Creately is a web-based visual collaboration and diagramming platform that caters to a variety of needs. You can use it for all your everyday work such as brainstorming, to conduct meetings and workshops, strategy and planning, manage projects, visualize research findings and maintain documentation (Wiki). Creately has a user-friendly interface and the simplicity of the app makes it easy for anyone to use it with no learning curve. Let's dive into how Creately performs for specific uses.

Visual Collaboration and Whiteboarding

• Infinite Canvas: Creately workspaces feature an infinite canvas, where you can visualize anything freely, without having to stick to any particular format or frame. Let ideas flow freely and add anything to the canvas.
• Templates and Tool Kits: Creately Tool Kits consist of templates coupled with a sample database for an array of processes you can use to get started quickly. The app also has a community of over 1000 professionally made templates catering to multiple use cases.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Work with colleagues on diagrams simultaneously. Asynchronous editing and  in line commenting to share instant feedback.
• Asynchronous Editing: Collaborate with team members on a virtual whiteboard simultaneously. See edits unfold in real-time, fostering a dynamic brainstorming environment.
• Presentation Mode: This eliminates the need for you to switch apps to create separate presentations. You can guide your audience through any diagram or workspace (showing only what you need and hiding the rest per slide).
• Version History: Track changes made to the whiteboard and revert to previous versions if needed. This ensures everyone is on the same page and allows for easy backtracking.

Diagramming

• Rich Shape Library: Creately boasts an impressive collection of more than 20 shape libraries, connectors, and icons for various diagrams like flowcharts, UML diagrams, network diagrams, organizational charts, mind maps, etc.
• Template Library: Leverage pre-built whiteboard templates for common scenarios like project planning or user journey mapping, saving valuable setup time.
• Customization: Shapes can be deeply customized with colors, gradients, and line styles. You can even import your own SVGs for a truly unique touch.
• Super fast drawing: Drag-and-drop functionality makes creating visuals intuitive. It also has keyboard shortcuts so you can draw as fast as you type. The Plus Create function intuitively guesses the next relevant shape and adds it to the canvas with a single click. You can also use preset color themes and shape formatting to customize your diagrams.

Brainstorming

• Mind Mapping: Creately's mind map templates provide a visual framework to capture ideas and explore connections. Organize thoughts by color-coding, adding images, and collapsing branches.
• Sticky Notes: Use virtual sticky notes to jot down ideas, group them thematically, and easily move them around for better organization.
• Voting: Creately facilitates faster team decision making with voting, where you can vote on any item on the canvas publicly or anonymously. Everyone sees the voting action as it happens and this helps foster  transparency and unbiased opinions.

Managing Projects

 

• Visual Task Management: Use Creately to create visual roadmaps, track project timelines with Gantt charts, and assign tasks to team members with Kanbans. This fosters transparency and simplifies project communication.
• Integration Potential: Integrates with project management tools like Jira, Google Workspace and Github, allowing you to import tasks and visualize project progress within Creately.
• Commenting and Feedback: Add comments directly to diagrams, fostering communication and feedback exchange within the project team.
• CSV Data Import and 2-Way Sync with Google Sheets: Creately is powered with advanced database features that allow you to visualize data. For instance, you can import employee information in a CSV file to instantly generate an org chart that accurately captures all information and maintains a visual hierarchy of the reporting structure.
• Creately VIZ: This is Creately’s AI assistant that helps you generate visuals with a single prompt, expand and organize ideas and turn ideas into action items which can be tracked on a Kanban. Creately VIZ helps automate tasks when using the app, saving your time and helping you work efficiently.

 

• Limited Number of Shapes Per Canvas (Free Version): The free plan restricts the shape count per canvas, making it unsuitable for large-scale, intricate diagrams.
• Advanced Features Locked: Features like data linking and advanced formatting are reserved for paid plans.
• Learning Curve for Project Teams: Team members unfamiliar with Creately might require additional training to effectively utilize its project management capabilities.

Pricing

Creately offers a free plan with limited features, paid plans start at $5 per user per month (billed annually), and increase based on features and team size.

Click for more information on Creately pricing.

Summary

Creately is a powerful tool for visual thinkers and offers a wide range of features for diagramming, brainstorming, and basic project management. Its user-friendly interface, extensive template library, and real-time collaboration features make it a valuable asset for individual users and teams.

 

 

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