Smarthsheet

I have implemented and utilized the tool for a program of 500+ resources with 20+ projects streams.

Let me provide a brief overview:

The statement I can think that best fits Smartsheet is it is NOT MS Project as it does not offer all of the features but it is not as simplistic as excel. It falls in the middle of both of those products.

Smartsheet is a SaaS that provides solid functionality for building gantt charts, combining resource information and having an overall tracking mechanism. As with most project software products there is 2 options. The ability to easily implement the basics. If you are just looking to build out gantt charts and share those out to the team this is easy and you can have it setup and going in an hour. The gantts will look just like MS Project and they will be downloadable in project, pdf or excel.

The second scenario is the higher level implementation. There is many "tricks" and tips you can do to the smartsheet(s) themselves by adding formulas which is exactly like excel. The ability to link sheets similar to MS project. Additionally, you can create reports and filters on all the information. This is NOT an overnight process and the report data is only as good as your "input" data.

Overall, This is a really good product if you want to add structure to a team that does not have a single resource. This is good for communicating the WBS and Schedule. I believe the fundamental basics of the product is good to mature a team.

If you are wanting to do a PMO or portfolio management this is not the product for that type of implementation.

Lastly, They have 2 differently licensing models. Be careful on which one you select as this is key to keeping your implementation cost low.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I will be happy to give additional information.