Project management software solutions have changed how teams and organizations execute and deliver projects. Software solutions are no longer limited to enabling project management; they now serve as collaboration tools for task automation to simplify workload distribution and project monitoring. Using the latest innovative features, organizations of all sizes can operate in real-time and project managers can oversee team members remotely.
These tools and software enable organizations to increase productivity using resource planning and management, budgeting, time tracking, and task distribution. They also help in risk and issue management.
Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project for the Web are two popular software solutions. This article offers a detailed comparison of the two products to help you determine the most suitable product for your business needs.
What is Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is a dynamic, spreadsheet-like online collaboration and work management platform. It helps manage various project types and allows users to track customer information, assign tasks, and easily monitor activities and communications. Smartsheet also supports organizations in handling different projects from a single location. It is a cloud-based product that is suitable for all business sizes.
Smartsheet delivers a spreadsheet-like platform equipped with project management and analytics tools to handle different types of work data. It has built-in customizable templates that help users plan projects, assign tasks, create and share calendars, track budgets, perform cost analysis, visualize data, and monitor progress and team performance.
As mentioned above, Smartsheet facilitates project management and collaboration. However, it’s not the only option in the project management domain. Smartsheet alternatives include Monday.com, Wrike, Microsoft Project, Trello, Teamwork, and Workfront.
How to use Smartsheet
Project managers can use Smartsheet to manage tasks and projects. It allows project managers to assign deadlines and tasks and provides document attachments and detailed reporting features. The following features and usage give Smartsheet an advantage over its competitors.
- Smartsheet is a familiar spreadsheet-like platform that provides different views (timeline view, grid view, etc.) to ease assigning tasks to dependencies and team members.
- Smartsheet lets you create teams, enabling managers to organize and assign work in a meaningful way.
- Smartsheet has strong controlling and monitoring capabilities and provides meaningful reports which enable organizations and managers to assess project progress at any given time.
- The timeline feature and Gantt chart allow users to view tasks set to be completed in a given timeframe. With this schedule, users can see project conflicts or overlaps.
- Smartsheet allows users to upload documents to specific files.
- Smartsheet can be integrated with over 100 digital platforms such as Dropbox, Outlook, Gmail, and Slack.
What is Project for the Web?
Project for the Web is Microsoft’s latest cloud-based project management application. MS Project for the Web (also known as Microsoft Project) can be accessed via a web browser and has the work management capabilities to empower project managers and relevant team members to plan and manage tasks of any level and size. Microsoft Project for the Web allows teams to:
- Work together remotely.
- View project roadmaps.
- Schedule tasks.
- Create and track milestones.
- Compile reports.
MS Project for the Web integrates with most of Microsoft’s other online offerings, allowing a smoother workflow across Office 365, Power Apps, and Microsoft Power Automate. Project managers can assign and schedule tasks, and team members can view project progress, check the status of tasks, and even create reports.
Read Microsoft Project for the Web pros & cons to know more about this software
How to use Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project for the Web is a convenient project management tool that provides users with a variety of monitoring, controlling, and planning alternatives, including three different grid views:
- Data Grid View
- Kanban-style planning
- Timeline for Gantt charts to view various tasks and their dependencies
By using Project for the Web, you can perform the following tasks:
- Schedule projects.
- Establish tasks and distribute them among team members.
- Track in-progress projects.
- Assist teams with budgeting and cost estimation.
- Analyze “Earned Value Analytics” to determine the cost performance of each project.
Microsoft Project vs Smartsheet
While both are practical project management tools, see the chart below for a detailed Smartsheet vs. Microsoft Project comparison to help make the right decision for your organization’s needs.
| Smartsheet | Microsoft Project for the Web | |
| Gantt charts | √ | √ |
| Workload | √ | √ |
| Workflow tracker | √ | √ |
| Collaboration | √ | √ |
| Resource management | √ | √ |
| Different working spaces | √ | √ |
| Online support | X | X |
| Baseline | √ | √ |
| History of changes | √ | X |
| Access via public URL | √ | √ |
| Simple UI | X | X |
| Preconfigured templates | √ | √ |
| Personal calendars | √ | √ |
| Full-featured free trial | √ | √ |
| All actions autosave | √ | √ |
| Virtual resources | X | √ |
| Resource costs | X | √ |
| Export configurator | √ | √ |
| Export preview | √ | √ |
| Advanced auto-scheduling | X | √ |
| Gantt chart includes workload | √ | √ |
| Board view | √ | √ |
| Project calendars | √ | √ |
| Table/List view | √ | √ |
| Reports | √ | √ |
| Portfolio management | √ | √ |
| Mobile app | √ | X |
| SSO | √ | √ |
| API | √ | √ |
| Time tracking | √ | √ |
| Filter | √ | √ |
| Skins and modes | √ | √ |
Conclusion
The above discussion and table provide a detailed comparison of Microsoft Project vs Smartsheet. This thorough review helps businesses understand the different features and choose the right product for their organization’s strategic and operational objectives. While Microsoft Project for the Web and Smartsheet are potent tools with similar characteristics, they are set apart by their distinct features. After thoroughly reviewing the above comparison, a suitable product can be selected to meet your organizational needs.
Learn about the best way to switch from Smartsheet to Project for the Web by reading our blog