Screencast: Managing Projects with SmartDraw

Published 15 May 8 4:0 AM | Paul

In this screencast we show you how you can use SmartDraw and to manage projects; first we show you how to scope your project with a mind map, then we show you how you can easily convert that mind map into a project chart (Gantt Chart), and finally we show you how to use those two charts as effective project management tools.

Download a free trial of SmartDraw here.

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If you'd like to learn more about this topic then be sure to read our companion PDF - Working Smarter with Project Charts.



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Comments

# Mark said on May 16, 2008 4:16 AM:

When updating the sub tasks, the main task does not update - e.g. in the example in the video, the end date / duration of 1. PR does not take into account any of the data in the sub tasks.

An export to MS Project would also be great.

# Paul said on May 16, 2008 8:50 AM:

Thanks for your comment Mark. Yes, you have to do this manually for now but this may not always be the case :). Same thing for the export/import you mention.

# John Pugh said on May 21, 2008 1:07 PM:

This showed me an aspect of Smartdraw I had not previously realized. I am a barrister in England and frequently use mind maps in case analysis. The ability to convert this work so easily into a case management tool is so obvious (now that you've invented it and served it up to me on a plate that is!) Thanks for providing it. It is very much appreciated.

# John Paul McKinney said on May 21, 2008 8:56 PM:

Wow!  I'm working on a novel (young adult) and I after seeing the screencast I had the idea that I could use a mind map to outline the story: characters, settings, conflicts, etc.  Do you know if others have used SmartDraw this way?  I'm probably not using it as well as I might yet.  Thanks.

John Paul

# Renate said on May 22, 2008 3:03 AM:

In your screencast you mention that its unique that you can switch the view - Gant/Mind Map views - but you're not the only software that does this. You've got MindPlan too.. Wich also integrates with your email and calendar, as you assign tasks to people in the company from the LDAP/adress book. Maybe an idea for you??

# Paul said on May 22, 2008 10:20 AM:

John:

It wouldn't surprise me if authors use SmartDraw’s mind mapping, but I don’t have a specific example. Movie makers use it for storyboarding however. Wes Craven has used it to plan his movies www.smartdraw.com/.../pr_wescraven.htm

# Paul said on May 22, 2008 10:29 AM:

Renate:

Thanks for the tip and the idea. I took a look at MindPlan's site. More expensive ($587) than SmartDraw and very focused on project management but it look like a nice product.

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