Introduction:

Smartsheet is a powerful cloud-based platform that combines the familiarity of a spreadsheet with advanced project management features, enabling teams to collaborate and track progress efficiently. This 5-day training course provides participants with comprehensive training on how to leverage Smartsheet’s capabilities for project planning, scheduling, resource management, and reporting. Whether you’re managing a small team or a large enterprise project, Smartsheet offers the tools you need to improve productivity, ensure project transparency, and maintain control over your projects. Through practical examples and hands-on exercises, participants will gain the skills to optimize project workflows and enhance collaboration.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the basic features of Smartsheet and its interface.
2. Learn how to create and manage projects using Smartsheet’s grid, Gantt, calendar, and card views.
3. Master project planning techniques using Smartsheet, including task creation, dependencies, and milestones.
4. Learn how to assign and track resources, budgets, and timelines within a project.
5. Understand how to use Smartsheet for reporting and data visualization.
6. Gain expertise in collaboration tools and automations within Smartsheet to streamline workflows.
7. Learn how to integrate Smartsheet with other tools like Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Slack.

Who Should Attend:

This course is designed for professionals involved in project management, team collaboration, and reporting, including:

• Project Managers
• Program Managers
• Project Coordinators and Assistants
• Resource Managers
• Business Analysts
• Operations Managers
• Anyone interested in optimizing project management processes using Smartsheet

Course Outline:

Day 1: Introduction to Smartsheet and Basic Setup

• Session 1: Getting Started with Smartsheet
  • Introduction to Smartsheet: Overview of Features and Benefits
  • Navigating the Smartsheet Interface: Menus, Views, and Panels
  • Creating a New Sheet: Templates vs. Blank Sheets
  • Understanding Smartsheet’s Grid View: Basic Sheet Setup and Navigation
• Session 2: Basic Sheet Functions
  • Adding and Formatting Columns: Text, Dates, Numbers, Dropdowns, and Checkboxes
  • Sorting, Filtering, and Grouping Data in Smartsheet
  • Basic Functions and Formulas in Smartsheet for Calculations
  • Managing Attachments and Comments
• Session 3: Sharing and Collaboration in Smartsheet
  • Sharing Sheets with Team Members and Stakeholders
  • Setting Permissions and Access Controls
  • Using Comments and Alerts for Collaboration
• Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Setting Up Your First Project Sheet in Smartsheet

Day 2: Project Planning with Smartsheet

• Session 1: Task Creation and Management
  • Creating and Organizing Tasks: Rows, Subtasks, and Hierarchical Structure
  • Setting Task Durations, Start/End Dates, and Dependencies
  • Creating and Assigning Milestones and Deadlines
• Session 2: Gantt Chart View for Project Planning
  • Switching to Gantt View: Visualizing Tasks and Dependencies
  • Setting up Dependencies and Predecessors
  • Customizing Gantt Chart with Milestones, Critical Paths, and Baselines
• Session 3: Project Scheduling in Smartsheet
  • Setting Recurring Tasks and Automatic Alerts for Deadlines
  • Managing Task Dependencies and Constraints
  • Handling Task Delays and Resource Allocation
• Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Building a Gantt Chart for a Sample Project

Day 3: Resource Management and Tracking in Smartsheet

• Session 1: Managing Resources in Smartsheet
  • Creating Resource Management Sheets: People, Equipment, and Materials
  • Assigning Resources to Tasks and Tracking Availability
  • Managing Resource Allocation and Over-Allocation
• Session 2: Budget Tracking and Financial Management
  • Setting Up Budget Sheets: Costs, Resources, and Estimates
  • Tracking Actual vs. Planned Budget with Formulas and Alerts
  • Financial Reporting and Tracking Expenses in Smartsheet
• Session 3: Time Tracking and Progress Monitoring
  • Tracking Task Progress and Percent Completion
  • Using Checkboxes, Dates, and Custom Columns for Progress Updates
  • Reporting on Task Progress with Color-Coded Indicators
• Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Resource and Budget Management for a Project

Day 4: Reporting and Visualization in Smartsheet

• Session 1: Creating Reports and Dashboards
  • Using Smartsheet’s Reporting Features: Summary Fields and Filters
  • Building Custom Reports for Project Status, Risks, and Deliverables
  • Creating Dashboards: Widgets, Charts, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Session 2: Data Visualization Tools in Smartsheet
  • Creating Bar, Line, and Pie Charts for Project Insights
  • Using Conditional Formatting to Highlight Key Metrics and Risks
  • Visualizing Project Data with Calendar and Card Views
• Session 3: Automating Reports and Alerts
  • Setting Up Alerts and Reminders for Tasks, Deadlines, and Approvals
  • Automating Status Reports and Notifications for Stakeholders
  • Scheduling and Sending Automated Weekly or Monthly Reports
• Activity: Hands-on Exercise – Building a Dashboard and Custom Report for Project Monitoring

Day 5: Collaboration, Integrations, and Advanced Features

• Session 1: Collaboration Tools in Smartsheet
  • Using Discussions and Comments for Team Collaboration
  • Approvals Workflow: Setting Up and Managing Approval Processes
  • Sharing and Publishing Project Sheets and Reports with Stakeholders
• Session 2: Integrations with Other Tools
  • Integrating Smartsheet with Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and Slack
  • Syncing Smartsheet with Other Project Management Tools (e.g., Jira, Trello)
  • Using Smartsheet’s API for Custom Integrations and Automations
• Session 3: Advanced Smartsheet Features
  • Creating Complex Workflows with Automated Actions and Alerts
  • Using Smartsheet for Agile Project Management: Sprints, Backlogs, and Kanban Boards
  • Resource Optimization and Multi-Project Views
• Activity: Group Project – Implementing Smartsheet Integrations and Advanced Features in a Hypothetical Project

Course Delivery:

• Interactive Lectures: Detailed presentations covering key Smartsheet features and best practices.
• Hands-on Exercises: Practical, step-by-step exercises that give participants the opportunity to build and manage projects using Smartsheet.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples and case studies to illustrate Smartsheet’s application in various project management scenarios.
• Group Workshops: Collaborative activities to encourage teamwork and problem-solving with Smartsheet tools.