As businesses grow, project management becomes a crucial aspect of daily operations. Every company wants to ensure that its projects are completed on time, within budget, and with the highest level of quality.
Fortunately, there are several software solutions available to assist with project management. Two of the most popular options are Monograph Software and Smartsheet Software. This article will examine these two software solutions and help you decide which is best for your business.
Monograph Project Management Software
Monograph Software is a cloud-based project management tool designed specifically for architects and engineers. This software solution is ideal for small and medium-sized architectural firms. It has project accounting, resource planning, time tracking, and invoicing features.
With Monograph Software, project information is accessible from any device connected to the internet, making it easy for team members to stay updated on project details.
Monograph Software Features
Time and Expense Tracking
One of the primary features of Monograph software is time and expense tracking. This feature is crucial for project management as it helps you track time spent on a project and its associated expenses.
The software makes tracking hours worked, employee utilization, and expenses such as travel, materials, and other costs easy. You can customize the software to match your business requirements and set up hourly and billing rates for employees. With time and expense tracking, you can ensure your projects remain profitable and efficient.
Project Management and Budgeting
Monograph software provides a comprehensive project management tool for architects and engineers. The software allows you to manage your projects from start to finish, from estimating and scheduling to completion, all in one place.
You can set up project budgets and track expenses in real time as they occur. It allows you to adjust your project budgets and schedules to ensure they remain profitable and on track.
Resource Planning
Another critical feature of Monograph software is resource planning. This feature enables you to manage your employees’ schedules to ensure they work on suitable projects at the right time. You can assign job tasks to employees and monitor their progress.
The software helps you identify over-utilized and under-utilized employees to balance workloads and avoid burnout. Efficient resource planning means that you can optimize your team’s productivity and ensure that your projects are completed in a timely and profitable manner.
Monograph Pricing
Monograph offers three different pricing plans catering to varying sizes of businesses. The first plan is called Starter, starting at $49 per monthly user. The starter plan includes time tracking, project management, and financial reporting. The second plan is called Growth and comes at $69 per user per month.
The Growth plan caters to businesses that want to integrate their accounting into the software. The third and most comprehensive plan is Enterprise, which comes at a custom quote. This plan is customizable to the company’s needs with robust features like insights, analytics, and forecasting.
Monograph offers a free demo for prospective clients. The Monograph demo will help you gain insight into how the software can benefit your business and its solutions and allow you to ask questions regarding the features or services offered.
Monograph Reviews
Monograph has several user reviews, which have been generally positive. Many users have cited its ability to streamline their processes, enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency in their company.
The software’s ability to integrate accounting systems and project management was also a significant advantage. Most users agreed that Monograph had increased profitability, transparency, and ease of tracking projects.
Smartsheet Project Management Software
Smartsheet Software is a cloud-based work management and collaboration tool. It offers templates for various industries, including construction and engineering, to help businesses start quickly. The software has a project dashboard, collaboration tools, file sharing, and Gantt charts.
Smartsheet Software is easy to use, with a drag-and-drop interface, and integrates well with other software applications.
Smartsheet Software Features
Customizable Dashboard
The first key feature that Smartsheet offers is a customizable dashboard. This feature allows you to create a personalized workspace that suits your workflow needs. You can add widgets, charts, and graphs that show real-time progress and make it easier for you to monitor ongoing projects.
For instance, if you’re managing a construction project, you can add widgets to check the latest site inspections, project timelines, and budgets. This way, you can make informed decisions while keeping everyone on the team in the loop.
Automated Workflow
Smartsheet also has a powerful automation tool that helps businesses streamline their processes and become more efficient. With this feature, you can automate repetitive workflows such as reminders, approvals, and updating spreadsheets. It will help save valuable time and reduce the risk of errors.
For example, if you’re a project manager, you can create an automated workflow that reminds your team of important deadlines, schedules meetings and sends updates on project progress. You can also delegate specific tasks to individual team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Real-time Collaboration
The third key feature of Smartsheet is its ability to allow for real-time collaboration. This feature allows team members to work together, regardless of location. You can easily share files, make comments, and work on documents together in real time.
This feature is precious for businesses with remote teams or team members working from different locations. It ensures everyone can access the most up-to-date information and work together seamlessly.
Smartsheet Pricing
Smartsheet offers a pricing model based on the number of users and the features required. For individual users, Smartsheet provides a free version that allows users to create and share sheets, import/export them from Excel, and collaborate with others.
For small businesses, the basic version starts at $14 per user per month and includes essential collaboration tools, customizable views, and reporting. For larger organizations, the enterprise version starts at $25 per user per month and includes advanced features such as automated workflows, dashboards, and integrations with other tools.
Before deciding to invest in Smartsheet software, it is essential to see it in action by availing yourself of its demo option. Smartsheet demo allows users to test out all of the features and functionality.
Smartsheet Reviews
Smartsheet has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on G2, a business software review site. Users praise the platform’s ability to improve team organization and communication. They also appreciate the ease of use and the ability to customize sheets and workflows to their needs.
Some users have reported that the platform can be slow, and there is a learning curve to mastering all the features and functionality.
Monograph Software Vs. Smartsheet Software—Final Thoughts
Investing in the right tools is crucial as project management becomes increasingly important. Both Monograph Software and Smartsheet Software offer robust project management capabilities; however, each application has strengths and weaknesses.
If you’re an architectural firm and require a software solution designed for architects and engineers, Monograph Software might be the best choice. However, if you’re looking for a more general project management tool that offers templates for various industries, Smartsheet Software could be the right fit.
By understanding your business needs, goals, and preferences, you can identify the best software solution for you. Whether you choose Monograph Software or Smartsheet Software, you can be confident that you’re equipping your team with a powerful project management tool to help take your business to the next level.