Rubrics work well for assessing a variety of student work, however there are some instances where rubrics would not be necessary or appropriate. For example, a rubric would likely not be necessary for a multiple-choice math test with an objective score; however, a rubric would be perfectly suited to assess a multi-step problem solving test which is more subjectively graded.
Another strength of rubrics is that they communicate learning goals very clearly to both students and parents. Rubrics are evidence-based and widely accepted as an important aspect of good teaching.