro, and it allows users to save or print to a PDF file directly from the software.