How to Build Better Dashboards in ClickUp (Using Smartsheet-Style Templates)
ClickUp makes it easy to turn scattered project data into clear, visual dashboards that look and feel like Smartsheet dashboards—but with more flexibility. This how-to guide walks you through setting up dashboard-style reporting so you can monitor projects, resources, and performance in one place.
Using ideas from Smartsheet dashboard templates, you will learn how to track metrics, timelines, and workloads in ClickUp without needing custom code or advanced admin skills.
Step 1: Plan Your ClickUp Dashboard Goals
Before you build anything, define what your dashboard should answer at a glance. This is the same mindset used in Smartsheet dashboard templates.
Decide which questions matter most:
- Which projects or clients are at risk?
- Are tasks on schedule, behind, or blocked?
- Who on the team is overloaded?
- What work needs attention today or this week?
Then list the data you must display in ClickUp to answer those questions:
- Open tasks, due dates, and assignees
- Status breakdowns (e.g., Not Started, In Progress, Complete)
- Time tracking or story points for effort
- Milestones or key deliverables
Having a clear purpose keeps your dashboard lean, fast, and easy to read.
Step 2: Organize Workspaces for ClickUp Dashboards
Smartsheet dashboard templates depend on clean, structured sheets. In the same way, powerful dashboards in ClickUp depend on properly organized spaces, folders, and lists.
Before creating dashboards:
- Group related work into Spaces (e.g., Marketing, Product, Client Projects).
- Create Folders and Lists that match how you report (by client, campaign, sprint, or release).
- Standardize custom fields like priority, project owner, effort estimate, and budget so data is consistent.
- Align statuses across similar workflows so charts and widgets stay comparable.
The more consistent your structure, the easier it is to reuse dashboard widgets and Smartsheet-style layouts across teams.
Step 3: Choose a Smartsheet-Style Layout in ClickUp
Open your workspace and create a new dashboard. Think of it as the equivalent of a blank Smartsheet dashboard template.
Choose a simple layout first:
- Top row: High-level metrics and KPIs
- Middle row: Charts, workload, and timelines
- Bottom row: Detailed task views or tables
Leave some white space so the dashboard stays readable on laptops and large monitors.
Step 4: Add Key Widgets to Your ClickUp Dashboard
Widgets are the building blocks of your dashboard, just like charts, reports, and shortcuts inside Smartsheet dashboard templates. Add only what supports your goals.
ClickUp Task List and Table Views
Start with task-based widgets to see real work items:
- Filter by workspace, folder, or list
- Show only open or in-progress tasks
- Sort by due date or priority
This view mirrors grid-style sheets in Smartsheet and gives stakeholders a familiar layout.
ClickUp Chart Widgets for Status and Progress
Next, add charts for a visual snapshot:
- Status Pie or Bar Chart: Number of tasks in each status
- Priority Chart: Distribution of high, medium, and low priority work
- Progress Over Time: Tasks completed per day or week
These widgets help you see where work is stalling and how projects move through the pipeline.
ClickUp Time and Workload Widgets
To mirror resource-centric Smartsheet dashboard templates, use time and workload widgets:
- Workload by Assignee: Tasks or hours per person
- Time Tracking: Logged time versus estimates
- Utilization: Who has capacity versus who is overloaded
These widgets are essential for managers who balance teams across multiple projects.
Step 5: Filter and Segment Your ClickUp Data
Raw data can overwhelm viewers. Sharpen your ClickUp widgets with filters so dashboards stay focused and relevant.
Common filter ideas:
- Show only active projects or clients
- Limit to this week or this month
- Include only specific assignees or departments
- Filter to high-risk or overdue tasks
Combining filters with a clear layout reproduces the clean feel of the Smartsheet dashboard templates demonstrated in the original article at ClickUp Smartsheet dashboard templates.
Step 6: Build ClickUp Dashboards for Different Roles
Instead of one giant dashboard, create several focused ones. This pattern mirrors how teams clone and adapt Smartsheet dashboard templates for executives, managers, and contributors.
Executive Summary ClickUp Dashboard
For leadership, keep it high-level:
- Top KPIs (on-time delivery, completion rate)
- Project health indicators (on track, at risk, off track)
- Budget or effort summaries
- Milestone timelines
The goal is instant clarity, not day-to-day task management.
Project Manager ClickUp Dashboard
Managers need more operational detail:
- Task lists filtered by project, sprint, or release
- Workload by assignee to prevent burnout
- Risk and issue tracking lists
- Charts that highlight overdue or blocked work
This dashboard becomes the command center for weekly planning and standups.
Team Member ClickUp Dashboard
Individual contributors benefit from a personal, Smartsheet-style view:
- My tasks due today and this week
- Blocked or waiting-on items
- Recently assigned tasks
- Quick links to key lists or documents
A personal dashboard keeps priorities visible without hunting through multiple spaces.
Step 7: Use ClickUp Dashboards for Ongoing Reviews
Dashboards only work when used regularly. Make your ClickUp dashboards part of your team rhythm, just as many teams review Smartsheet dashboards in recurring meetings.
Ideas for recurring use:
- Start weekly standups by reviewing task and status charts.
- Review workloads before assigning new work.
- Use timeline and milestone widgets in sprint planning or release reviews.
- Share executive dashboards before leadership check-ins.
Encourage stakeholders to bookmark important dashboards so they become the default way to understand project health.
Step 8: Iterate and Improve Your ClickUp Dashboards
Expect to adjust your layout and widgets as your team grows. Borrow inspiration from how Smartsheet dashboard templates evolve over time.
Regularly ask:
- Which widgets never get used?
- Which metrics need more context?
- Are any charts confusing or redundant?
- Do new projects require new filters or fields?
Remove noisy widgets and promote the ones people rely on. Over time, your ClickUp dashboards will match your exact reporting style.
Advanced Optimization Tips for ClickUp Dashboards
If you work with complex portfolios or want to fine-tune for analytics, consider expert guidance on structuring data and automation. Resources like Consultevo specialize in optimizing work management setups and can help you align ClickUp dashboards with broader business intelligence needs.
For more inspiration on layout ideas and best practices, review the original Smartsheet-focused article at Smartsheet dashboard templates on ClickUp and adapt those concepts directly into your own workspace.
Summary: Turn Smartsheet Ideas into ClickUp Dashboards
By combining clear goals, structured workspaces, and focused widgets, you can recreate and improve upon Smartsheet dashboard templates directly in ClickUp. Start simple, align dashboards with specific roles, and refine them as your reporting needs evolve. With this approach, your dashboards become the single source of truth for project status, team workload, and overall performance.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
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