What is Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is a cloud-based dynamic work platform designed to empower teams and organizations to capture, plan, and manage all aspects of their work in a single, intuitive, flexible, and scalable experience. This platform combines the familiarity of spreadsheet tools with advanced project management, automation, and collaboration features.
Key Features and Functionality
Project Management
Smartsheet offers a comprehensive set of tools for project management, including Gantt charts, timelines, and multiple views such as grid, card, and calendar views. This allows team members to switch between different views to fit their preferred working style, all while accessing the same data.
Task Tracking and Resource Management
The platform includes workload tracking and activity tracking to monitor tasks, identify availability, and resolve overallocation issues. It also provides resource management capabilities to ensure efficient allocation of team resources.
Collaboration
Smartsheet facilitates real-time collaboration and content collaboration among team members and stakeholders, both within and outside the organization. Users can comment on and review data within the same sheets simultaneously, and the platform offers streamlined approval processes.
Automation
One of the standout features of Smartsheet is its workflow automation. Users can set up automated workflows, including reminders and updates, to keep work moving efficiently. Custom forms can be created to collect error-free, consistent data that flows directly into the sheets.
Reporting and Dashboards
Smartsheet allows users to compile information from multiple sheets into easy-to-build reports and interactive dashboards. These dashboards provide real-time data, enabling better decision-making and executive reporting. The platform also supports conditional formatting and filtering to focus on specific data subsets and highlight significant trends and patterns.
Integrations
Smartsheet integrates seamlessly with a wide range of applications, including Microsoft Office 365, Google G-Suite, DocuSign, Dropbox, Jira, Tableau, Salesforce, and Slack. This integration capability helps in centralizing organizational data and enhancing the accuracy of shared data.
Customizability
The platform offers customizable templates and the ability to create customized no-code applications to fit specific team needs. Premade template sets are available for various types of projects, such as construction or project management offices, making it easier to get started.
Data and Content Management
Smartsheet centralizes organizational data into a single source of truth, reducing the need to consult multiple spreadsheets and emails. It simplifies the process of combining data from external sources, such as CRMs and ERPs, using tools like DataMesh, which eliminates duplicative data entry and errors.
Security and Access Control
The platform provides secure permission controls, allowing administrators to manage access and actions effectively. This ensures that sensitive data is protected and that team members have the appropriate level of access to perform their tasks.
Benefits
- Real-Time Visibility: Provides a clear, real-time view of all projects, enabling informed decision-making and predictable results.
- Increased Transparency: Clearly shows who is responsible for which actions, enhancing accountability.
- Improved Communication: Reduces the need for email exchanges and lengthy meetings, promoting more efficient communication.
- Enhanced Productivity: Automates actions and streamlines processes, allowing teams to focus more on execution and less on planning.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Brings together teams located globally, facilitating better collaboration and project management.
In summary, Smartsheet is a powerful work management platform that helps teams plan more effectively, deliver projects faster, and increase overall productivity through its robust set of features, integrations, and customization options.