Project Management Platform
From purchasing spreadsheets and email trails to one live system for managing projects across the business.
Purchasing in Excel, everything else in email.
A manufacturing business was managing purchasing through Excel, while most project updates were exchanged through email. There was no central project-management system, no reliable way to track progress and no consistent view of ownership or outstanding actions.
Information could be missing, updates were difficult to follow and responsibility was not always clear. Departments outside the immediate project team also had limited visibility until information was manually passed to them.
One platform for the whole project lifecycle.
A company-wide project-management platform connecting project delivery, purchasing, documentation, reporting and communication in one system.
The original application was developed in Microsoft Power Apps. As its scope and importance grew, it was rebuilt as a custom React and TypeScript progressive web application, providing greater performance, flexibility and control.
The platform can be installed like a native application and works across desktop computers, tablets and mobile devices. Around 15 people use it to manage more than 30 active projects at a time.
What the platform does day to day.
Project control
Each project has a central record showing its current stage, ownership, outstanding work, purchasing activity and supporting information.
Purchasing and issue sheets
Users can raise an issue sheet against a project and send it directly to purchasing. Orders can then be tracked through their different stages without relying on separate spreadsheets or email trails.
Revisions and change requests remain connected to the original issue, providing a clear history of what changed, why it changed and who was responsible.
Live dashboards and wallboards
Customisable dashboards present the information each user needs, while locked read-only wallboards provide live operational visibility without exposing administrative controls.
Reporting
Built-in reporting gives managers and other departments a current view of project progress, purchasing activity, workload and emerging issues.
Notifications
Automated notifications keep users informed about relevant activity and outstanding work without relying on manually forwarded emails.
Documents and archiving
Project documents are stored and archived through SharePoint, keeping them connected to the relevant project and its delivery history.
Role-based access
Permissions range from read-only access to full administration. Access is managed within the application so users see the functions and information appropriate to their role.
Microsoft 365 sign-in
Users sign in with their existing Microsoft 365 accounts, so there are no additional passwords or separate user accounts to manage.
Business data and documents remain within the organisation’s own Microsoft 365 and SharePoint environment.
Dark mode
A full dark theme is included, so the application is comfortable to use on a wallboard in a workshop or at a desk at the end of the day.
Used across the business
The platform is used beyond the immediate project team. Accounts and other departments can see current project information directly instead of maintaining separate records or waiting for manual updates.
The application in use.
What the business gained.
- One live view of every active project
- Purchasing connected directly to project delivery
- Clear ownership and accountability
- Faster access to current information
- Better visibility across departments
- Less dependence on spreadsheets and email trails
- Live reporting for management and operational teams
- A complete history of project changes and documentation
- Existing Microsoft 365 services extended rather than another disconnected system introduced
Built on the Microsoft 365 the business already had.
Built with React and TypeScript using Vite and delivered as an installable progressive web application through Azure Static Web Apps. The platform uses Microsoft Entra ID for sign-in, SharePoint for business data, document storage and archiving, and Microsoft Graph and Azure services for automated email processing.
Still developing as the business does.
The platform continues to be supported and developed as the organisation’s processes and requirements change.
Has an important process outgrown spreadsheets?
Innova Group can help turn disconnected spreadsheets, email trails and manual updates into a structured application built around the way your organisation works.
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