Version 0.2 Released

We are pleased to announce the release of version 0.2 of the Prozima client application. This release features most of the major bugs which were present in the last version, giving this release much improved stability and functionality.
Some of the fixes included in version 0.2 are:

• Options. Changing autosave directory now moves the files as well.
• Dashboard trend chart fills width of the window if there is no data to display.
• When adding a milestone to a new schedule with no activities or milestones, the new milestone is now displayed on the Gantt chart.
• Windows Vista. Application window was about 15% too narrow upon startup and was not positioned at top-left of screen. Window positioning is now correct.
  
• When creating a new project with only one valid subscription, the user was still queried to choose a subscription. This is no longer required.
  
• When updating the time periods for the work week of a resource, some changes were lost in the user interface but stored to XML. The user interface now behaves correctly.
  
• Activities tab. Milestone cumulative effort etc. was not displayed in tooltip. Resolved.
  
• Activities tab. Newly logged work did not update the activity's progress bar. Resolved.
  
• Gantt chart. Activity popups didn't always render, depending on how the chart was scrolled. Popup positioning has now been improved.

We now intend to add some of the missing features in preparation for development release 0.3. It is planned for the next release to include an improved schedule solver, resource cost configuration and an improved visual style.

Version 0.2 Screenshots

Development continues on version 0.2 of Prozima. This version will include over 30 major bug fixes, making the next release of the application a lot more stable and functional. We have generated some screenshots of version 0.2 in action to give an idea of what the application looks like.

Prozima features a tabbed interface, which allows the user to quickly switch between alternative views of their projects and schedules. Fig.1 shows the Manager's Dashboard tab, which contains a high-level summary of the status of each project and resource. This high-level dashboard allows the user to instantly judge the status of a portfolio of projects. At the top of the dashboard, a trend chart illustrates the total effort worked across all projects and the difference between planned and actual work performed.

Fig.1 Dashboard with Trend Chart

In the middle of the dashboard, there are two tables containing a summary of the status of each resource and project. This facilitates the quick identification of areas where actual performance is lagging behind scheduled performance. Finally, the "Today's Activities" table provides the user with a view of which activities have outstanding work to be performed i.e. what should be worked on today and whats behind schedule.

Fig.2 Projects Tab

The Projects tab in Fig.2 displays a list of all the current Projects. When the user selects a specific project, much more detailed information appears at the bottom of the application. Here, the user can view and update project's active schedule and other properties. In Fig.2, the Schedules tab is visible, which allows the user to manage schedules and baselines. The user also has the option to manage the Work Breakdown Structure for the project and update the project's calendar and timetable using the WBS tab.

Fig.3 Gantt Chart View of a Schedule

Any schedule can be viewed using a Gantt Chart view, as shown in Fig.3. Prozima provides all of the functionality of a standard Gantt chart and provides several enhanced features not currently seen in other project management tools. The aim is to provide a highly interactive Gantt Chart which allows the user to drill into the data. As with all other information in Prozima, the Gantt Chart updates in realtime and does not require refreshing by the user.

Prozima version 0.2 currently has a scheduled release date of the 12 February 2009.