S11, EP 307 - Smartsheet™- A Contractor's Dream

In this episode of the Build America Podcast , host Scott Jennings provides an unfiltered look at Smartsheet. Describing it as "Excel, but not Excel" , Scott explains why this cloud based platform is a "Contractor’s Dream" for managing critical project data like submittals, RFIs, and change orders.Drawing from his experience as a heavy civil construction company owner , Scott explores how Smartsheet turns raw data into live dashboards and offers a level of customization that industry specific software often lacks. Whether you are in the office or the field, this episode highlights how to move away from reactive "firefighting" and maintain a professional overview of your project's health.Beyond the Spreadsheet: Learn about versatile data visualizations including Gantt charts, calendars, and Kanban style Card views.Extreme Customization: How the platform stays flexible enough to fit specific internal processes in construction, manufacturing, or even pharmaceuticals.Live Dashboarding: How sheets feed directly into visual dashboards to provide managers with immediate project metrics.Mobile Functionality: Using phone based "Forms" to log site deficiencies and photos that instantly populate the main grid.Cost and Licensing: Scott shares his experience with the price point, reporting a cost of approximately $450 per license per year.Submittal and RFI Logs: Track every stage of a request and identify exactly whose "ball" is in which court.Deficiency Tracking: Log issues line by line, attach photos directly to the row, and set automated alerts for subcontractors.Document Management: Keep project letters, pictures, and change orders organized and easy to find by attaching them to specific data rows.Team Coordination: Use collaborative calendars to manage office vacations and project milestones in real time.Website: https://sjcivil.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103 Email: [email protected] Blog: https://sjcivil.com/blog/ Ted Determite Children’s Book Series: Available on Amazon.If you found this episode informative, please rate and review the show to help more construction and engineering professionals discover these insights. Subscribe to the Build America Podcast on your favorite platform to stay connected.#Smartsheet #ConstructionManagement #ProjectTracking #WorkflowAutomation #CloudCollaboration #SaaS #BusinessEfficiency #Dashboarding #ConstructionTech #BuildAmerica