Smartsheet Overview
Smartsheet is a cloud-based work execution platform that enables teams to plan, capture, manage, automate, and report on work at scale. It combines the familiar interface of a spreadsheet with powerful collaboration and project management features, allowing users to streamline processes and improve productivity.
Key Features of Smartsheet
- Customizable Spreadsheet-like Interface: Create and manage projects using a familiar grid layout with advanced formulas and cell linking capabilities.
- Collaboration Tools: Share sheets, set permissions, and collaborate in real-time with team members and stakeholders.
- Automation: Set up automated workflows, reminders, and notifications to streamline processes and reduce manual tasks.
- Reporting and Analytics: Generate custom reports and dashboards to gain insights into project progress and team performance.
- Integration Capabilities: Connect Smartsheet with popular business tools and services for seamless data flow and enhanced functionality.
What Makes Smartsheet Unique
- Control Center: Manage multiple projects and programs from a centralized hub, ensuring consistency and visibility across the organization.
- Dynamic View: Create customized, filtered views of project data for different stakeholders without altering the underlying sheet.
- Proofing and Markup: Collaborate on visual assets directly within Smartsheet, streamlining the review and approval process.
- Resource Management: Allocate and track team members' workloads across projects to optimize resource utilization.
- Bridge: Connect Smartsheet to on-premises data sources securely, enabling real-time data synchronization.
Is Smartsheet Right for Me?
Signs You Need Smartsheet
- Missed deadlines and budget overruns
- Lack of visibility into project status
- Difficulty coordinating cross-functional teams
When Smartsheet Isn’t the Right Fit
- Small teams working on straightforward tasks
- Projects with minimal dependencies or resource constraints
Customizing Smartsheet
- Custom Sheets and Templates: Create and save custom sheet layouts and templates tailored to specific project types or workflows.
- Conditional Formatting: Set up rules to automatically highlight important information or status changes within sheets.
- Custom Forms: Design forms to collect and input data directly into Smartsheet, streamlining information gathering.
- Workflow Automation: Build custom automated workflows using a combination of triggers and actions.
- API and Connectors: Integrate Smartsheet with other business tools and create custom applications using the Smartsheet API.
Is Smartsheet Worth It?
Smartsheet is worth it for businesses seeking to streamline project management, improve collaboration, and automate workflows across teams and departments. Its robust features, including real-time updates, custom automation, and integrations with popular business tools, can boost productivity and visibility for medium to large organizations managing complex projects or processes. However, for small teams with simple project needs, Smartsheet's advanced capabilities and pricing might not align with their requirements.
How Much Does Smartsheet Cost?
Competitors to Smartsheet
Vendor | Reasons to Consider | Best For |
---|---|---|
Asana | User-friendly interface, strong task management features | Small to medium-sized teams focused on task-based work and agile methodologies |
Atlassian (Jira and Trello) | Comprehensive project management tools, especially strong for software development | Software development teams, IT departments, and organizations using Agile methodologies |
ProjectManager | Robust project planning and resource management features | Traditional project managers and teams requiring Gantt charts and resource allocation |
Linear | Modern, streamlined interface designed for software development teams | Tech startups and software development teams looking for a minimalist, fast tool |
Monday.com | Highly visual, customizable workspace with a variety of views | Creative teams and organizations that prefer a highly visual approach to project management |
Plane | Open-source project management tool with a focus on simplicity and customization | Development teams and organizations that prefer open-source solutions and have technical expertise |
Open Source Alternatives to Smartsheet
Projects | Reasons to Consider | Best For |
---|---|---|
OpenProject | Comprehensive project management features including Gantt charts, agile boards, and time tracking | Organizations with complex project management needs and technical resources for deployment and maintenance |
Plane | Simple and customizable project management tool with self-hosting and cloud options | Development teams and organizations that prefer open-source solutions and have technical expertise |
Taiga | Agile-focused project management tool with support for Scrum and Kanban methodologies | Software development teams and organizations adopting Agile practices |
Redmine | Flexible, web-based project management and issue tracking system | IT teams and organizations with technical expertise looking for a customizable solution |