RationalPlan Reviews

RationalPlan Project Planning

Comments: I have been using MS Project in the office PC for many years now and have been looking for a similar app to use on my mac at home. RationalPlan is just the perfect app I'm looking for - simple intuitive interface with a decent presentation style and at an amazingly affordable price! I must add that the support team has been ultra responsive when help is needed.

Very Effective Project Management Tool

Comments: I work with a lot of different customers and am constantly importing and exporting project plans (converting from MS Project). RationalPlan allows me to effectively and efficiently work with the plans in this mixed environment. I find it an essential tool for my business.

Pros:

It is a native Mac program that imports and exports MS Project files efficiently.

Cons:

I have had some issues over the years with specific bugs. But to their credit, RationalPlan has always been quick to respond with a resolution to the issues. I still seem to have some issues with the printing format and how it handles logos.

Good but can be better

Comments: First of all I'm not a gantt expert. I just share my thoughts.
I have a big problem: On Linux last version is troublesome: in the gantt visualization, the mouse arrow blocks itself when passing on the gantt chart, while it goes smooth on other parts of the window.
Another thing I find bad is when I change tasks duration/resources/manhours. I would kike it to be in "full manual" control if I want. Beacuse sometimes automatic adjustments simply don work.
For the rest It is a GREAT product.

Pros:

It works under linux, it manages multiple projects.

Cons:

See main review

The Best Planning Software for Linux

Comments: I have trialled several planning software applications and have find that RationalPlan is the best I have come across. I am using the Single version, which is free for Linux users, for other OS there is a charge. There is MultiProject version which is not free. Gantt Chart
Too many of the software I have looked at is too much like MS Project 2003 which looks very 1980's. Presentation is always an important issue for clients and indeed colleagues, and RationalPlan certainly ticks the right boxes as the colour of the bars can be changed in the Settings/Options. Trying to fit a gantt chart and data columns onto an A4 or A3 can always be a frustrating exercise, which ever software package you are using. In RationalPlan, however, the best way is through Reports/More/Gantt, where there are the options to help you to manipulate the image to fit on the size of paper. There is one item that does puzzle me, is that the Gantt report option is hidden under "More" and not displayed in the drop-down menu. Data
Data import is easy and anyone familiar with this type of project planning applications should not find it a problem. For beginners resource input will always present some problems, but trial and error should sort these out. Data can by exported to xls either the whole data or through reports, for manipulation. One of the annoying aspects of some planning software and versions of MS Project was the default setting for resource hours on the task duration which was Effort Driven resulting in the duration changing when the hours changed. In RationalPlan I am pleased to say that the default is Fixed Units, the changes which do not have an impact on the duration. Customer support I have found is excellent having used it several times. I would not hesitate in recommending RationalPlan as a planning software to Linux users.

Project management done absolutely in right way

Pros:

RationalPlan makes it possible for us to manage the projects that we run inside the company in the most optimal way.

Cons:

RationalPlan is so successful so far and I do not have anything negative that worth to write here.

Not at all bad for small projects but I am still searching for "the one"!

Comments: As a sole-trader consultant I have been searching for an app that enables me to plan and manage projects that sometimes involve other consultants but sometimes just involve me and a whole load of people who are research subjects. After being led close to suicide by some other PM software (too complex, too "techie", only suitable for people who have nothing else in their lives!) I tried the add-on version of Rational Plan for Google docs and was impressed. So I bought the standalone Multi-Plan version. It worked very well for those projects where there was a good expectation of the steps laid out at the outset actually being the ones that were followed when the project started! The support from the team was excellent and my overall experience was good and I would recommend it to people who are actually running "manageable" projects. Having used it I realised that much of my work does not really fall into this category and, in much of what I am doing , the steps only emerge from the previous steps. In this case, the program is not very useful but I think that would be the case with any PM software I used. My dream is to have a single screen dashboard for all the components of Outlook so that I can see at a glance for a single project who is involved in it and in what capacity, that tasks that they have to do and the timescale, the e-mails associated with the project and the calendar entries for upcoming actions. It is really a cross between PM and CRM. Rational Plan comes close to the PM side of it.

Very good project management software for the Mac OS

Pros:

It is easy to work with. I can import MS Project files easily and work with them. Easy to setup project. It is also easy to integrate and manage multiple projects. Scheduling and tracking of tasks is also a plus with this product.

Cons:

The inability to save straight out to MS Project format is an issue. I also have had issues with report and email templates. Updates frequently are not "flushed out" before they are released which sometimes breaks basic features temporarily.

Everyday essential tool

Comments: Rational plan has helped to transform the way that we run our manufacturing operation. Our facility has a real mix of make to order and long term forecast demands being placed on equipment. There are several additional and variable constraints that make capacity planning software consistently fail. To overcome any lack of visibility from failing to plan we have found no greater tool than the simple flexibility, and ease of use that comes with Rational Plan.

Pros:

Ease of use

Cons:

The ability to lose information when closing down

My Digital Right Hand

Comments: I publish a lot of digital projects. They require detailed planning and ensuring that all the steps are followed. I would be lost without my RationalPlan software, which allows me to first plan the work, and then work the plan time and again successfully.

Pros:

Ease of use, and ability to have more than one project plan.

Functional, Complete, In Depth, Project Management Software. Very Nice

Comments: This is a full featured easy to use Project Management software that helps create a WBS and assign/track resources.

Pros:

Rational Plan software is Great! It has Portfolio Management, Dashboard, WBS, Gantt View, and much much more. It has a downloadable Desktop view that syncs with the cloud version. It is very easy to set up and get started. The resource section is is very helpful for assigning tasks and managing projects. I also like the budget/cost features. I also love the controlling feature and work tracking features. I think this software is excellent

Cons:

One think I would like to see is the option to use a graphic (Mind Map) view of the WBS. The other item I would like to see is a section for Risk Management.

Good Software

Comments: I have been using this software to develop project plans for my business...its ease of use and its functional capabilities make it a great tool to develop complex (and even simple) project plans and over all management of planning an budgeting. I would highly recommend this software to anyone who wants an alternate to microsoft.... I have been using project management software since 1983 (CPM or critical path project management software even before microsoft project).

Pros:

its a great low cost project management tool...

Cons:

You should have some prior project management experience to better take advantage of all of the powerful features of this product.

Rational Scheduling

Comments: Does everything I need it to. Does whatever I would be using Micro$oft Project to do but at a price that anyone can afford.

Pros:

Does what I need it to. Has the functionality of what I'd use MS Project to do.

Cons:

Inability to save directly to native MS Project file format.

Rational Plan Review

Comments: I have been a paid user of rational plan for a number of years. My experience has been nothing but positive. It's more than a cheaper alternative to Microsoft project. It goes almost you're to toe with it. The interface is still not as polished, but they keep improving and their customer service is spot on. I really recommend it to those needing project planning power but want better value for their money.

Pros:

Easy to use. Mimics most of features of Microsoft Project. Great customer service. Good export options.

Cons:

Interface still need work in terms of user friendliness.

Good management tool

Comments: Good management plan, easy to convert to other platforms.

Pros:

Very easy to set up, and start building up Gantt timings.

Cons:

Needs a "facelift", needs to be refreshed, make it more "interactive" (drag and drop functionality).

Super easy

Comments: I can't belieave how super easy it is to plan out complex projects with this powerful software! I use it for all my projects!

Pros:

Ease of use.

Cons:

Not a lot of functions and ability to customize the layout.

Excellent

Comments: The Rational Plan software is easy to use with a little trial and some questions to support staff. My experience with the RT Support Staff is 1000% based on 100% being perfect. I have a very old Mac that lost its hard drive. When I tried to download RT to the new hard drive it would not load the latest version due to the age of my OS. They went out of their way at no additional expense to me to find a solution that would work on my computer and downloaded it to me --- and they did a special for me to download the latest version. AWESOME SERVICE!!!

Better than MS Project

Comments: I'm a Mac user and I needed software to create a Gantt Chart for a project. There is no MS Project for Macs, so I tried Rational Plan. I am very pleased with RP's ease of use. and interface. It took ten minutes to learn to use it.

Pros:

Works with Macs and it is easy to learn how to use it.

Excellent for medium size project

Comments: Rationalplan I found very useful to track medium sized projects, e.g. when you set up a new production plant and plan for the scheduling of validations and training of people. Easy to align with other project managers and teams e.g. to transfer products from development into production. Interchangeable with other project software you find in different companies. Easy to track different speeds of teamwork. Great software and excellent value for money!

Pros:

Graphical overview, easy to learn.

Easy to use

Comments: I use it to develop work schedule for my company.

Pros:

It is very easy to use, even as a novice. You can also add your company logo in the heading of the printout.

Cons:

I don't have any contrary opinion, for now

Rational Plan

Comments: I like rational plan. The price is very good compared to some of the other project management software options. Be aware that there is a lot of manual entry that needs to be done in order for it to work for you, but once that is complete it works great.

Pros:

Price and ability to create quality timelines

Cons:

A lot of manual entry especially at the beginning of a project.

Complete tool

Comments: Rational Plan is a powerful tool for project management, with many features like Gantt Chart, resources allocation, priorities e risks. Complete!

Pros:

Many features

Simple and highly accurate schedule creation application

Comments: It is a very powerful tool for individual to medium sized schedule management and WBS management.
A wonderful point can be modified very smoothly and can be done very smoothly.
Printing is also beautiful and it is excellent as handout materials.
It is the point that it is easier and easier to read materials than anything else.

Good project manager

Comments: I am not sure project managers as I have seen them is what I am actually looking for . However, of all I have looked at I do like Rational Plan. It has a lot of features well laid out, nice facebook page and decent online manual.

Pros:

Nice layout and features

Cons:

None

RationalPlan is a very convenient alternative to the more well-known project planning software.

Comments: RationalPlan is so intuitive that I have never had need for customer support since purchase. More effort needs to be put into advertising this software so that more people become aware that they have an alternative to the more well-known software packages which may be too expensive for an individual user. Functionallity is superb.

Pros:

Ability to read some common files generated by other common project planning software

My feelings on RatioalPlan

Comments: I moved from Microsoft MS Project to Rational Plan because I migrated to MacBook Pro and it was easy to install under OS. I found the Rational Plan very similar to MS Project and very friendly to sue. Kind regards José