In Communigram projects are structured in a Deliverable Breakdown Structure (DBS). This is done by breaking down the main deliverable ? the overall project objective ? into smaller and smaller deliverables until they can be delegated to individual persons or workgroups.
Creating Subprojects (Higher-Level Deliverables)
In Communigram individual deliverables are grouped into subprojects that in sum produce the higher-level deliverable (= subproject deliverable). A new subproject can be created simply by clicking on a project or subproject row and then using the right-hand mouse button to choose "New Subproject" from the context menu.
- Contextual Menu (right-click) to Create a New Subproject
The new subproject does not yet have any individual deliverables. These are added either by again opening the contextual menu (right-click, "New Deliverable (New Task)", by clicking on the first button in the toolbar (Add), or simply by using the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+I".
Breaking Down Deliverables
Projects can usually not be defined in full detail from the beginning. Instead, an incremental approach is needed in which results are first defined roughly, then refined as the project progresses. Communigram supports this approach by allowing you to break down existing deliverable definitions using the function "Convert into Subproject". This converts an existing deliverable into a subproject of the same name with a (sub)deliverable. All responsibilities, deliverable descriptions and time estimations are kept intact.
- In the Contextual Menu, Existing Deliverables can be Converted into Subprojects or Milestones
Reordering Subprojects
The structure of the project or process can be modified by simply reordering the subprojects. To do this, the subprojects are moved using the arrow buttons in Communigram.
- Depending on the Position in the Project Structure, the Subprojects Can Be Reordered Using the Arrow Buttons
Creating Milestones
The last activity in a subproject is typically a milestone, in which the elaboration of the individual results is reviewed. To create a milestone, convert an existing deliverable into a milestone using the contextual menu ("Convert to / Milestone").
Note: milestones appear as gray rows (rather than white), and their responsible appears as a diamond rather than a large dot.
- Contextual Menu To Create a Milestone by Converting A Deliverable
Milestones appear as gray lines, and their responsibles are shown as a diamond rather than a large dot. They state major events in the project and can be used to trigger decisions by the responsible via myCommunigram (see "Milestone Cases").