Article
Efficiency, visibility, and smarter operations in the Nordics: the value of Smartsheet for project managers
With one of the best work-life balances in the world, the Nordic region is continually adapting to changing demands. While the events of 2020 created a global movement to remote work, countries like Sweden had already been well-acquainted with such working models compared to the EU average of the time. And with capabilities for remote work now being a common legal requirement within the region, hybrid is front of mind for many, with companies looking for the tools that can help them implement hybrid effectively.
Existing high rates of digitisation and the legal requirement for digitally managed documents mean that companies understand the need for digital transformation. But the right solution must be easy to use and seamlessly implementable throughout the business. With teams based in multiple locations, project managers are faced with the challenge to keep employee morale high and - in some cases - four-day working weeks optimally efficient.
But as our research shows, all of these challenges are also opportunities for positive change. We commissioned Forrester Consulting to explore the Total Economic Impact™ of companies that use Smartsheet, creating a composite organisation based on responses from interviewed customers to illustrate the potential gains that can be seen after using Smartsheet for a three-year period. Read on to discover the benefits project managers have unlocked from Smartsheet, from efficiency, visibility, better resource planning, and financial rewards, with quotes from real users about the value they’ve gained.
More efficient processes
Efficient processes are a crucial component of successful work. Smartsheet helped the project managers we surveyed streamline their workflows, free up precious time through automation, communicate more effectively and empower teams to meet deadlines. As one senior manager within professional services said: “What used to take three hours is now instantaneous”.
With Smartsheet, the composite organisation was able to reduce time spent on project, portfolio and programme set-up by 80%, while streamlined processes resulted in 75% fewer work management related emails. Time savings due to more efficient processes even helped those not directly using Smartsheet to complete tasks more efficiently. The importance of this can’t be overstated, as greater efficiency isn’t just a business value boost: the Forrester study found that less manual admin increased worker satisfaction, with end users able to focus more on important work tasks.
“We probably spend less than a third of the time building out these toolsets and the end results are probably five times better."
Lead enterprise project manager for a computer software organisation
Gain visibility
Consolidating important information in one place can be the difference between ten minutes spent on routine reporting, or two hours. The Forrester research shows that interviewed companies using Smartsheet have gained visibility and transparency in work, saving time for managers and leadership alike.
As a single source of truth, information can be accessed in one location, meaning project managers don’t spend time chasing it elsewhere, or tracking down the latest version. Real-time, updated dashboards and sheets give a better understanding of project status, with time spent on review cycles reducing by 50% as a result.
“Now… it's just a matter of putting the data in one place where I can see it, and keeping it up to date. Which is a lot less work than trying to chase a group of people at the end of the quarter.”
Business operations lead of a technology manufacturer
Smarter resourcing
Speed of delivery and quality of output depends on how workloads are managed across teams. Ineffective resourcing can drastically delay project completion times, and have a tangible effect on the well-being of team members.
With Smartsheet, project managers can ensure the right staff are allocated to the right projects and given sufficient time and resources to complete them. Forrester found the composite organisation that used Smartsheet has saved over 40 hours per employee annually, freeing up 80% of the time employees had previously used in staffing projects.
“I think Smartsheet has allowed us to be more efficient in staffing or resourcing because I just have a better idea of what people’s workloads are. I’m able to see exactly where they are on their project plan, and gain an understanding of where they are struggling.”
Director of a financial services software organisation
Solving project management challenges for any business
As global events have shown, great challenges can become new opportunities. To thrive in the modern world of work, people within a business must be adaptive, and continuously explore how processes can be made more efficient. As the Forrester study found, Smartsheet has a range of capabilities that can make it a valuable tool for solving common project management challenges.
Businesses within the Nordic region will continue to perfect a hybrid reality that upholds its positive work-life reputation. And as processes become increasingly digital, it’s smart for project managers and teams alike to choose a solution that’s easily implemented. In doing so, quantifying work management software will not only create better business outcomes, but also be a positive change everyone can benefit from.
"Smartsheet works because everybody gets so excited about the various capabilities it has. Its flexibility and adaptability make it an invaluable asset in our future as we know the more we use it, the more use cases we will discover and optimise."
Business operations lead for a technology manufacturer
Read the full Forrester study: The Total Economic Impact™ of Smartsheet.
