Not every project requires a complex tool for the planning and implementation. Simpler tools for managing tasks are well-established especially for smaller projects. They usually offer task lists and simpler calendar functionality.

Innovative user experience

With, "The Big Picture," there is now a tool with a refreshingly innovative user experience. Upon opening a free account, the view ahead is, literally, a white wall. Except for a small calendar, the canvas shows no menus or windows. The choices are simplified. Up until the function "Create project," there are no alternatives. A project is created it by drawing a colored circle. The semantic meaning of the size of a circle is left to the user.

Work packages

With a click on the appropriate circle, we access the actual canvas. We can now define the work packages and arrange them on the canvas. Work packages can be freely placed on the surface and arranged in hierarchies. Creating, moving, and arranging work packages properly is a fun exercise and reminiscent of a mind map tool.

The “container” serves as a kind of waste basket. Objects to be discarded can be placed in the container via drag-and-drop. Work packages can be dragged into the container and back out again onto the project canvas. Working in this fashion, it is also possible to transfer work packages from one project to another. Working on the idea of a glass container, objects in the container appear as small marbles. The color of a marble matches the color coding of its associated project. Certain playfulness on the part of the developers of "The Big Picture" can certainly be noted."

Work packages can also be scheduled in the calendar. To do this, drag a work package to the calendar and switch the display. There, you can then set the desired date by drag-and-drop. You can simply invite other participants by mail.

Summary

As project management software, “The Big Picture” cannot yet be considered a project management tool, owing to its reduced functionality. But it does provide useful services for managing and organizing work packages. We are especially impressed with the innovative control concept, particularly the handling of creation and grouping work packages. The concept makes it fun to identify activities to be carried out easily. Considering "The Big Picture" is still a young tool undergoing diligent development, we look forward to further features. We will, in any case, stay on the ball and publish new features as they come along.

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