So I've found an excellent way to very quickly create a gantt chart without resorting to a clumsy Excel Spreadsheet version or getting lost in the mist of MS Project.
Tomsplanner is an online version which is free. It is also amazingly simple to use, flexible and produces Gantt charts of high quality. It took me 60 seconds to sign up (though I think you can have a go without signing up) and then another 60 seconds to start creating a chart. You can export the file to most programs or store online - nice feature. I liked the symbols you can use of various tasks.
It's in beta and is free to use.
Showing posts with label sharing information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharing information. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Screen Sharing; why we're using Glance
The annual invoice arrived for paying for our screen-sharing services. In these times of economic hardship we've had to do some testing to check out value for money etc. There are many screen sharing and conferencing tools available that are free. So why are we not using them?
Well, I spent the better part of a morning testing out a number of the freebies.
YUUGUU, Crossloop, Gotomeeting and a few others.
a) All those I looked at required the person accessing the conference to download software. I don't mind downloading it onto my computer. However, most of the businesses we work with have strict controls that do not allow employees to download software. So that was the biggest limiting factor.
b) A couple of the trials ended up with all of us losing the plot. Either the file conflicted with Google Chrome or some other rather minor yet annoying thing that didn't go to plan. I feel that it only takes 1 small irritation to put someone off web conferencing and I would prefer not to put participants though any hassle whatsoever
c) Some tools have more facilities than Glance. For us, the cost of those facilities outweighs the experience. They take longer to load, longer to log on and then everyone needs some degree of acquaintance using them. Unrequired hassle.
So like a really good washing machine - I need only those programs I will use, it needs to do the job I ask for it, and needs to be so blindingly obvious in it use that if I have to refer to a manual then there is something wrong with the design.
So, we'll pay the invoice for Glance now...!
Well, I spent the better part of a morning testing out a number of the freebies.
YUUGUU, Crossloop, Gotomeeting and a few others.
a) All those I looked at required the person accessing the conference to download software. I don't mind downloading it onto my computer. However, most of the businesses we work with have strict controls that do not allow employees to download software. So that was the biggest limiting factor.
b) A couple of the trials ended up with all of us losing the plot. Either the file conflicted with Google Chrome or some other rather minor yet annoying thing that didn't go to plan. I feel that it only takes 1 small irritation to put someone off web conferencing and I would prefer not to put participants though any hassle whatsoever
c) Some tools have more facilities than Glance. For us, the cost of those facilities outweighs the experience. They take longer to load, longer to log on and then everyone needs some degree of acquaintance using them. Unrequired hassle.
So like a really good washing machine - I need only those programs I will use, it needs to do the job I ask for it, and needs to be so blindingly obvious in it use that if I have to refer to a manual then there is something wrong with the design.
So, we'll pay the invoice for Glance now...!
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Sharing emails: Moomeo
Well I am not entirely sure this is a good thing...
If you have an email or a series of emails and you want to share it/them then you can email it to post@moomeo.com. You then get a link which you then share (not by email - could have done that in the first place..). What this link enables you to do is to put the email onto social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
I can think of a number of ways this might be useful, especially if you don't have a blog or website you can easily update and then link back to. On the other hand, it could be a nightmare for corporate media and IT managers as emails find their way into a more viral social media system.
If you have an email or a series of emails and you want to share it/them then you can email it to post@moomeo.com. You then get a link which you then share (not by email - could have done that in the first place..). What this link enables you to do is to put the email onto social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
I can think of a number of ways this might be useful, especially if you don't have a blog or website you can easily update and then link back to. On the other hand, it could be a nightmare for corporate media and IT managers as emails find their way into a more viral social media system.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Turn process maps into online wizards: gStepOne
If you have a set of procedures that you would like to take someone through, online, then this application by gStepone http://www.gStepOne.com helps you do this. You are taken through the steps of linking any online information, like documents, videos, photos, form etc in a way that takes someone step by step through the process. For example, this could be for ordering a product, doing an expense claim, booking a meeting.
I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways to change how we do business and especially ways that combine know-what with know-how. Imagine if clinical guidelines could be set up using a system like this, where individual patients could have their treatment customised. Of course this would need to be set up on proprietary systems rather than on the Internet. gStepOne - if you're listening there is a market for this.
In the meantime, for non-proprietary procedures and processes this tool can be very useful.
I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways to change how we do business and especially ways that combine know-what with know-how. Imagine if clinical guidelines could be set up using a system like this, where individual patients could have their treatment customised. Of course this would need to be set up on proprietary systems rather than on the Internet. gStepOne - if you're listening there is a market for this.
In the meantime, for non-proprietary procedures and processes this tool can be very useful.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Collaborative projects need collaborative management systems and processes
Most projects don’t fail because of a lack of charts, stats or report. They fail because of a lack of communication. Where the participants are located apart in distance and the conversation about the project are held asynchronously, then there is a high possibility of poor project outcomes unless specific project systems are put in place.
Collaborative project management (CPM) is a methodology that can be applied in these circumstances. It requires a different way of working and the use of project management (PM) tools that are familiar yet used in different ways. To overcome the distance / time issue the majority of CPM methodologies use online systems to support the project team. These range from a small use to cover some gaps through to completely managing the project using sophisticated yet simple to use online systems. To continue to run collaborative type projects without using CPM techniques will likely mean reduced productivity, less documentation of progress, overuse of emails and lost time due to a higher number of face-to-face meetings.
I've listed below a few of the online systems that may be helpful in co-ordinating collaorative projects.
http://www.veoproject.com/home.aspx full online system for projects with templates, gantt charts, roles, tasks etc.
http://www.manymoon.com/auth/login more simplified online project management that combines with Google documents
www.huddle.net good for virtual team working though note specifically project management related
http://www.workflowmax.com/features/jobtracking.html a bit different to project management though useful if you have a number of people on the same project and need to keep track of inputs and outputs
http://www.basecamphq.com/ simple to use and one of the earliest online systems
http://www.teamdirection.com/ lots of features and an MS Project add-in which is useful. Also syncs with Sharepoint. Not specifically online but can support CPM
http://www.trackeroffice.com/tracker_project.html is an Outlook import that integrates with existing software and helps personal as well as group project productivity. Can also be provided on a web basis
http://www.kalmstrom.com/products/Outlook/TimeCard/ an Outlook import that can monitor time spent on a project (productivity / reporting rather than project management)
If you want to use a wiki then there is a wiki on how to do this! http://projectmanagementdemo.pbwiki.com/ Although this can be customised to suit your purposes it feels a bit clunky when compared to the tools available
to keep up to date with “New stuff for change agents” then subscribe to Sarah Fraser’s blog at www.sfassociates.blogspot.com
Collaborative project management (CPM) is a methodology that can be applied in these circumstances. It requires a different way of working and the use of project management (PM) tools that are familiar yet used in different ways. To overcome the distance / time issue the majority of CPM methodologies use online systems to support the project team. These range from a small use to cover some gaps through to completely managing the project using sophisticated yet simple to use online systems. To continue to run collaborative type projects without using CPM techniques will likely mean reduced productivity, less documentation of progress, overuse of emails and lost time due to a higher number of face-to-face meetings.
I've listed below a few of the online systems that may be helpful in co-ordinating collaorative projects.
http://www.veoproject.com/home.aspx full online system for projects with templates, gantt charts, roles, tasks etc.
http://www.manymoon.com/auth/login more simplified online project management that combines with Google documents
www.huddle.net good for virtual team working though note specifically project management related
http://www.workflowmax.com/features/jobtracking.html a bit different to project management though useful if you have a number of people on the same project and need to keep track of inputs and outputs
http://www.basecamphq.com/ simple to use and one of the earliest online systems
http://www.teamdirection.com/ lots of features and an MS Project add-in which is useful. Also syncs with Sharepoint. Not specifically online but can support CPM
http://www.trackeroffice.com/tracker_project.html is an Outlook import that integrates with existing software and helps personal as well as group project productivity. Can also be provided on a web basis
http://www.kalmstrom.com/products/Outlook/TimeCard/ an Outlook import that can monitor time spent on a project (productivity / reporting rather than project management)
If you want to use a wiki then there is a wiki on how to do this! http://projectmanagementdemo.pbwiki.com/ Although this can be customised to suit your purposes it feels a bit clunky when compared to the tools available
to keep up to date with “New stuff for change agents” then subscribe to Sarah Fraser’s blog at www.sfassociates.blogspot.com
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Collaborate online for productive project management
There are many online collaboration tools. One I have found that is specifically for managing projects is www.veoproject.com
The system provides all the usual collaboration tools though what I specifically like is the emphasis on project planning. Some of the features look a bit like Microsoft Project in the type of planning that is available. The gantt type pictures are particularly excellent. I think this would be good for large and complex projects involving multiple individuals and organisations.
The system provides all the usual collaboration tools though what I specifically like is the emphasis on project planning. Some of the features look a bit like Microsoft Project in the type of planning that is available. The gantt type pictures are particularly excellent. I think this would be good for large and complex projects involving multiple individuals and organisations.
Send text sms messages for free, in the USA
Unfortunately this is available only at the moment in the USA, however, if you want to send a text message for free to a USA cell phone then go to www.foreversms.com
All you need to enter is your email address, the receipient's phone number and your message. You do need to know their communications provider but if you're not sure then the system will autodetect this for you.
Simple and free.
All you need to enter is your email address, the receipient's phone number and your message. You do need to know their communications provider but if you're not sure then the system will autodetect this for you.
Simple and free.
How to spy on social media conversations
Sometimes you just need to find out who is saying what about a topic and you prefer not to have to log on and become part of the social media systems. www.spy.appspot.com lets you type in a topic (I tested it with "NHS") and then it will search Twitter, Friendfeed, Flickr, Blog Comments, Yahoo news, Blogs and Google Reader to find out what is in the social media conversations on your topic.
I found it quite riveting to find out who is saying what. I expect many organisations could use this to assess their online profile.
I found it quite riveting to find out who is saying what. I expect many organisations could use this to assess their online profile.
Revolutionising the dictionary: Wordia.com
The Open University is sponsoring a new form of online dictionary based on user-generated definitions. Gone are the antique and dusty versions of what a word means. Instead, anyone can pick a word and then upload a short video explaining your version of its meaning.
www.wordia.com is where you can participate in a dynamic form of language. Just going through the word of the day is quite riveting.
What word do you dare define?
www.wordia.com is where you can participate in a dynamic form of language. Just going through the word of the day is quite riveting.
What word do you dare define?
Sunday, 9 November 2008
New way of searching; where search meets research
I am finding the new search engine http://www.middlespot.com really helpful in turning my regular web searches into something a lot more practical and useful.
The added features increase productivity when working alone and also helps me share my findings.
The search results come up as a summary as well as screenshots (makes you concentrate on how you show info on a page if you are a web designer!). You can then save your choices to an online workpad, thus coordinating what you are collecting. If you then want to share your results with someone else you can, very easily.
Under "tools" there is a browser bar you can download and add to Internet Explorer, Firefox or Mozilla, so you can search directly.
If you're interested in productivity then this is a useful tool.
The added features increase productivity when working alone and also helps me share my findings.
The search results come up as a summary as well as screenshots (makes you concentrate on how you show info on a page if you are a web designer!). You can then save your choices to an online workpad, thus coordinating what you are collecting. If you then want to share your results with someone else you can, very easily.
Under "tools" there is a browser bar you can download and add to Internet Explorer, Firefox or Mozilla, so you can search directly.
If you're interested in productivity then this is a useful tool.
Friday, 12 September 2008
Tips for sharing information via the web
I'm always looking for quick and efficient ways to share information. Here are three that I use and find really helpful. There is some crafty webware available to help the process and it's changing all the time.
1. Social Bookmarking. I use http://www.del.icio.us.com/. If you're still bookmarking to your browser then consider using social bookmarking. Want to know what I am bookmarking then find me on this site - my username is sfraser881. You can find others who might be bookmarking things like you - it is a whole new world of search, discovery, annotation and sharing. You will find links to various social bookmarking sites if you click on the "share this" button on the pages of many sites - have a look at my own website www.sfassociates.biz and down the bottom righthand side of the home page you will find the button to access social bookmarking.
2. Highlighting. Ever found a great paragraph in a website and wanted to point that out to someone? You end up sending an email to a friend with a long winded note explaining what it is all about. No more - use the tool from http://www.awesomehighlighter.com/. Easy to use, you go to the web page you want, use the highighter and it then prompts you to either email the link or share. Here is an example from my book reviews blog http://awurl.com/cpmju01061133.
3. Google notebook. If I'm collecting a variety of resources from the web on a specific topic and then want to share those resources often I'm stuck. I now use Google notebook (sign up on iGoogle). You find the web page, right click, add to notebook and it then saves to the notebook you want. When you're ready you can then share that notebook with anyone else. They can then see your web research as well as any comments you may have in there.
1. Social Bookmarking. I use http://www.del.icio.us.com/. If you're still bookmarking to your browser then consider using social bookmarking. Want to know what I am bookmarking then find me on this site - my username is sfraser881. You can find others who might be bookmarking things like you - it is a whole new world of search, discovery, annotation and sharing. You will find links to various social bookmarking sites if you click on the "share this" button on the pages of many sites - have a look at my own website www.sfassociates.biz and down the bottom righthand side of the home page you will find the button to access social bookmarking.
2. Highlighting. Ever found a great paragraph in a website and wanted to point that out to someone? You end up sending an email to a friend with a long winded note explaining what it is all about. No more - use the tool from http://www.awesomehighlighter.com/. Easy to use, you go to the web page you want, use the highighter and it then prompts you to either email the link or share. Here is an example from my book reviews blog http://awurl.com/cpmju01061133.
3. Google notebook. If I'm collecting a variety of resources from the web on a specific topic and then want to share those resources often I'm stuck. I now use Google notebook (sign up on iGoogle). You find the web page, right click, add to notebook and it then saves to the notebook you want. When you're ready you can then share that notebook with anyone else. They can then see your web research as well as any comments you may have in there.
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