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RationalPlan 6 – Project Baselines, Reports, Clients Management, Improved Scheduling and Microsoft Project Integration

RationalPlan 5.7

Stand By Soft launches RationalPlan 6 a new major version that comes with lots of new features and improvements especially for the web based interface. To be noted the possibility to work with baselines and Earn Value Management technique, generating reports, clients management, improved projects scheduling with timescales up to seconds, custom columns and new filters, data export etc. Compatibility with Microsoft Project files was also enhanced, while integration with Google Drive was updated to the latest V3 version.

The upgrade from RationalPlan 5 to RationalPlan 6 will be free for customers that have purchased the product in the last year. Older version 5 customers will be able to upgrade with a 50% discount.

RationalPlan is a project management software suite that is available either as stand alone products or as a cloud service. It is used by individuals and companies that need a solution to manage their projects in an efficient way.

New features in RationalPlan 6

  • possibility to work with baselines and Earn Value Management technique when managing projects
  • reports were added to Portfolio view: calendar report, resource assignments, costs, project info, task cost distribution, resource cost distribution, resource work distribution
  • added project status column in Timesheet view and corresponding filter in My assignments view
  • On-Premise products (Single and Multi) are now available within the Microsoft Store
  • Clients view was added and also exporting clients to Excel
  • updated “Tasks for resource…” filter to be able to filter for tasks without resources assigned
  • added custom columns for Portfolio, Clients and Resources and a corresponding “not contains” filter
  • added expand all/collapse all buttons in Gantt view and a level expand functionality
  • improved the scheduling algorithm to keep the completion date when changing task duration
  • export projects in several formats (.srp, .xml, .xls)
  • updated Google Drive integration to V3
  • added minutes/seconds timescale for micro-projects
  • edit the task name directly within the tile component when working with task lists
  • Improved compatibility with Microsoft Project
  • Bug fix regarding ALAP constraints
  • Bug fix: guard against milestones when computing the % complete to avoid division by 0 and hit NaN value
  • Bug fix: do not allow to remove the last rate for a resource

(more…)

By |2022-11-24T11:55:34+00:00October 4th, 2022|News, RationalPlan|0 Comments

Can You Do Time Estimation Without Making Assumptions?

time estimation

When planning to begin an exciting new project, project managers are often asked, “how long will you take to complete the project?”

Time is a finite resource since our life-span is short. Even if we try to, we cannot escape the limitations of time. This is why estimating time is among the essential aspects of managing projects.

Sometimes, project managers are not asked about the estimation but a deadline is forced down their throat. The client or their manager just directs them to complete activities by a specific prescribed date.

Generally, when a deadline is imposed, most project managers try to finish the job within the specified time frame.

They do everything in their power to meet the deadline but this too should not be done without estimating. The estimation should be still done even when somebody has set a deadline for you. You should back-calculate and try to fit in your tasks within the available time. This is a difficult job but not an impossible one.

Let us try to answer one basic question about estimation – can duration estimation be done without making assumptions? (more…)

By |2022-11-18T10:19:57+00:00September 29th, 2022|Project Management, Risk Management, Time Management|0 Comments

RationalPlan Takes Measures Against Russian Military Actions

As a general rule we, at RationalPlan, are following the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanction list and restrict the payment methods to those mentioned countries.

However the current situation in Ukraine deserves a special attention. As such, although the payments are restricted in the SWIFT system, we have decided to stop all sales in the Russian and Belarus countries.

This is our way to protest against the Russian military actions that are undergoing in Ukraine. War is never a solution to any conflict. Innocent people are dying, leaving their homes or suffering in hard conditions!

About Stand By Soft

Stand By Soft was founded in 1997 as a software company specialized in building desktop applications and components. RationalPlan is a project management solution that follows the general recommended guidelines from project management domain. MOOS Project viewer is a Microsoft Project viewer that allows users to open, view in a dynamic way and print any Microsoft Project file.

Contact name: Crina Popescu
Address: Ion Maiorescu, No. 4, Proiect building, Craiova, Dolj, 200760, Romania
Email: marketing@rationalplan.com
Phone: +40770595742

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By |2022-06-15T07:47:09+00:00March 14th, 2022|RationalPlan|0 Comments

RationalPlan 5.9 – New Look and Feel for Web-Based Interface

RationalPlan 5.7

RationalPlan 5.9 just received a new look and feel for the Cloud solution with a lighter browser based interface. Compatibility with Microsoft Project files was improved while Tomcat 10 support was added. Other features include columns grouping within the Portfolio view.

RationalPlan is a project management software suite that is available either as stand alone products or as a cloud service. It is used by individuals and companies that need a solution to manage their projects in an efficient way.

Features added for RationalPlan 5.9

  • New interface design
  • Added possibility to multi group columns in Portfolio view
  • Improved compatibility with Microsoft Project
  • Tomcat 10 compatibility

(more…)

By |2022-06-16T11:46:40+00:00March 9th, 2022|News, RationalPlan|0 Comments

RationalPlan 5.8 Improves Working With Tasks Within Board Lists

RationalPlan 5.7

RationalPlan 5.8 comes with several improvements when managing tasks using the task lists view: task tiles can be moved from one list to another using mouse drag actions, task drag tracker and drop position hint is more visible and users have a context menu for quick actions. This version also comes with a pulsing hint mini-guide to help users navigate the main views of the application.

RationalPlan is a project management software suite that is available either as stand alone products or as a cloud service. It is used by individuals and companies that need a solution to manage their work in an efficient way.

Features added for RationalPlan 5.8

  • Added contextual menu for task tiles
  • Added mouse drag & drop actions for tasks between lists
  • Use a more suggestive drag tracker for tasks
  • Added better task drop hint
  • Added a pulsing hint and mini-guide

(more…)

By |2021-11-01T06:45:54+00:00October 12th, 2021|News, RationalPlan|0 Comments

RationalPlan 5.7 – Offers Printing Functionality from Browser

RationalPlan 5.7

Starting with RationalPlan 5.7 printing functionality is also available directly within the browser. The main views like Gantt chart, Portfolio and Timesheet can now also be printed from the web based interface.

RationalPlan is a project management software suite that is available either as stand alone products or as a cloud service. It is used by individuals and companies that need a solution to manage their work in an efficient way.

Features added for RationalPlan 5.7

  • Added company placeholder for printing
  • Updated integration with Dropbox
  • Added printing in web interface for Gantt, Portfolio, WBS and Timesheet views
  • Introduced currency settings for web interface
  • Added support for repository download
  • Fixed header height and row height synchronisation on Gantt chart
  • Bug fix related to custom Data columns for tasks and resources

(more…)

By |2022-11-18T10:19:57+00:00March 31st, 2021|News, RationalPlan|0 Comments

RationalPlan 5.6 – Common Theme Across all Browsers and Improved Web Interface

RationalPlan 5.6

RationalPlan 5.6 comes with a common theme for all browsers. Further more, the web interface added roll over actions for the Kanban board and task dependency management by direct typing within the Gantt table.

RationalPlan is a project management software suite that is available either as stand alone products or as a cloud service. It is used by individuals and companies that need a solution to manage their work in an efficient way.

Features added for RationalPlan 5.6

  • Use a common theme across all browsers
  • Added roll over actions on Kanban board
  • Add task dependencies by direct typing them within the Gantt table
  • Updated Mac OS X distributions to satisfy Apple security restrictions

(more…)

By |2022-11-18T10:19:57+00:00October 28th, 2020|News, RationalPlan|0 Comments

RationalPlan 5.5 Adds Kanban Board for Agile Project Management Needs

RationalPlan 5.5

RationalPlan 5.5 brings a major change to its way of managing projects. Although the product is best suited for the traditional waterfall project management methodology it can also be used for agile projects. Further more, starting with current version, it improves the support for agile project management with the newly added Kanban board.

RationalPlan is a project management software suite that is available either as stand alone products or as a cloud service. It is used by individuals and by companies that need a solution to manage their work in an efficient way.

Features added for RationalPlan 5.5

  • Added Kanban view for agile project management
  • Added color settings for tasks
  • Added Info column within Gantt view
  • Added roll over icon in Portfolio view
  • Improved support for importing MS Project .xml files
  • Added “Go to Start” action for tasks on the contextual menu of Gantt grid

(more…)

By |2022-11-18T10:19:57+00:00May 5th, 2020|News, RationalPlan|0 Comments

Top 5 Benefits of Using Project Management Software Tool

Many people believe that a Project Management software tool does not have much utility as spreadsheets work much better and provide a cheaper option.

Before we debate this, let me ask you a question. Which tool would you use if you have to put a nail in a wall – a hammer or a screwdriver?

Most probably your answer would be hammer. It does not mean that a screwdriver is a useless tool. It only means that a hammer is a more appropriate tool for putting a nail.

Similarly, when it comes to project management activities like planning and tracking, you should use a proper tool. A spreadsheet software is a general tool that is good for performing calculations and maintaining records but it should not be used for managing projects.

A proper tool helps in automating activities like estimating, scheduling, budgeting, organizing, tracking, and reporting. A spreadsheet software can never do all these things.

Let’s take a look at the top benefits of using a project management software.

Benefits of Using Project Management Software Tool

1. Scheduling

Scheduling involves the following steps:

  1. Identification of activities
  2. Estimating duration, cost, and resources
  3. Identifying dependencies and sequencing the activities
  4. Assigning resources and developing schedule
  5. Adjusting schedule to meet deadline

All these steps can be easily performed by using a specialized project management software. By using it, you can establish a proper workflow so that project staff members know what are they supposed to do and when.

Furthermore, by using a proper tool, you can easily adjust the schedule when there are any delays or changes as the project progresses. (more…)

By |2022-11-18T10:19:57+00:00January 28th, 2020|Project Management Software|0 Comments

RationalPlan 5.3 – Improved Web Interface and Support for Opening Microsoft Project 2019 Files

RationalPlan 5.3

RationalPlan 5.3 comes with new features for the web-based interface and adds support for opening Microsoft Project 2019 files. It adds more columns to Portfolio and Resources views, filters for tasks to Gantt view and more settings for the chart. It also adds calendars and special working days for tasks and resources.

RationalPlan is a project management software suite that is available either as stand alone products or as a cloud service. It is used by individuals and by companies that need a solution to manage their work in an efficient way.

Features added for RationalPlan 5.3 version

  • Calendars and special working days for resources and tasks
  • The possibility for resources to use the assigned task calendar
  • Filters for tasks on Gantt view
  • More columns for Portfolio view
  • Custom columns for Resources view
  • More settings for Gantt chart
  • Display the list of projects for the current project combo in alphabetical order
  • Support for opening MS Project 2019 files

(more…)

By |2022-11-18T10:19:57+00:00September 18th, 2019|News, RationalPlan|0 Comments
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