PM Easy
This solution helps you quickly start a project by listing task relationships and dependencies to make iterative planning easy.
Brainstorm your project, create Gantt chart from map and transform Gantt chart in one click to WBS, PERT, etc
This solution requires ConceptDraw Office 2 installed.
To install this solution use ConceptDraw Solution Browser which is part of Conceptdraw Office 2.
Benefits: This solution helps you quickly start a project by listing task relationships and dependencies to make iterative planning easy. Visual tools, such as mind mapping, increase the effectiveness of task tracking and analyses.
Objective: Support neutral methodology project management.
Solution Purpose: Rapid project startup is possible using mind mapping to gather requirements from your team and then plan activities in visual mind mapping format. Using mind mapping you can establish time lines, delineate tasks, assign resources, and organize overall project structure. The flexibility of mind mapping for starting a project is the most efficient way to build the initial project plan.
Intended For: This solution is targeted at project managers in small or medium sized companies who are looking for easy ways to efficiently start their projects.
Products and Methods: PM Made Easy allows you to plan and execute projects using mind mapping techniques, implement planning using mind mapping, and track tasks using ConceptDraw PROJECT.
Solution Reference: PM Easy
Step 1. Quickly start small projects with mind maps
By using ConceptDraw MINDMAP you can quickly create a list of project milestones and phase definitions using brainstorming to identify these items. When you finish brainstorming, your project milestones and project phases are visually organized.
Tasks and subtasks related to each phase can be identified and placed on the mind map. After placement, you can add additional details to the task, such as its relationship to an associated task, using the visual tools in ConceptDraw products to identify the connection method. After this initial phase is completed for your project, with a simple push of a button, your project is exported into a Gantt chart diagram inside of ConceptDraw PROJECT. From that point on, it is easy for the project manager to assign all available resources and set up the appropriate project calendars.
| Tasks | Actions | Products |
| Plan high-level project tasks and milestones using a mind map | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP, use the Input tab and click the Quick Project Start button | MM |
| Use to create details for high level tasks | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP, add Subtopics to topics that represent project phases | MM |
| Use to create logical relationships between tasks | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP, use the Home tab and press the Relationship button | MM |
| Use to create a project from the map | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP, use the Output tab and press the Create Project Button | MM, PRJ |
| Use to set properties for tasks, phases, and milestones | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use Gantt Chart View |
PRJ |
| Use to add human and material resources | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use Resource Sheet |
PRJ |
| Use to setup individual calendars for resources | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Home tab and Calendar button | PRJ |
| Use to assign resources to tasks | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use Gantt Chart View |
PRJ |
| Use to send today’s to-do list to project participants | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use Gantt Chart View Next, right click to use the context menu, and then select Microreport → Today task list with assigned resources |
PRJ |
Step 2. Track and control the project directly in the project views
Track tasks, phases, and milestones; change dependencies and completions; track assignments and availability of resources.
| Tasks | Actions | Products |
| Use to track the executions of tasks, phases, and milestones | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use Gantt Chart View |
PRJ |
| Use to change work assignments | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use Gantt Chart View |
PRJ |
Step 3. Dynamically plan and detail project phases using mind mapping
Define phases of a project using mind mapping. Set dependencies between tasks and assign resources.
| Tasks | Actions | Products |
| Use to determine details for the next project phase using a mind map | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Application Button and use Send → Open in MINDMAP Add more topics and subtopics related to the project |
PRJ, MM |
| Use to create dependencies between tasks and to setup logical connections | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP, use the Home tab and click the Relationship button You can setup dependencies as |
MM |
| Use to assign resources to tasks | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP, use the Output “Open in Project”, in ConceptDraw PROJECT assign resources to tasks | MM, PRJ |
Step 4. Visualize different phases of the project using diagrams
Visual diagrams give you the ability to view at a detailed level project attributes such as project scope, logical connections in the project, critical paths, key events on the timeline, milestones, tasks, calendars for work, and resource utilization.
| Tasks | Actions | Products |
| Use for Work Breakdown Structure diagram and to show detailed project scope | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Reports tab and click “WBS Diagram” | PRJ, PRO |
| Use PERT Chart to show logical dependencies of tasks and critical project paths | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Reports tab and click “PERT Chart” | PRJ, PRO |
| Use Timeline to show the time sequence of project milestones and upper-level phases | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Reports tab and click “Timeline” | PRJ, PRO |
| Use Resource Calendar to show general and personal work calendars | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Reports tab and click “Resource Calendar” | PRJ, PRO |
| Use Milestone Chart to show sequences and logical dependencies of milestones | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Reports tab and click “Milestone Chart” | PRJ, PRO |
| Use Resource Usage Diagram to show project resource usage | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Reports tab and click “Resource Usage Diagram” | PRJ, PRO |
| Use Radial Tasks Diagram to show the most labor-consuming tasks and project phases | In ConceptDraw PROJECT, use the Reports tab and click “Radial Tasks Diagram” | PRJ, PRO |
| Use for Work Breakdown Structure diagram and to show detailed project scope | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP use the Output “WBS Diagram” | MM, PRO |
| Use PERT Chart to show logical dependencies of tasks and critical project paths | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP use the Output “PERT Chart” | MM, PRO |
| Use Gantt Chart to show logical dependencies of tasks and critical project paths | In ConceptDraw MINDMAP use the Output “Gantt Chart” | MM, PRO |
