adourado - Blog de Alessandro Dourado

The NB Project is a tool to manage projects open-source and multi-platform focused on the management of software projects. Using the architecture client/server with the client built on Platform Netbeans and therefore has many features found on the Netbeans as: modularisation, extension, to incorporate Netbeans so. As we can see the screenshots:

Figure 1 - The Splash Screen of NB Project

Figure 2 -  Screen of NB Project with the project example opened.

As mentioned in the post "NBProject History" the NB Project aims to be a tool for management of simple projects and resources not found in other free tools. Mainly linked to the collaboration. Its main features are:

Figure 3 -  Menu File.

Database

• Despite the 'NB Project' work with Database, you will not need know about database and much less run script. The tool has a wizard that creates the structure of tables required for their use. You need only select the database that wants to work. As shown in Figure 4.

Figura 4 - Create Database Wizard

 Company

• The company is created when the project is being created (Figure 5);
• The company's information can be updated at any time (provided the user has permission for this).
  

Projects

• Facility in creating the project using the wizard of creation.
• In the first step of assistant should be selected a connection with the structure of tables of NB Project;
• In the next step, we must inform the details of the project and the company (Figure 5).
  
• In the third and final step should inform the manager of the project. We can add a new manager, select a resource already registered in the database or select the user logged (Figure 6).
• Wizards also help the opening of existing projects (Figures 7);
• In the first step of wizard should be selected a connection to the database of existing NB Project and inform the user / password of the resource (if the user is logged, it will not be requested).
  
• In the second and last step will be listed the projects in which the user has permissions. That is, allocated to this project. When selecting a project will be listed details of the project. (Figure 7).
  
• The update of the information the project can be made at any time (provided the user has permission for this).
• When a project is updated with another resource/manager, the project opened is updated and the user is notified of the change (Figure 10).

 Figure 5 - Wizard create new NB Project step 2

 Figure 6 - Wizard create new NB Project step 3

 Figure 7 - Wizard open NB Project step 3

Tasks

• One or more tasks are added to planning for the implementation of the project.
• The tasks can be or have:
• Tasks
• Sub-Tasks
• Milestones
• Dependencies
• The screen to add a new task is unique (Figure 8) but the task can be added to the planning of the project in several ways:
  
• Choose Insert > New Task from the main menu;
• or choose icon Add Task on toolbar;
• or right-click on category Tasks node and choose Add New Task
• and the Gantt chart.
• The update of information from the task can be made at any time (provided the user has permission for this).
• Add / Remove resources ;
• Mudar o percentual de utilização de recursos;
• Dates and priorities;
• Others.
• The progress of work is informed by the window "Task Progress". Where the resource inform the progress of their activities and can also register notes and comments. (Figure 9).
• When a task is updated with another resource / manager, the project opened is updated and the user is notified of the change (Figure 10).
  

Figure 8 -Add new Task

Figure 9 - Task Progress.

Figure 10 - Popup of events.

Resources

• An resource may have a role as manager or any other role created by the project manager.
• One or more resources of the project are assigned to one or more tasks.
• The resources may be added to the planning of the project in several ways:
  
• Choose Insert > New Resource from the main menu;
  
• or choose icon Add Resource on toolbar;
• or right-click on category Resources node and choose Add New Resource;
• and the creation of the project (Figure 6).
  
• The update of information of resource can be made at any time (provided the user has permission for this).
• update role;
• Each resource has a user to the system (user / password) to perform actions permitted to their role.
• The user can log in (Figure 12) selecting the connection and enter username and password;
• With the user logged, you can change a user's password (Figure 13).

 Figure 11 - Add New Resource.

 Figure 12 - Login.

  Figure 12 - Change Password

Role

• Through the role we can define a resource as manager on a project and a developer on another project.
  
• The roles are defined by project. And it is through him that define the permissions of resources.
  
• A role can contain one or more resources.
  
• The screen to add new role is unique (Figure 13) but the role can be added to the project in several ways:
  
• Choose Insert > New Role from the main menu;
  
• or choose icon Add Role on toolbar;
• and right-click on category Roles node and choose Add New Role;
• The upgrade of the role of information can be made at any time (provided the user has permission for this).
• Add / Remove permissions;

  Figura 13 - Add New Role

Overview of the functioning of NB Project

1. Create a database with the structures of NB Project;
2. Create the project and the manager of the project;
3. Manager:
   
1. Add all the tasks of planning;
2. Add all roles and define their permissions;
3. Add all the resources of the project and assign a role to it;
4. Assign the resources that performs each task;
4. Resource:
1. See their tasks;
2. And the measure that perform its tasks, reports its progress;
5. When a change is made in the project, all open projects are updated and informed on the screen;
6. They are listed all the events that finish in day;

This project which came from nowhere (NBProject History), brought me many good experiences such as lectures, open-source development, direct contact with the staff of NB Dream Team and various other things. But that is subject to a future post. :)