Better Interfacing with Project Planners
First - I have been a MindManager user since the product was first released. 30 years ago.
So consider me loyal, committed, and experienced.
IMHO - MindManager is still missing a critically-important feature that is limiting the product's utility. I feel that having used it for hundreds of project over the years, I am qualified to speak on this.
What is missing?
SERIOUS Project Planning via timelines and Gantt charts.
I know, I know - other people will respond as follows (including my rejoinders):
1. "It can export to MS Project." True - but unless you're building a Boeing 737, Project is overkill for the vast number of Projects.
2. "MM has Gannt Pro built-in." It was a great idea for Mindjet to purchase this, but they shoud have taken it more serously and upgraded it to better functionality. As it stands, it isn't even close to more substantial products; case in point - the extremely limited output options.
3. "MM now interfaces with Jira." Yes, but the following answer was almost impossible for me to believe when I asked the question about syncing in a live webinar about Jira integration: "You have to build your Jira Project before you can get it into MM, then you can sync back and forth." I was so stunned and annoyed by this answer that I immediaely left the webinar. For me - this is the dumbest thing I could imagine; i.e., making all the great tools in MM subservient to another program, versus vice-versa. I was so frustrated and disappointed when I heard this that I immediately went shopping for other mind-mapping products. Didn't buy any - yet.
So - final question: when will MM be granted this incredibly-important functionality, that is years and years overdue?
The "cynical me" now answers my own question: 1) when it was MindJet - maybe; 2) when it was Corel - less likely; 3) now that it's "Alludo" - NEVER.
"Small Fish are eaten by Big Fish; Big Fish are eaten by Bigger Fish; Bigger Fish are eaten by Giant Fish", etc. More money is generated, but products lose steam.
Final- really - final comment: I am not so proud as to resist being humbled by those wiser than I. If what I said above is unfair, and really great solutions to my request truly, already exist - I beg of another experienced user to educate me. I will eat massive amounts of humble pie. Please. Now. I have multiple projects pending where I desperately need quality Gannt chart outputs, designed within MM.
Thanks for listening.
The Gantt feature in MindManager is similar in nature to its features that support other disciplines - creating linear documents, working with spreadsheets, creating presentations etc. MindManager is a multi-purpose tool that can do a lot of things pretty well, but the only thing that it is expert-level at is creating mind maps. I don't think it would be viable to develop any of the supporting features to a level comparable to standalone products.
There are perhaps three strategies here:
Synchronisation is technically the most challenging but would be the most versatile.
Enhancements will always be demand-led and everyone will have their own priorities. But in the case of the Gantt function, all the data contained in the Gannt chart is derived from the map (i.e. the Gantt chart is just another view), so it would be entirely possible to create custom outputs. Can you describe what you need?
The Gantt feature in MindManager is similar in nature to its features that support other disciplines - creating linear documents, working with spreadsheets, creating presentations etc. MindManager is a multi-purpose tool that can do a lot of things pretty well, but the only thing that it is expert-level at is creating mind maps. I don't think it would be viable to develop any of the supporting features to a level comparable to standalone products.
There are perhaps three strategies here:
Synchronisation is technically the most challenging but would be the most versatile.
Enhancements will always be demand-led and everyone will have their own priorities. But in the case of the Gantt function, all the data contained in the Gannt chart is derived from the map (i.e. the Gantt chart is just another view), so it would be entirely possible to create custom outputs. Can you describe what you need?
KC,
Can you provide more details or examples of what you mean by "quality Gantt chart outputs?" We are dedicating a portion of our development efforts in version 24 to project management and I'd like to investigate improvments in this area but I'm having trouble understanding exactly what you're looking for.
Thanks
KC,
Can you provide more details or examples of what you mean by "quality Gantt chart outputs?" We are dedicating a portion of our development efforts in version 24 to project management and I'd like to investigate improvments in this area but I'm having trouble understanding exactly what you're looking for.
Thanks
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