ConceptDraw Project 3 version 3.4: Professional Proactive Project Management

Reviewed by Robert Pritchett

Introduction

“ConceptDraw Project 3 is a unique program, designed to help successfully plan and keep track of any number of projects simultaneously. Working in business means there's often a need to work on several projects at the same time, each with a different focus and limited resources. With the help of ConceptDraw Project 3 it's easy to manage the resources being shared by different projects, as well as create linkages between them. Various projects are managed from a single workspace, giving the freedom to plan effectively, no matter how complex or large scale a project’s needs are.”

The usual project management tools are available here, with an interactive Gantt chart, individual calendars, functions to work with HTML, RTF, MS Excel and MS Project and the ConceptDraw family of products. And of course, it works with both Macs and Windows-based systems.

What’s New? http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/products/project/whats_new.php

It has been prettified with a floating dialog system, the ability to do multitasking, dragging an dropping between tasks, colorization schemes for better identification, sorting of tasks, projects and resources, a filtering wizard, an improved network diagramming viewer, and they added a Critical Path Management highlighter function as well.

It also transfers directly into ConceptDraw MINDMAP and provides for import and export to MS Project XML files.

Getting Started

The app may either be downloaded or it comes as a CD. There is a 28-page QuickStart Guide that covers how to work with the application including turning phase into task, specifying task parameters and information, setting links, milestones and deadlines, adjusting the timescale, working with resources, and calendars, and document transfers.

After installation and registration, the ConceptDraw Project 3 Online Manual may be accessed. There are 4 lessons on charting, editing, printing and working with multiple projects.

Conclusion

If you are familiar with project management activities, CS Odessa has made the process of documenting, planning and organizing with this Project 3 tool, considerably easier than it has been in the past.

Recommendation

I have no hesitation in the least recommending this product. CS Odessa has been actively updating it along with the other applications they make for business. They listened to our concerns, and have met them with improved products. And after starting in Odessa, Ukraine, the now have an office in San Jose, CA, in support of their ever-growing client base.