Introduction
The Salesforce Launchpad is one of the most powerful tools available to Salesforce users who want a centralised, visual way to navigate their most important applications and business processes. Designed to improve productivity and user experience, the Salesforce Launchpad allows individuals and teams to access key functionality, objects, and records quickly, without needing to dig through multiple tabs or menus.
For Project Managers and Professional Services teams using Mission Control — the Salesforce-native PSA solution — understanding how to use the Salesforce Launchpad can significantly streamline day-to-day operations. Whether you’re managing a pipeline of opportunities, allocating resources, or tracking project milestones, the Salesforce Launchpad ensures that all your key functions are accessible in one easy-to-use interface.
In this article, we’ll explore what the Salesforce Launchpad is, how to configure it, and how it can improve efficiency across your organisation.
What is the Salesforce Launchpad?
The Salesforce Launchpad is a visual home screen that provides a collection of interactive tiles, each linking to a specific app, page, or record within Salesforce. It acts as a user-friendly dashboard where you can group your most frequently used tools, making Salesforce navigation faster and more intuitive.
Each tile on the Salesforce Launchpad can be customised — you can assign icons, labels, and links to reflect the workflows most relevant to your role. For example, a Sales Manager may have tiles for “Opportunities,” “Leads,” “Reports,” and “Dashboards,” while a Project Manager using Mission Control might prefer shortcuts to “Projects,” “Milestones,” “Timesheets,” and “Resource Planner.”
By using the Salesforce Launchpad, users can quickly switch between critical parts of the business process without wasting time navigating the traditional Salesforce App Launcher or searching for records.
Setting up the Salesforce Launchpad
Setting up the Salesforce Launchpad is simple, but it’s most effective when it’s strategically designed to match your team’s needs.
- Access the Launchpad App:
Start by searching for “Launchpad” in the App Launcher. If your Salesforce Admin has enabled it, you’ll be able to view or create your own personalised Launchpad layout. - Add Tiles for Quick Navigation:
You can add tiles to represent the areas of Salesforce you use most often — such as custom apps, list views, reports, dashboards, or records. Each tile can have a unique colour, icon, or label to help you identify it at a glance. - Organise Tiles by Function:
Group related tiles together. For instance, create a “Sales” section for Opportunity and Account Management, a “Projects” section for Mission Control objects like Milestones and Actions, and a “Finance” section for Billing, Purchase Orders, or Revenue Recognition. - Control Access and Permissions:
Admins can configure who sees specific tiles based on profile or role. This ensures that each user’s Salesforce Launchpad is tailored to their function within the business. - Test and Optimise:
Once configured, gather feedback from end users. The best Salesforce Launchpad layouts evolve over time — as processes change, you can rearrange or add new tiles to keep navigation efficient.
Benefits of using the Salesforce Launchpad
The Salesforce Launchpad delivers a wide range of benefits that enhance productivity, consistency, and engagement across your teams.
- Improved User Experience:
With an intuitive, visually appealing interface, the Salesforce Launchpad helps users get where they need to go faster — especially helpful for new team members. - Streamlined Workflows:
By providing direct access to tools like Mission Control’s Scheduler, Role Utilisation Report, or Gantt Chart, the Salesforce Launchpad reduces the number of clicks needed to perform common tasks. - Enhanced Productivity:
Less time spent navigating Salesforce means more time focused on delivering value. The Salesforce Launchpad becomes a single point of entry to manage sales, delivery, and financial operations. - Customisation and Flexibility:
Every team operates differently. The Salesforce Launchpad allows each department to configure its own layout, ensuring everyone has fast access to the data and actions they rely on most. - Cross-Departmental Alignment:
Because the Salesforce Launchpad is part of the Salesforce ecosystem, it integrates seamlessly with other native apps. Teams working in Mission Control can link their project management data directly with sales, service, and finance functions for a unified operational view.
Using Salesforce Launchpad with Mission Control
For teams using Mission Control, the Salesforce Launchpad can serve as a productivity hub that ties together all aspects of project management and professional services automation.
You can create a Mission Control-specific Launchpad layout that includes tiles for:
- Project Overview: Instantly access live project dashboards to monitor progress, milestones, and budgets.
- Resource Planner: Navigate to the resource management screen to allocate roles efficiently.
- Scheduler: View the availability of your team members and manage workload distribution.
- Timesheets: Enable consultants to log time directly from the Salesforce Launchpad, reducing administrative overhead.
- Financials: Access Expense Management, Revenue Recognition, and Billing Management modules directly from your Launchpad.
By incorporating Mission Control functionality into your Salesforce Launchpad, you create a seamless bridge between your project operations and Salesforce CRM, ensuring every team member has access to the right tools at the right time.
Best Practices for Managing your Salesforce Launchpad
- Keep it Simple:
Avoid overcrowding the page with too many tiles. Focus on the 10–15 most critical functions for your role. - Use Clear Icons and Labels:
Consistency in naming conventions helps users identify tiles quickly and reduces confusion. - Review Regularly:
As your processes evolve, revisit your Salesforce Launchpad configuration to keep it aligned with current business goals. - Encourage User Adoption:
Train your team on how to customise their Launchpad. A well-adopted Salesforce Launchpad increases user engagement and data accuracy across the platform. - Integrate with Analytics:
Link to Mission Control dashboards or Salesforce reports directly from the Salesforce Launchpad for real-time visibility into project and financial performance.
Conclusion
The Salesforce Launchpad is more than just a visual menu — it’s a gateway to efficiency, productivity, and connected teamwork. By consolidating all your key Salesforce and Mission Control features into a single, intuitive dashboard, you empower your teams to work smarter, not harder.
For organisations using Mission Control, leveraging the Salesforce Launchpad can dramatically enhance operational visibility and user experience. Whether you’re managing opportunities, resources, or complex project portfolios, the Salesforce Launchpad ensures that every click leads to meaningful action.
Start using the Salesforce Launchpad today and experience a faster, more connected way to manage your Salesforce environment.
