Why I Use Wrike as My Project Management Planning Tool

TL;DR

Wrike is my preferred project management platform for its scalability, real-time collaboration, seamless integrations, and detailed reporting capabilities—essential features for managing global digital transformation programmes efficiently.

Wrike Project Planning Software

Introduction

As a Global CIO with over three decades of experience leading complex digital transformation programmes, selecting the right project management tool isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether delivering IT enablement across 13 international entities or coordinating ERP migrations, I need a platform that enables visibility, agility, and precision. Wrike stands out as the most reliable and adaptive solution in my toolkit.

Why Wrike Works for Me

1. Enterprise-Grade Flexibility

Wrike’s versatility is its crown jewel. From Kanban boards to Gantt charts and time tracking, it adapts to the diverse working styles of multifunctional teams across regions. Leading transformations at firms like LoneStar Group and Northumbrian Water, I often switch methodologies mid-stream—Wrike's hybrid work views support that fluidity seamlessly.

2. Real-Time Collaboration

Global programmes need real-time collaboration across time zones. Wrike’s live updates, comment threads, and document attachments ensure stakeholders in the UK, UAE, or the US remain aligned. In large-scale ERP deployments, such as FitFlop’s NetSuite rollout, this was critical for managing workstreams without lag.

3. Powerful Reporting and Dashboards

As someone who frequently presents to boards and PE firms, detailed reporting isn’t optional. Wrike’s custom dashboards and real-time analytics give me immediate insight into project health, resource allocation, and risk status. It cuts through noise and lets me focus on high-impact decision-making.

4. Integration Capabilities

I’ve worked across tech stacks including SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion, Microsoft Dynamics, and NetSuite. Wrike integrates easily with these and many other tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and Adobe Creative Cloud—ensuring it fits into the broader IT ecosystem without friction.

5. Governance and Risk Management

Risk management is embedded in my approach, especially during mergers and acquisitions. Wrike allows for granular permission settings and audit trails—critical for governance in regulated industries like finance and manufacturing. For instance, during my work with M.I. Dickson, Wrike helped monitor supplier transitions and delivery milestones post-system migration.

Wrike in Action: A Real-World Example

At Mothercare PLC, where I led business transformation and IT carve-outs, we relied heavily on structured project governance. Implementing Wrike enabled unified task allocation across 600+ personnel and significantly reduced overhead on programme status updates. It played a key role in managing cross-entity workflows while maintaining control over data migration, new ERP integrations, and GDPR compliance.

A Strategic Advantage

The reality is that no two programmes are the same. Yet, Wrike provides a consistent framework that enables repeatable success. In a world of increasing digital complexity, having a tool that scales with the programme size and stakeholder complexity is vital.

FAQs

Q: Is Wrike suitable for small teams as well as large enterprises? Yes, Wrike scales beautifully. It’s just as effective for startups as it is for global corporations managing multi-million-pound programmes.

Q: How does Wrike support Agile project management? Wrike includes Agile templates, sprint boards, backlog management, and burndown charts—making it easy to adopt Scrum or hybrid methodologies.

Q: Can Wrike integrate with financial planning tools? Absolutely. Wrike’s integrations and APIs allow it to connect with budgeting tools, helping align project costs with financial forecasts.

Q: How secure is Wrike for sensitive project data? Wrike offers enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 compliance, role-based access control, and full encryption—ideal for handling sensitive corporate data.

Final Thoughts

Project success doesn’t come down to tools alone—but selecting a platform like Wrike, with proven enterprise functionality, can greatly enhance your odds. I’ve trialled many solutions across roles at Sainsbury’s, FitFlop, and LoneStar Group, but Wrike consistently stands out for its adaptability, robustness, and clarity. In a world of constant digital acceleration, it’s one decision I never need to second-guess.

Richard Keenlyside is the Global CIO for the LoneStar Group and a previous IT Director for J Sainsbury’s PLC.

Follow me on X https://x.com/cioinpractice & LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkeenlyside/

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