Internet Technology Learning Management System
Open source desktop applications for project management work can be more imaginative then the commercial software management systems that always seem to rework the same applications with minor differences. Open Workbench is nice because it does not offer the same time-based goal orientation but instead offers task-based goals. A goal is reached when a task is finished instead of having to race against a clock for each task. The download is free from Source Forge.net.
The installment took less than 15 seconds. The application has a double split screen vertically and a triple split screen horizontally at the Phase One Gantt level for each Project. This is time saving for setting dates so details can be written without having to click back and forth to the calendar or between windows. It is better to write out the details when goals are task-based during the design of the project or the initial start-up phase. There are no fancy bells and whistles on this software; it is strictly-business. The look is pleasant and is designed with the eye-friendly colors of grey, soft yellow and a soft blue-grey.
The manual turned out to be important. Even though the software is not intuitive, the manual has direct easily understood instructions so one quick read through is enough to get started. The software is not intuitive but it does follow a common sense method that managers can adapt easily to their particular situation. The trick is to concentrate on learning how to move within the program, once that is accomplished the software is good for different types of companies and processes.
The toolbar has all the daily task uses needed. The email application automatically attaches the project with the message. The Microsoft Word system is automatically integrated with no problem. The tasks can be automatically scheduled or not; so tasks that are unrelated to meeting the deadline can be ignored. Five choices are available when setting deadlines for
tasks: (a) resource constraints, (b) schedule for finish date, (c) honour constraints on started tasks, (d) schedule assignments on locked tasks, and start successors on next day. The external project dependencies and sub-projects can be integrated easily.
Managing student’s past transcript record with future needs is easy to do with the split screen approach. The management of records, correspondence and even purchasing is possible with this software. Networking within the institution is made easier when all departments are able to have access to the same application (if it becomes necessary). The Gantt chart can be used for grade records, purchasing records or tuition and fees records because the third split screen at the bottom is set up for two decimal place processing.
Cons
Non-intuitive. Although the software is not intuitive and a manual is necessary that is probably better for an institution which will have hundreds of users throughout a system which is divided into several departments using it for different types of projects. When software is intuitive there are sometimes too many choices and with the Workbench the users will be able to use the same procedures regardless of their particular project-type.
Not time oriented deadlines. The software at the outset does not seem to schedule goals on a time deadline basis, but within the structure of the software-task-based scheduling it can easily be added when wanted. Customizing. There are not very many options for customizing the features. Probably not good for users who prioritize the customizing of their software applications to their personal preferences.
Pros
No switching from window to window necessary because task frames for recording information and data is split double screen vertically and split triple screen horizontally
Manual available so users with completely different tasks use the exact same procedures
Two decimal point recording for financial notation and/or grading notation
Easy to install and use with immediate integration with Microsoft Word folders and spreadsheets
Options for customizing are few but cover those necessary to customize projects with enough flexibility
Colors are easy on the eyes so should cut down on eye fatigue
Suited for getting the job it was designed for finished quickly and efficiently with easy integration with users Microsoft Word software and network sharing
Filling in the required data and paperwork is simple and adapts easily to different project needs
Good for IT manager because the entire institution is using the same software application
It is open source, so it is free
Workbench is a no-cost software application for managers of complex management systems who want to use task-based deadline goals for finishing projects on time.
References
Cosgrove, Brendan. (2011). IT Systems Management Efficiency for Educational Institutions. Kaseya Blog. 1 March. Web. Accessed 18 April 2012 from http://blog.kaseya.com/blog/2011/03/01/it-systems-management-efficiency-for-educational-institutions/
Workbench software application. (2012). Source Forge. n.d. Web. Accessed 18 April 2012 from <http://sourceforge.net/projects/openworkbench/>.
