Mktg Project Planning Tool for Electromechanical Products Co
- Business Consulting Other Application Development Other Marketing
- Confidential
- June 2024 - Ongoing
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 5.0
- Cost
- 5.0
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
"What stood out about ZenPilot was the depth of operational support provided beyond the initial software configuration."
- Other industries
- Wilmington, Massachusetts
- 1,001-5,000 Employees
- Online Review
- Verified
An electromechanical products company has hired ZenPilot to launch a marketing project planning tool. The team is responsible for creating a platform that can be accessed by all the client's brands.
ZenPilot's work has centralized all the client's initiatives in ClickUp with standardized statuses and dashboards. The team has demonstrated strong project management discipline throughout the engagement. Moreover, ZenPilot has been highly responsive to the client's feedback and evolving needs.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and position.
I am the Marketing Director of Heilind Electronics
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
We are a leading distributor of electromechanical, interconnect and sensors/relays, as well as mil-aero and fasteners. We have 3 companies (Heilind Electronics, ICC and DB Roberts that all utilize ZenPilot services.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What specific goals or objectives did you hire ZenPilot to accomplish?
- Launch a Marketing Project Planning program that all brands can access for managing our coop and day to day operations, across different business units and teams.
SOLUTION
How did you find ZenPilot?
Referral
Why did you select ZenPilot over others?
- High ratings
- Pricing fit our budget
- Referred to me
How many teammates from ZenPilot were assigned to this project?
2-5 Employees
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
ZenPilot was engaged as a strategic implementation partner to architect, configure, and operationalize ClickUp as a unified project planning and workflow management platform across three business units: Heilind Electronics, ICC, and DB Roberts.
The objective of the engagement was to transition from fragmented project tracking methods like Excel spreadsheets to a structured, scalable, and data-driven project management ecosystem that improves visibility, cross-functional alignment, accountability, and execution efficiency across marketing and cross-department initiatives.
Detailed Scope of Work
1. Discovery & Workflow Assessment - ZenPilot conducted structured discovery sessions to:
- Evaluate existing project management processes
- Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and communication gaps
- Map current-state workflows across teams and business units
- Assess reporting requirements and leadership visibility needs
- Define success metrics for adoption and operational maturity
This phase ensured the ClickUp configuration aligned with real operational workflows rather than forcing teams into generic templates.
2. Workspace Architecture & Space Configuration - ZenPilot designed and implemented a scalable ClickUp architecture tailored to the needs of three business units operating with both shared and independent workflows.
Included: Strategic hierarchy design (Workspace → Spaces → Folders → Lists → Tasks)
Business-unit specific Spaces for:
Heilind Americas
Heilind Europe
ICC
DB Roberts
Role-based permissions and access configuration
Cross-functional collaboration structures
Custom field architecture to support:
- Campaign tracking
- Budget management
- Project status reporting
- Supplier marketing initiatives
- Trade show coordination
- Content production pipelines
The configuration balanced autonomy at the BU level with standardized reporting structures to support leadership visibility.
3. Workflow Design & Automation - ZenPilot configured workflows to streamline project execution and reduce manual task management.
- Deliverables included:
- Status mapping aligned to internal project lifecycles
- Standardized project templates
- Campaign brief templates
- Recurring task structures
- Custom dashboards
Automations for:
- Task assignment
- Status updates
- Notifications
- Approval flows
- Due date tracking
These automations reduced administrative overhead and increased process consistency.
4. Dashboard & Reporting Configuration - ZenPilot developed reporting dashboards to improve operational transparency.
Included:
- Executive-level visibility dashboards
- Business unit performance dashboards
- Campaign tracking dashboards
- Workload capacity views
- Timeline and Gantt configurations
This enabled leadership to shift from reactive reporting to proactive project oversight.
5. Cross-Business Unit Standardization - A core component of the engagement was aligning processes across:
Heilind
ICC
DB Roberts
ZenPilot facilitated:
- Standardized naming conventions
- Unified status structures
- Shared reporting logic
- Consistent template frameworks
- Governance recommendations
This ensured scalability while respecting operational differences between the three organizations.
6. Ongoing Training & Adoption Support - ZenPilot provided structured training and enablement to drive adoption beyond initial implementation.
- Training Included:
- Live team workshops
- Role-specific training sessions
- Admin-level configuration training
- Workflow optimization sessions
- Best practice documentation
- Recorded session library for ongoing reference
Training focused on long-term operational maturity — not just software navigation.
7. Continuous Optimization & Growth Strategy - Beyond implementation, ZenPilot supported iterative platform evolution. Ongoing Support Included:
- Refinement of workflows as team needs evolved
- Expansion into new use cases
- Automation optimization
- Reporting enhancements
- Governance and best practice guidance
- Strategic consultation on scaling ClickUp usage
This ensured ClickUp remained aligned with business growth and organizational complexity.
Key Deliverables Summary
Strategic & Architectural Deliverables
Full ClickUp workspace architecture across 3 business units
Role-based permissions and governance framework
Standardized naming and structural conventions
Operational Deliverables
Business unit-specific Spaces
Custom field configuration
Status workflows
Project templates and campaign brief templates
Automation setup
Cross-functional collaboration structures
Reporting Deliverables
Executive dashboards
BU-level dashboards
Workload tracking views
Campaign and initiative reporting views
Enablement Deliverables
Team training workshops
Admin training
Best practice documentation
Recorded session resources
Ongoing optimization consulting
Engagement Impact
The engagement enabled:
- Improved cross-functional alignment
- Increased visibility into marketing and project execution
- Reduced manual reporting and administrative overhead
- Standardized workflows across three business units
- A scalable project management infrastructure supporting continued growth
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
1. Increased Project Visibility & Accountability
Before:
Projects were tracked across email, spreadsheets, and disconnected tools with limited real-time status visibility.
After:
All initiatives centralized in ClickUp with standardized statuses and dashboards.
Measured Results:
- 100% of active marketing and project initiatives tracked in a single system
- Real-time visibility across 3 business units
- Clear ownership assigned to every task and milestone
- Executive dashboards replacing manual status reporting
Impact: Faster decision-making, fewer missed deadlines, and improved cross-team alignment.
2. Improved On-Time Project Delivery
Standardized workflows and automated task routing removed bottlenecks.
Measured Results:
- Reduction in stalled or “lost” projects
- Improved milestone completion rates
- Faster campaign launch cycles due to templated workflows
(Many teams see 20–40% cycle time improvement after structured PM implementation — ClickUp data aligns with this range.)
Impact: More campaigns executed per quarter with the same team capacity.
3. Reduced Administrative Overhead
Automation replaced manual follow-ups, status updates, and reporting.
Measured Results:
- Fewer hours spent chasing updates
- Elimination of manual spreadsheet tracking
- Automated notifications and approvals
Estimated Efficiency Gain: ~5–10 hours saved per project manager per week
Impact: Time reallocated to strategy, execution, and optimization instead of coordination.
4. Cross-Business Unit Standardization
Previously, each BU operated differently.
Measured Results:
- Unified project lifecycle across Heilind, ICC, and DB Roberts
- Consistent naming, statuses, templates, and reporting
- Ability to compare performance across BUs
Impact: Scalable operations and clearer leadership oversight.
5. Enhanced Workload Management & Capacity Planning
Dashboards now show real-time workload by team and individual.
Measured Results:
- Visibility into resource bottlenecks
- Improved task distribution
- Reduced burnout and overload
Impact: Better project forecasting and smarter staffing decisions.
6. Faster Onboarding & Process Adoption
Templates and standardized workflows simplified training.
Measured Results:
- New team members onboard faster
- Less dependency on tribal knowledge
- Repeatable campaign execution
Impact: Lower ramp-up time and stronger operational consistency.
7. Leadership Reporting & Data-Driven Decisions
Manual reporting was replaced with live dashboards.
Measured Results:
- Reduction in status meetings needed for updates
- Real-time KPI visibility
- Better prioritization of high-impact initiatives
Impact: Proactive management instead of reactive firefighting.
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
ZenPilot demonstrated strong project management discipline throughout the ClickUp implementation across Heilind, ICC, and DB Roberts. From the outset, clear project phases, milestones, and delivery timelines were established to guide the engagement. All major deliverables were completed on schedule, with no missed milestones or delays, reflecting a high level of organization and execution consistency.
A dedicated account manager was assigned to the engagement, serving as a single point of contact and ensuring continuity, responsiveness, and alignment with evolving business needs. This structure streamlined communication, reduced friction, and allowed for quick resolution of questions or workflow adjustments as requirements emerged. NOTE: We were assigned a new dedicated account manager prior to full completion and he was able to get up to speed very quicky and addressed our needs without any lag in progress.
ZenPilot maintained a biweekly meeting cadence to review progress, address feedback, and prioritize next steps. These sessions were highly structured and action-oriented, keeping the project moving forward while allowing flexibility to adapt configurations based on real-world usage.
To further enhance transparency and collaboration, ZenPilot implemented a shared ClickUp dashboard and portal that served as the central hub for project communication, task tracking, milestone visibility, and documentation. This enabled real-time insight into project status and responsibilities without reliance on email chains or manual follow-ups.
Training and enablement were delivered through a combination of live sessions and on-demand video walkthroughs tailored to team roles and workflows. These materials accelerated adoption, supported self-service learning, and ensured long-term sustainability of the platform.
Overall Performance Summary
✔ Clear project plan with defined milestones and timelines
✔ All deliverables met on schedule with no missed deadlines
✔ Dedicated account manager providing consistent support
✔ Biweekly structured progress meetings
✔ Centralized ClickUp dashboard for transparency and communication
✔ Role-based video training and documentation
✔ Highly responsive to feedback and evolving needs
Outcome
ZenPilot operated as a strategic partner rather than a tactical vendor — combining disciplined project management, proactive communication, and continuous optimization support. Their structured approach ensured a smooth implementation, strong adoption across teams, and timely delivery of all agreed-upon milestones.
What was your primary form of communication with ZenPilot?
- In-Person Meeting
- Virtual Meeting
- Email or Messaging App
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
What stood out about ZenPilot was the depth of operational support provided beyond the initial software configuration. Rather than simply implementing ClickUp and handing it off, ZenPilot invested heavily in training, documentation, and real-world workflow guidance to ensure sustained adoption and continuous progress.
The level of structured training resources, including role-specific video walkthroughs and ongoing coaching, enabled teams to quickly build confidence in the platform while reducing dependency on live support. This approach significantly accelerated adoption and allowed teams to independently expand usage over time.
Managing project operations across three business units and four functional teams could have introduced complexity and fragmentation; however, ZenPilot’s dedicated account management model made the experience seamless. The assigned account manager maintained consistent oversight, understood the nuances of each team’s workflows, and proactively aligned configurations to evolving operational needs.
Equally impressive was ZenPilot’s responsiveness and problem-solving capability. Challenges and workflow bottlenecks were addressed quickly and efficiently, with practical solutions designed to simplify even highly complex project structures. Their ability to translate complicated operational requirements into streamlined, scalable ClickUp workflows kept initiatives moving forward without disruptio
Are there any areas for improvement or something ZenPilot could have done differently?
Overall, ZenPilot delivered a highly structured and effective implementation; however, one area for potential improvement relates to the onboarding and training ramp process across a large, multi-business-unit environment.
While the training materials were extensive, well-organized, and thoughtfully produced, the volume of step-by-step content required to fully adopt the platform could at times feel complex—particularly for teams new to structured project management software. With three business units and multiple functional teams involved, there was a significant reliance on video-based learning to get users up to speed.
Although the video resources were thorough and extremely helpful, not all team members progressed through the materials at the same pace. This occasionally created uneven adoption across teams, where some groups advanced more quickly in leveraging advanced workflows while others were still mastering foundational processes. As a result, overall momentum at times varied between business units.
Suggested Enhancement Areas
- Streamlined “fast-start” onboarding tracks for new users
- Tiered training paths (basic, intermediate, advanced) to support phased adoption
- More live, hands-on working sessions during early rollout to align pacing
- Simplified quick-reference guides for core workflows
Overall Perspective
This was a minor operational challenge within an otherwise very successful engagement and largely reflects the scale and complexity of implementing a robust project management platform across multiple business units. With slight adjustments to pacing and onboarding structure, ZenPilot’s already strong training model could become even more effective for large, multi-team organizations.
RATINGS
-
Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
-
Schedule
5.0On time / deadlines
-
Cost
5.0Value / within estimates
-
Willing to Refer
5.0NPS