Diagram Software

Diagram software: purchase guide

What is a diagram software?

Definition

Diagram software allows businesses to visualize processes and data. This includes functional models, flowcharts, mind maps... Thanks to predefined templates, diagram software graphically illustrates the path of a thought.

Moreover, this creative software helps businesses visualize ideas and evaluate the progress of a project thanks to Gantt charts, illustrations of agile methods, and mind maps... 

How does it work? 

Diagram software offer a plethora of features and can be used for different tasks. Most of them offer predefined diagram models (flowchart, mind map, ...), you just have to select a graph and modify it to draw a graph. It is then possible to create effective graphical representations. Diagrams are simplified and the drawings are clear in order to express a vision of a project in a different way or to solve a problem by dissecting the different solutions. Among the few examples of diagrams that can be made, we note that it is possible to make a Pareto diagram, a flow diagram or a flow chart of a project. 

All diagram software allow you to create graphical representations using project management tools. They allow you to visualize important results thanks to dashboards.

What are the features of diagram software? 

Here are the main features of diagram software:

• A varied library of predefined models and shapes (network organization charts, Pert diagrams, mind maps, Gantt charts, functional models, class diagrams, sequence diagrams, point cloud diagrams, bar charts, etc.);
• Adapted ergonomics and easy handling. Opt for the very simple drag and drop of shapes to create graphical representations and your diagrams. 
• Collaboration: choose a multi-user edition with shareable folders and the ability to modify a diagram at the same time. This feature is very convenient and appreciated during brainstorming sessions. 
• A revision history to track format changes and possibly retrieve a previous version;
• Data export to a PowerPoint presentation software in order to support your speech with a synthetic and visual representation;
• Compatibility with other office software (with Excel or Word for example);
• Easy sharing via social networks or to a recipient thanks to an editing or read-only URL. 

Who uses diagram software?

Diagram software can be used by any type of business. For example, a start-up can do mind mapping during brainstorming sessions, small and medium-sized companies can model programming flowcharts and large companies can use them to establish network diagrams. It is also possible to use this software to model a demographic analysis.

What are the benefits of using diagram software?

There are many benefits to using diagram software for businesses. Among them:

• A clear and synthetic vision of a flow of ideas that can be complex;
• A better memorization of information thanks to relevant colors or shapes to build an intuitive diagram. 
• Greater speed of execution to create diagrams thanks to a simple handling;
• A great communication tool during meetings but also if you are participating in exhibitions or conferences;
• A quick visualisation of the company's figures as well as possible areas for improvement;
• It is an excellent project management tool. It allows a better understanding of a phenomenon by looking for causes and possible solutions while presenting them on a single representation;
• To illustrate reports that are sometimes difficult to grasp and to summarize ideas in the form of a clear diagram. There are many diagrams available for this purpose: bar charts, class diagrams, flow charts and sequence diagrams. 
• Easily list certain tasks and illustrate a specification while managing the project schedule.

Free or paid diagram software?

Diagram creation software is available in free or paid versions. It all depends on how you plan to use it. If it is a one-time use, downloading a free diagram software or an open source software may be enough. The functionalities are rather limited and some possibilities that a paid software gives will not be accessible. Xmind which is a software for idea and task mapping will not offer the same features as a creately in terms of pie charting. 
It is necessary to define your needs before investing in paid diagram software. This type of software is ideal for project follow-up, planning and protocol scheduling. Thanks to their toolbar, the software can illustrate a large number of situations: animation of interventions, exchanges with teams or even recommend agile methods to make the design of a product more fluid... It may be wise to test several software packages to find the one best suited to the company's needs.

The best free diagram software :
Creately
Draw.io
Flowchart
Lucidchart

The best paid software : 
Adioma
Cacoo
GenMyModel
Gliffy
MyDraw
OmniGraffle Pro
Sketchboard.me
SmartDraw
Visio