Pro's Picks: An Affordable, Reactive Project Management Tool

Zoe Kardasis Sturtz

Partner

edit design build studio

Minneapolis

Smartsheet

I’ve used Smartsheet for 10 years for all project scheduling. Prior to integrating Smartsheet into our business, I was hand-building schedules in Excel or on a dry erase board. It was labor intensive and created opportunities for error.

As our average project sizes became larger and more complex, we needed a more automated scheduling system. I needed a system that would allow me to link activities so that if one task shifted, I could see how it would affect other activities and the overall schedule.

We use Smartsheet from initial design and planning all the way through construction and punch lists. My favorite feature within Smartsheet is the ability to view the entire project on an easy-to-read Gantt chart, which I can choose to share with homeowners and project managers. 

I also have the ability to set up email reminders regarding critical items like invoices, selections, or critical appointments. These can be shared with homeowners, managers, and partners as needed. Smartsheet also offers the ability to subscribe and share calendars to your preferred Calendar app.

The basic interface is self-explanatory, and you can build and use your own templates. Smartsheet also offers a much more extensive host of tools for allowing external parties to view or participate, but I prefer to keep the control in-house.

There are online tutorials available and it’s very affordable. As a small company, we pay about $10 per month.