PS Best Practices Blog Articles

Two years into their NetSuite implementation, a growing consulting firm discovered they had a problem. They wanted to offer their clients flexible engagement models—combining fixed-fee deliverables with time and materials work on the same project. It should have been straightforward. It wasn’t. The issue? Their NetSuite items were configured for immediate revenue recognition on billing.…

I don’t sleep well when we have an unhappy customer. Neither do you. Over our 17 years implementing NetSuite SuiteProjects Pro for more than 400 professional services organizations, I’ve witnessed this scenario countless times. A project manager confidently reports their project is “on track.” The dashboard shows green lights. Resource utilization looks solid. Budget burn…

Introduction: The Spreadsheet Dilemma After 20 years of implementing SuiteProjects Pro (formerly OpenAir) for professional services organizations of all sizes, I’ve witnessed a common pattern. Many organizations continue to manage their project portfolios using a patchwork of disconnected spreadsheets, emails, and disparate tools. This approach might work when you’re small, but as organizations grow, these…

As professional services organizations seek greater efficiency and competitive advantage, project management practices continue to evolve. The emergence of AI technologies presents both opportunities and questions for PS leaders committed to operational excellence. At Top Step, we work with hundreds of professional services organizations implementing Professional Services Automation (PSA) solutions. Across our client base, two…

As professional services organizations advance their resource management capabilities, a new challenge emerges: how to maximize the value of these enhanced practices. Recent industry research reveals that organizations with mature resource management practices achieve 30% higher profitability than their peers, but this success doesn’t happen automatically. It requires careful attention to critical success factors, thoughtful…

Professional services organizations today face mounting pressure to deliver more value with finite resources. As project complexity increases and talent markets tighten, the ability to effectively manage resources has become a key differentiator between thriving firms and those that struggle to maintain profitability. Recent industry research shows that organizations with mature resource management practices are…

  In this Power-Up Series video, we discuss  Best Practices for Effective Work Breakdown Structures in OpenAir. Some key takeaways: The importance of balancing timesheet accuracy and project planning requirements when designing the WBS Using templates to start with a standardized structure that can be customized for each project Leveraging the flexibility of OpenAir to create…

In today’s competitive landscape, professional services organizations face a constant challenge: maintaining high-quality service delivery while ensuring profitability. This balancing act is not just a goal—it’s a necessity for long-term success. As market pressures intensify and client expectations evolve, finding the sweet spot between profitability and quality has become a critical priority for leaders in…

In the world of professional services, delivering exceptional quality while maintaining healthy profit margins is not just a goal—it’s a necessity for long-term success. Yet, achieving this balance remains elusive for many firms. A recent industry survey reveals that 78% of professional services organizations consider this balance a top priority, highlighting its critical importance in…

As a Professional Services (PS) leader, keeping a pulse on your organization’s health is crucial for making informed decisions and driving success. By focusing on key metrics that cover the three essential aspects of your business—People, Money, and Time—you can gain valuable insights and take actionable steps to improve performance. In this article, we’ll discuss…