LucidChart is a visual collaboration platform that aims to help users make diagraming fast and easy. The Provo, Utah based start-up launched its Beta version in 2008 and was added to the Google Apps Marketplace in spring of 2010. This web-based diagraming software was created in response to the challenging user-experiences presented by similar applications such as Visio.
Who is this application for?
LucidChart is well suited as a companion to other productivity software, or to be used as an aid in visualizing concepts and thought processes for group work, collaboration, and presentations. According to their website, LucidChart claims they are the missing link in online productivity suites.
What functions and tools can this application perform?
LucidChart allows for the creation of a variety of visual diagrams that can be created, cooperatively designed, and published through most any web browser. The company suggests up to ten creative uses for the software.
10 Uses for LucidChart
1. mind-mapping
2. venn diagrams
3. flowcharts
4. business process modeling
5. organizational chart
6. wireframe software and UI design
7. UML tool and diagram
8. network diagraming
9. iPad / iPhone mock ups
To help in aiding the creative process such as concept development, LucidChart suggests using the two modes of mind-mapping software and venn diagrams. The mind-mapping function is used to quickly organize and capture ideas during brainstorming sessions, and can be best equated to an online whiteboard. The venn diagram function is dedicated to making venn diagrams in an attractive and timely manner.
Three additional modes of LucidChart are used for visually communicating more finalized processes and concepts and are the modes of: a flowchart; business process modeling; and organizational chart software. LucidChart claims its flowchart software is the easiest and most powerful online flowchart software in the world, and is ideally suited in helping one communicate ideas visually. The business process modeling software is used for companies looking to model out the processes of their business, as well as to discover inefficiencies. The organizational chart software is designed to clearly communicate the responsibilities and roles of workers within an organization.
LucidChart also advertises the application’s use for IT professionals in conceptually diagraming their software and application projects. The wireframe software and UI design tool performs as a fully interactive markup that shows what happens when users push buttons, select menus, or click on links. The UML tool and diagram can be used to draw state, use-case, and sequence diagrams for concept visualization in software engineering. LucidChart also offers free network diagraming software along with an extensive library. And finally, the iOS application mock up software is geared toward testing the concept of a iPhone or iP app.
How does this application work?
LucidChart is an entirely web-based application and requires no installations or hard-drive to store data. It represents the new age of complete cloud technology. The application offers four levels of membership, ranging from a free account, personal account ($5 per month), professional account ($9.99), or a group account ($25). The free account can be set up within minutes, and the total process can be bypassed by logging in with one’s Google or Yahoo account. Variations within the membership levels are limited to online storage (between 25MB and 5GB), number of collaborators (option for unlimited in group / professional accounts), and number of objects used in one’s document. It is important to mention that the wire framing and iOS mark up functions are only available with Professional and Group memberships, both of which offer additional premium features of MS Visio import/export and revision history.
All software tools in LucidChart share the same interface and layout, but offer slightly different features apart from the base platform. Each diagram maker (such as the flow chart maker) is laid out as a blank canvas surrounded by a myriad of tools and functions. Its look and feel is similar to many common graphics software such as Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop. From this interface, the main practice of designing visual diagrams is undertaken almost exclusively through click-and-drag processes. LucidChart offers a sizable library for shapes, colors, fonts, and objects. Users also have the ability to upload images. Diagrams can be shared with any person via email address as well as being fully printable. For finished products, documents can be converted to PDF or web page.
Overall rating on 5 important criteria:
Case Study: In October of 2011, myself and a partner each created free accounts through LucidChart with the purpose of testing its suitability based on the criteria below. Ratings are based on a scale of 1-5 stars.
Is it user-friendly?
★★★★The LucidChart website is quite effective in communicating exactly what services are provided. The main heading lists the four topics that consumers are most interested in: tours; examples; tutorials; pricing; and community (how other people use LucidChart). Those new to LucidChart have the option of trying the product immediately without the hastle of signing up, which is a nice, commitment-free way of trusting the site. With regard to the interface, there is a nice balance of text and large icons. The site appears to be very intuitive in use, as there is clear direction and instruction for the user. Sign-in and registration is effortless, and even allows the option for signing in with a Google or Yahoo account. The diagramming software itself is also very intuitive and shares a similar layout to Microsoft Paint.
By browsing the Tour, Example, and Tutorial selections on the main page, one can easily learn about more advanced applications for the software, such as uploading custom images and creating custom colors. Even seemingly difficult tasks such as publishing and giving permission to other users for collaboration are simple to accomplish.
Productivity enhancing?
★★★As stated in its website, LucidChart aims to help users make diagramming fast and easy. Compared to other free, web-based diagramming software such as Google Doc's drawing tool, LucidChart excels by limiting the amount of guessing required by the user. For instance, all shapes are laid out on the sidebar in LucidChart, whereas Google Docs requires a series of drop-down menus to find one's desired shape. Such actions may seem trivial, but if multiplied exponentially over an hours time, a marked difference can be discerned.
On a more philosophical and planning level, LucidChart is also designed to help plan for better productivity through the actual diagraming services it offers. Tools such as the organizational flow chart and mind mapping software are pre-planning activities and contribute to a clearer action plan for better overall productivity.
What also sets LucidChart apart from Google Docs and OpenOffice are the beautiful graphics. Whereas the latter two applications remain largely two-dimensional and are not conducive to making fluid and curvy lines, the more organic shapes and arrows of LucidChart greatly represents it main functions representing brainstorming and living processes.
Start-up barriers ★★
LucidChart makes a concerted effort in eliminating start-up barriers. First, the company boasts having no compatibility issues, as it accepts all operating systems and web browsers. Additionally, no software is required to install. One nice feature concerning start-up is the ability to "test-drive" the site before registering, and having the added ability of signing in with a Google or Yahoo account.
A certain barrier for many users, especially concerning group work, is the pricing. For instance, to work on a group project with six collaborators, users would be forced to buy into the Professional subscription level at $9.95/ month. Similar limitations exist for storage as well as the use of premium features.
Storage and archive capability
★★The storage allowances for LucidChart vary by subscription type. The free account is limited to 25 MB. After creating six charts and reaching the 60 shape maximum use, a typical user will have only used about 1/10 of the total storage limit. However, the insertion of .jpeg documents will greatly add to this number. Additional allowances in storage can be had by subscribing to the personal membership (100 MB), professional (1 GB), and the team subscription (starting at 5 GB).
LucidChart allows for file storage that supports Visio (VDX formats), PNG, PDF, and JPEG. While documents can be edited by any member invited with such privileges, LucidChart has no revision history capabilities.
Stability
LucidChart is a web-based platform and utilizes cloud technology to store user data. Documents are backed up hourly to multiple data centers.
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Other reviews and tutorials
1. Video tutorials from LucidChart.com
1. Video tutorials from LucidChart.com
LucidCharts offers over 20 video tutorials, as well as many screen shot instructions for using its many tools.
Main focus of the source:
- Informative tutorials
- Step-by-step instructions
- Great attention to detail that is understood by all audiences
2. Technology review from TechInch: "LucidChart proves iPad web apps can be awesome".
http://techinch.com/2011/06/21/lucidchart-proves-ipad-web-apps-can-be-awesome/
Main focus of source:
- The simple interface of LucidChart translates well into mobile apps
- Eliminates the need for Visio, its competition
- Offers great video tutorial
3. From Technology & Learning: "Top web tools for enhancing collaboration."
Karaoglu, Ozge. "Top Web tools for enhancing collaboration." Technology & Learning Nov. 2010: 30+.Academic OneFile. Web. 9 Oct. 2011.
Karaoglu, Ozge. "Top Web tools for enhancing collaboration." Technology & Learning Nov. 2010: 30+.Academic OneFile. Web. 9 Oct. 2011.
Main findings of the source:
- Collaborate on a document simultaneously
- All members can view changes made to a document
- Group chat built in editor
http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/26/lucidchart-nabs-1-million-from-500-startups-2m-companies-and-k9-ventures/
The article details LucidChart's rise to power, as well as a nice video tutorial.
Main findings of source:
- Combines elements of Excel, Photoshop, and Google Apps on one platform
- Real time collaboration functionality details
- Has recently raised $1 Million to increase stability
