LucidChart – easy and free flowchart tool
December 26, 2008
I usually don't pay attention to solicitous emails trying to get me to blog about some new site, service, or product. But every once in a while there is one worth sharing.
LucidChart is a free web-based collaborative flow-chart application. Here are some of its features:
- a really simple user interface that is easy to learn
- you can set up an unlimited number of users to edit a document/flowchart
- you can create multiple pages/flowcharts and link one to another easily
- no plug-ins required and cross-browser compatibility
- text is automatically centered in the image and lines snap together perfectly
- export of flowchart as a PDF, webapge, PNG, or JPG
There are a lot of needs for flow-charting, especially with project management. I can't tell you how many managers I've seen with a huge long flow-chart on several pieces of paper taped together into one long sheet. Flowcharts rock as a way to measure progress in your work, but they also work well for user training. Flowcharts of "how to search the catalog" or "how to research your topic" are great tools for our users. Check LucidChart out! and see what you think!
January 4th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
You should also give Graphsy (www.graphsy.com) a try. In addition to charting it lets users embed interactive versions of their charts in web pages as well as provides tools to animate charts. While it does not have the shape library or collaboration of LucidChart, those features are coming in the near future.