PMO Template Set - Rename sheets reports and dashboards when creating a new project?

RobH

Hi all,

I am building a PMO portfolio management system using the PMO Template set.

When I copy the template project folder to create a new project

Should I be renaming the project folder contents to have unique names per each project

or is it ok to have multiple projects with identical sheet/report/dashboard names within them?

Secondly, if I chose to enter new project information directly into the Project Intake Sheet, do I then separately create the individual project folders by using the above "copy the template" method and will this correctly link the new project folder to the relevant line in the Project Intake Sheet?

Scott Peters

Hello @RobH - Here's a shameless plug for Smartsheet Control Center, which automates the provisioning and renames all of the sheets for you. Until we invested in that tool, we did exactly what you are describing. We found that although you don't HAVE to rename each sheet to be unique, it is highly recommended.

For example, down the road if you need to build a report of projects with overdue tasks, you would include all sheets named "Project Plan", but what if you only wanted to report on some of the projects? Once we got to 10+ active projects we quickly invoked a rule to always uniquely name our sheets. The same problem comes up when you need to create cross sheet formulas and you're searching for the correct sheet name.