I’m part of a company that is changing how we manage client work.
We’re moving from a department-first setup (each department runs its own workspace and client boards) to a client-first setup (one client record is the main hub, and every department’s work connects back to it). This change affects our tool decision.
We need a system where:
- We can see all clients in one place in a clean card-style view
- Each client card shows: logo, a status label, and a few key details
- When you open a client, you can see connected work across departments (projects and tasks)
- Leadership can see a portfolio-level view across all clients without switching between department boards
That is the standard we are designing around.
1) Monday.com’s AI focus is not matching what we need
I understand why Monday is investing heavily in AI. We use AI daily and we also build internal tools and workflows where it makes sense.
What frustrates me is the way Monday is marketing AI, and how much attention it seems to be getting compared to basic workflow improvements.
On social media, Monday has used messaging like “finally a teammate that doesn’t need PTO or lunch breaks.” That messaging does not fit our company culture, and it also misses what our team is asking for.
My team is asking for workflow improvements, for example:
- Sub-subitems (which were discussed in announcements)
- Faster boards and a smoother interface
- More usable screen layout (less space taken by AI panels and AI UI elements)
- Dashboards that feel modern and are easier to use for leadership reporting
- Fewer limitations with Connect Boards and Mirror columns
On the sub-subitems topic specifically: in our experience, getting true sub-subitem depth still requires workarounds like restructuring boards or creating a separate board setup. The announcement created a clear expectation, and the current experience has not met it.
2) We are deciding whether to stay with Monday or switch
Because we are already redesigning how we manage client work, we have to decide if Monday can support the client-first model we want.
We have looked at the common Monday approach:
- A top-level “Client master” board as the system of record
- Department boards connected to it using Connect Boards
- Key fields pulled in using Mirror columns
- Dashboards on top for leadership reporting
This can work in theory, and we are concerned about practical limits:
- Speed and performance as the system grows
- Whether the interface will stay usable as more features (especially AI) get added
- Dashboard limitations for leadership-level reporting
- Limitations and complexity around connected boards and mirror columns
So the question we are trying to answer is:
Is Monday improving the core platform in a way that supports a client-first setup, or is it mainly focusing on AI features?
If the focus stays mostly on AI, we may switch tools while we are already making structural changes.
What I’m asking the community
If you’ve dealt with similar issues, I’d appreciate input on:
Have Monday’s AI features helped your team, or made the product harder to use?
Have you built a client-first “client hub” in Monday that still feels clean and fast?
If you switched away from Monday, what did you switch to and why?
If you stayed, what structure made it work?
I’m trying to make a practical decision based on what our team needs and what Monday is prioritizing.