Ten Reasons You Should Learn MS-Visio
After almost fifteen years in the Information Technology field, I have come to respect both out of the box ($$) and open-source programs. However, there is one product which goes unmatched by open-source competition, and that is Microsoft Visio. It is relatively cheap and easy to use and will boost your software efforts in all ways. Here are ten reasons why you should start putting MS-Visio to work at your business or in your studies if you are a student:
- Brainstorming. Visio has a powerful template that allows for simple brainstorming and the recording of ideas. Simply tremendous.
- Block Diagramming. Visio has a powerful template that allows you to subdivide your ideas and represent them in “blocks”. Indeed, to divide is to conquer.
- Business Processes. Visio has a great template that enables you to graphically illustrates all business processes that your company or project entail. Incredible!
- Charts and Graphs. Visio allows you to further analyze your financial data that are best displayed via charts and graphs. This is a real decision-making helper.
- Flowcharts. This Visio template allows you to create flowcharts for all internal and external processes you need to troubleshoot. I use this daily as a Technical Writer.
- Organizational Charts. This Visio template is not only for business structures, but for any kind of hierarchical topology that must be defined.
- Software. This Visio template allows you to recognize all software programs you use and how they relate to one another. Great for any overhaul project.
- Networks. Do you need to detail your computer network and where virtual resources exist for your employees? If so, then this template is for you.
- Project Scheduler. Are you a project manager? Are you a student juggling classes and commitments? If so, then this template is for you.
- Web Diagramming. Are you building a website? Do you need to display its topology for any reason? If so, then this template is for you. (Kudos for this template.)
Regards,
Keith
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About the author: Keith Johnson is a Technical Writer from South-Florida with over ten (10) years of experience writing on-line and hard-copy software user manuals. Keith practices affirmations and meditation to stay well – mentally and physically - and has written a book on each of these areas. The books’ websites are: Sacred Syllable and Great Affirmations, respectively.
6 Rockin' Comments
April 9th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I’m a huge fan of Visio - it helps me to create awesome looking diagrams with no graphics skills whatsoever.
I recently posted on my technical blog about how I used Visio for developing a user interface prototype for a software development project: http://www.coolbits.nu/1340.aspx (In particular, I mentioned two free Visio add-ons we used - a sketchy-looking stencil, and a tool called Swipr that integrates a screen flow diagram with a set of wireframes.)
I was very happy with the results of this approach, and I’m sure I’ll be using Visio for future user interface designs.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:39 am
I would be very careful about positioning Visio as a tool for managing processes. As I mention in my article about ‘Visio - the Devils Tool’, it is excellent as a drawing tool to help create a diagram you want to show to management but it is severely lacking in good business process mapping or management functionality.
If you want to draw pretty pictures use Visio. If you want to seriously map your processes and workflow, use a BPM tool!
http://process-cafe.blogspot.c.....-tool.html
April 10th, 2008 at 5:54 am
I, too highly enjoy Visio. I never knew of its existence before a teacher utilized it in class, but for network diagramming or site maps it suits my purposes quite well. Good article!
April 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I love SmartDraw! It’s easier to use than Visio, cheaper, and has more functionality for the everyday business person. I use it all the time in my freelance business to create flowcharts, project charts/schedules, presentations, marketing pieces, and lots more. It basically makes me look like a rockstar! You can download a free trial of SmartDraw at http://www.smartdraw.com.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I’m a product manager at SolarWinds. I noticed that some of you were interested in network diagramming. I thought I’d point out a promo that Microsoft is running for a SolarWinds Visio plug-in that automatically maps your network in Visio. It’s free if you click on the link on http://visiotoolbox.com/Default.aspx
Apologies if I overstepped the line here, but I know everyone likes free stuff ;-)
April 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am
This sounds like a great program. I guess its not free is it. Do you know of a free alternative?
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