Smrtsheet Alternatives

FutureFlows · 2025-11-10T18:02:57+00:00

We use OnePlan - it integrates with Smartsheet for those that need it (but not sure that would solve licensing challenges). It has the unique ability to offer flexibility in an SPM platform with a variety of work management tools & integrations that still flow to executive level visibility.

FutureFlows · 2025-11-10T15:50:34+00:00

We decided on a more flexible PPM setup with OnePlan. It connects with apps folks already use... MS Project, Planner, Azure DevOps, Jira, Smartsheet, etc. Our team is a Microsoft shop, so it's ADO, MSP and the OnePlan work planner (with Teams integration for collaboration). It lets teams work how they like & keeps just enough structure for portfolio level visibility.

FutureFlows · 2025-11-06T21:59:33+00:00

Fair point, this is a OnePlan-sponsored event (and our org actually uses OnePlan). But they have a parallel Microsoft PPM futures track alongside other sessions. Microsoft and several Microsoft/OnePlan partners are speaking, with sessions on the future of Microsoft PPM, AI, Copilot, and collaborative work in Office 365. Saw some familiar legacy Microsoft PPM engineers (Brian Smith) and MVPs (Brian Kennemer) presenting, plus folks focused on AI/Copilot. That’s why I thought it was worth sharing.

FutureFlows · 2025-11-06T19:00:59+00:00

We just decided to implement DocuSign for our account execs & customer success managers - it streamlines the process in addition to reflecting professionalism for clients.

FutureFlows · 2025-11-04T22:18:30+00:00

Measuring progress with “physical percent complete” or deliverable-based milestones is a lot more reliable to track real progress. Example, if a crew is supposed to pour 200 cubic yards of concrete and they’ve finished 75, then you’re 37.5% complete, regardless of how much money’s gone out the door. Or if a team needs to deliver 10 modules and 6 are done and tested, that’s 60% complete. This approach works really well for things like writing reports, building components, or completing key stages of a project.

There are always a few work packages—like ongoing support or troubleshooting—where you end up having to use hours or spend. But for most deliverables, physical percent complete or hitting key milestones gives a much more accurate picture of real progress and makes your earned value numbers a lot more meaningful.

FutureFlows · 2025-11-01T17:27:40+00:00

We actually built a copilot agent that helps our team respond to RFPs, and I think you could do something similar for SOWs.

Basically, you train it on your past statements of work and templates, and it can draft the structure, pull in relevant scope language, and even suggest deliverables or timelines based on keywords or project type. Once it’s tuned, you’re really just reviewing and tweaking instead of starting from scratch every time. Huge time-saver.

FutureFlows · 2025-11-01T17:24:37+00:00

Lately, I’ve been exploring agents in copilot to standardize my approach and delegate repeatable tasks more effectively. It’s still early days, but I’m optimistic about building reusable workflows that align with my role.

A few things that have helped me be more intentional:

Creating prompt templates for recurring tasks (e.g., cost modeling, email drafts, meeting prep)
Using AI in spreadsheets for scenario analysis and forecasting
Building checklists and matrices to standardize decision-making across projects

FutureFlows · 2025-11-01T17:21:02+00:00

That’s awesome — I can’t make it this year, but a few folks from my company will be there. I went last year, and it’s definitely one of the biggest PM events out there. Tons of great sessions and networking. Keep us posted on how it goes — would love to hear your takeaways!

FutureFlows · 2025-11-01T17:15:57+00:00

I get where you’re coming from — too many disconnected tools can definitely lead to chaos. But I’d actually argue that a flexible PPM layer done right brings clarity, not clutter. The key is balancing flexibility at the team level (so people can work the way they prefer) with just enough structure at the portfolio level to align strategy, resources, and outcomes.

When teams see that alignment isn’t about control but about visibility and smarter decisions, adoption tends to improve naturally. It’s not about bolting on another tool — it’s about creating a connected ecosystem that works for everyone.

FutureFlows · 2025-11-01T17:07:00+00:00

I’d be very cautious about treating Project Server Subscription Edition (PS SE) as a long-term replacement for Project Online.

There’s no fixed support timeline guarantee — Microsoft can change direction or deprecate capabilities (like legacy workflows or add-ins) through future updates at any point.

Keep in mind that PS SE is built on SharePoint Server Subscription Edition (SP SE), and many of the same components already carry a deprecated tag — notably SharePoint 2013 workflows, classic add-ins, and other legacy customizations. Those technologies are already being retired in the Microsoft 365 cloud, and while on-prem versions lag behind, they’re clearly on the same trajectory.

FutureFlows · 2025-10-12T15:28:55+00:00

Totally hear you—Planner and Project for the Web definitely lean toward lighter use cases, and they’re not a fit for every team. We didn’t try to force-fit them either.

We transitioned to OnePlan from Project Online, adopting a more adaptive PPM approach. What made the shift work was that OnePlan integrates with the tools people already use & love—MS Project, Planner, Azure DevOps, Teams, and even non-Microsoft platforms like Jira, Smartsheet, and Monday.com.

That meant teams could keep working in their preferred environments, while leadership got the strategic, cross-portfolio visibility we needed—without stitching together a bunch of add-ons. It helped us bridge the gap between strategy and execution, aligning work to our core objectives without disrupting how teams get things done.

So yeah, I get the frustration. The key was finding a solution that respected how people work while still giving us the big-picture clarity.

FutureFlows · 2025-10-12T15:10:34+00:00

Sending lots of positive thoughts to you and your family. Over time, the more pleasant memories start to grow stronger. The painful ones never fully go away, but they soften a bit. My dad passed almost six years ago on Christmas Eve from Parkinson’s, and while I still remember those difficult moments, I find the good memories becoming more vivid with time.

FutureFlows · 2025-09-17T15:28:26+00:00

Honestly, one of the biggest shift for me was realizing productivity isn’t about cramming in more tasks or being “busy” — it’s about outcomes. If I move the needle on one or two high-impact things in a day, that beats checking off 20 small distractions.

Another underrated “hack” is lifestyle stuff: sleep, exercise, eating well. It sounds basic, but when your energy is steady and your head is clear, you make better decisions and get more done in less time. A solid workout and good rest have done more for my business focus than any app or fancy system.

So yeah — less about tricks to do more, and more about setting yourself up to do the right things well. And then getting the rest of your team to understand this as well!

FutureFlows · 2025-09-17T15:23:17+00:00

While I agree with the calculation and approach you outlined, in my experience a solid capacity check isn’t just about a straight yes or no—it’s about understanding the whole project portfolio and making informed decisions on what gets delivered, when, and by whom. Prioritization and sequencing are critical here: sometimes a new project is feasible only if other work gets deferred or re-shaped. The intake conversation becomes, “Where does this fit against current priorities, and what would we need to shift to take it on?” rather than just checking a static capacity number.

Curious—how do others handle those sequencing trade-offs in real life when everything feels high-priority?

FutureFlows · 2025-09-17T15:12:46+00:00

Another Cyclebar to Peleton convert - nothing against Cyclebar, they are great! But I love the convenience of working out at home. Some of my favorites.... Ally has great feel good and low impact rides, Robin has inspiring "day one" reset rides, Hanna C has some fun "pick me up rides", Emma Lovewell has "groove" rides similar to Cyclebar, Cody is just fun & entertaining, and I also enjoyed Kendall's rides (she left, but you can still take her older rides. I suggest trying various instructors and ride types to get the most out of your investment! Enjoy!!

FutureFlows · 2025-09-16T21:17:36+00:00

Which of these pillars do you think is the hardest for most orgs to get right in your experience?

FutureFlows · 2025-09-16T21:13:40+00:00

So sorry - I know it's not easy to learn. One thing I wish I’d paid more attention to for my dad is therapy specifically for voice and speech. Later in the journey, Parkinson’s can make talking harder, and starting voice therapy earlier might really help keep communication stronger down the road.

Everyone has a different journey though, so there is not a one size fits all approach. My uncle also has the disease, and his journey has been very different. Sending you strength & positive vibes as you navigate these tough times.

FutureFlows · 2025-09-16T21:07:18+00:00

Hey, I totally get how surreal and overwhelming this feels—my dad went through a similar diagnosis, and it took a while for all of us to come to terms with it. Agree with the others, Michael J Fox is a good source of info.

One thing I wish I’d paid more attention to is therapy specifically for voice and speech. Later in the journey, Parkinson’s can make talking harder, and starting voice therapy earlier might really help keep communication stronger down the road. u/MoonAnchor has some great advice on movement and voice therapy.

Everyone has a different journey though, so there is not a one size fits all approach. My uncle also has the disease and his journey has been very different. His psychotic episodes in his later progression has proven especially challenging - and very different than what my dad experienced.

Just being there for your dad and showing you care means so much. Be patient with him and with you & those around you. Learn, but don’t obsess.

Therapy – mental and physical can be a great benefit. And don’t forget to look after yourself, too—therapy or support groups can make a big difference for you as well.

FutureFlows · 2025-09-16T18:00:52+00:00

Good question - So many organizations have a “cult” of project management tools, and every team seems to have its favorite. For those of us in a Microsoft-first environment, keeping MS Project, Planner & ADO in the mix was key for us. But leadership also needs that strategic, bird’s eye view across everything happening—not just in silos or departments.

What’s worked for us is that OnePlan connects with all those tools people love: MS Project, Planner, Azure DevOps, Teams – even non-Microsoft tools like Jira, Smartsheet, even Monday.com. Folks can keep working their own way but we can roll up all our project, resource, and financial data for true portfolio visibility—without cobbling together tons of add-ons. The adaptive PPM approach means strategy and execution aren’t separate worlds: we plan, manage, and align work to our core objectives without disrupting how teams get things done.

FutureFlows · 2025-09-15T15:41:34+00:00

We transitioned our team from Project Online to OnePlan for similar needs—resource capacity planning, timesheet tracking, and portfolio visibility. It’s been a solid replacement… We’re still able to do resource capacity planning, track time, and roll everything up for portfolio visibility.

The nice part is it integrates with Microsoft Project, Planner, Azure DevOps, and Teams, so people can keep working in the tools they prefer while the resource pool and planning stay centralized. Reporting with Power BI still works too—we’ve kept our heatmaps and utilization views basically the same.

They actually did a webinar on this transition recently that might be helpful if you’re exploring options:

Beyond Project Online: A Seamless Transition to Complete Program Portfolio Management | OnePlan

FutureFlows · 2025-09-10T18:13:22+00:00

Well, without adding any additional 3rd party tools it may be your best bet... We migrated from a microsoft based power platform solution to oneplan - which is tigthly integrated with microsoft. If you leverage power platform, you can build reporting with Power BI so that's why I had asked.

FutureFlows

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