Project Tools Review: Microsoft Project vs. Smartsheet

PROJECT MANAGERS: Learn several criteria to use while evaluating project scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project and Smartsheet... which (when used properly) can help you to generate dynamic timeline, workload, and cost forecasts for your project, update those forecasts quickly and easily with true progress entry, generate and distribute reports to your project team and customers quickly and easily, and spend less time creating, updating, and generating reports from your project schedule.
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OVERVIEW
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Project scheduling software is an essential tool that should be in every Project Manager's toolbox:
* You need a project scheduling software tool create dynamic timelines, resource plans, and cost estimates for your project.
* You need the ability to share project timeline, workload, or cost information with your team members or customers.
* You may be looking for a less expensive or simpler alternative to Microsoft Project.
There are many options available if you run projects and need the ability to create accurate and dynamic timeline, resource, and cost forecasts. One of the most popular project planning and scheduling software tools is Microsoft Project... but some consider it to be expensive and difficult to learn how to use properly. Smartsheet is a less expensive alternative to MS Project that you may want to consider if you don't have sophisticated project scheduling needs... or a budget to purchase MS Project.
When evaluating project scheduling software tools, the following are important criteria to consider:
* Automatic scheduling engine.
* Resource management features.
* Cost tracking features.
* Progress tracking features.
* Reporting and export features.
If you follow these criteria to select the right project scheduling software tool to meet your needs, then you should be able to:
* Generate dynamic timeline, workload, and cost forecasts for your project.
* Update those forecasts quickly and easily when true progress is captured and entered into the software.
* Generate and distribute reports to your project team and customers quickly and easily.
* Spend less time creating, updating, and generating reports from your project schedule.
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BACKGROUND
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Project Management author and trainer Tony Zink shares his insights on how to use tools and techniques to get better results on projects. Learn how to save time, save money, reduce risks, and provide a more stress-free and pleasant experience for everyone involved in your project. Other topics that Tony discusses:
* Introduction to Project Management
* Resource Management
* Project Portfolio Management
* Risk Management
* Project planning
* Project scheduling
* Project tracking
* Project Management careers
* Project Management basics
* Project Management for beginners
* Project Management fundamentals
* Project Management tips and tricks
* Project Management tutorials
* Project Management training
* Project Management tools
* Project Management software
* IT Project Management
* Software Project Management
* Construction Project Management
* and much more!

[@VeryVocalPro]

Tony, thank you for your review. I thought it was fair, but there were a couple points where you shorted Smartsheet that I think deserve comment. In your video you only dealt with the basic Project sheet. There was a template further down that I have used call Basic Project with dependencies that does include such columns as % Complete already established. You can also create custom templates with custom formatting that you can share and use throughout your org. You didn’t cover any of Smartsheet’s report generation or dashboard generation, two very powerful tools. Also, SS has forms that you can use to have people fill out that generate the project charter and populate a sheet for portfolio management and triage. Since your review, there have also been added approvals and automated workflows. I do agree that Smartsheet suffers from a lack of Resource management features, but there are templates that do include % Allocated columns, so you can distinguish effort from duration. Again, I appreciated your effort and it’s possible some of these differences relate to subscription level, but since you made that distinction with respect to MS Project, vis a vis the Card view, I wanted to make you aware. Thanks!

[@natclayforth3119]

Thanks Tony, really great and unbiased overview of both programs, I found this really useful!

[@jjimen999]

Very good video! Thanks!

[@besttechjobever.675]

Tony, thanks for comparing the two tools! It helps me see you compare features side-by-side. Any plan to compare the paid version of Smartsheet to MS Project Pro? That would be a more fair comparison.

[@MsLori1111]

You're right on target with this Tony!

[@SuburbanDon]

Very useful thanks. .

[@mlmiles1]

For a small contractor, would you recommend the subscription or the desktop version of Microsoft Project?

[@rohitvaikunthsardesai525]

I am trying to understand capabilities of smartsheet from a real estate projects point of view. Honestly I am overhelmed with what all smartsheet can do but at the same time confused in terms of how do I start? What all should I cover and how do I develop a model wherein information related with cost schedule Project data; minutes of meeting periodic updates etc can be stored. Can u pls help me out with some of insights in to this.

[@mlmiles1]

Does Microsoft Planner integrate with the desktop version of Microsoft Project?

[@atiqurrahman8730]

Thanks.