Tools to bring Visio and other Work Documents for Processes On-Line

[mschipperheyn]

Hi,

We're busy describing our work processes using Visio and creating a handbook and work instructions to go with that. I'm looking for a tool that allows me to take this work on-line. I would like e.g. to have the flow chart as part of a page interactively: clicking an element brings up a description. Publish work instructions along side the flow chart. I would also bring the material "alive" by allowing easy editing features, perhaps even a "suggestions for improvement" function. I want the tool to be relatively low end and affordable. This does not have to be a mega do-it-all tool, just a practical help.

Does anybody know of any?

Kind regards,

Marc Schipperheyn

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by mschipperheyn

Hi,

We're busy describing our work processes using Visio and creating a handbook and work instructions to go with that. I'm looking for a tool that allows me to take this work on-line. I would like e.g. to have the flow chart as part of a page interactively: clicking an element brings up a description. Publish work instructions along side the flow chart. I would also bring the material "alive" by allowing easy editing features, perhaps even a "suggestions for improvement" function. I want the tool to be relatively low end and affordable. This does not have to be a mega do-it-all tool, just a practical help.

Does anybody know of any?

Kind regards,

Marc Schipperheyn

I'm not sure about commercial applications that will do the things you want, but it sounds like you might be best served by engaging a good web designer to build the thing for you.

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by mschipperheyn

Hi,

We're busy describing our work processes using Visio and creating a handbook and work instructions to go with that. I'm looking for a tool that allows me to take this work on-line. I would like e.g. to have the flow chart as part of a page interactively: clicking an element brings up a description. Publish work instructions along side the flow chart. I would also bring the material "alive" by allowing easy editing features, perhaps even a "suggestions for improvement" function. I want the tool to be relatively low end and affordable. This does not have to be a mega do-it-all tool, just a practical help.

Does anybody know of any?

Kind regards,

Marc Schipperheyn

Hello Marc,

Here is an idea that I've offered to my Clients. Why don't you use a digital video camera and record the essential elements/steps of the process. One of my clients uses 30-second, 45-second; sometimes longer video clips, and load these on the server.

Let's take a look a set-up process for example.

The set-up person opens up a simple work instruction (that could be intranet or web based), pertaining to a particular machining process.

The first line instructs the set-up person to verify safety features and PPE requirements. When the set-up person clicks on that line, a video clip starts running showing what the appropriate PPE is and the safety features of the machine and equipment.

The next line instructs the set-up person particular settings and features on the machine and equipment, etc.

You see how this could work?

We spend way too much time and effort making beautifully formatted procedures, charts and work instructions that too many times are ignored because people do not want to read, or even worse, cannot read.

I am very well aware that this approach may not work in all cases, but where possible and appropriate, "live" imagery, does a much better job. It does not have to look fancy and it should be easy to edit and change. I believe that we should leverage available technology.

Allright, that's my .

Stijloor.

[mschipperheyn]

Hi,

Thanks for the responses so far. I think neither video nor custom web implementation will do the job. Video doesn't work for me because most if not all of the actions are computer interactions. A custom web implementation is an option but that would hurt maintainability. The advantage of some kind of tool that "publishes" the info is that changes in the work process can be reflected easily making sure that the changes actually implemented in the documentation in stead of "we'll do that some other time".

Cheers,

Marc

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by mschipperheyn

Hi,

Thanks for the responses so far. I think neither video nor custom web implementation will do the job. Video doesn't work for me because most if not all of the actions are computer interactions. A custom web implementation is an option but that would hurt maintainability. The advantage of some kind of tool that "publishes" the info is that changes in the work process can be reflected easily making sure that the changes actually implemented in the documentation in stead of "we'll do that some other time".

Cheers,

Marc

If most of the actions are computer interactions, could "help" screens work?

[mschipperheyn]

Well, the goal is to help people understand what they need to do and then how to do it. So we need to visualize and describe the process and then to give in depth instruction of how to do it. So, a help instruction does not seem appropriate because it assumes you already arrived at some particular spot in a program, and it also assumes it's about the program exclusively. In practice there are also things like "send email to x", "create document y" etc.

Cheers,

Marc

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by mschipperheyn

Well, the goal is to help people understand what they need to do and then how to do it. So we need to visualize and describe the process and then to give in depth instruction of how to do it. So, a help instruction does not seem appropriate because it assumes you already arrived at some particular spot in a program, and it also assumes it's about the program exclusively. In practice there are also things like "send email to x", "create document y" etc.

Cheers,

Marc

You're asking for something that can be done, but not cheaply, imo. If you want interaction and a lot of different online functions, you want some sort of web application. All software applications need to be maintained. If you're looking for some sort of off-the-shelf application I don't believe you'll find one that will do all of what you want without customization and the maintenance and expense that go along with it.

[mschipperheyn]

Yeah, what I really want is a way to add descriptive text to Visio diagram shapes and export that to a website: have an interactive diagram there. Click a shape and you see a text. Even static would be fine. But as soon as you say workflow and web, everybody shout "forms" and starts talking about how you can automate your business processes and integrate this and that software.

It's weird that this is not just available as a standard export for Visio.

Cheers,

Marc