Documenting business procedures is a crucial aspect of the continuous improvement process – coupled with that many activities such as kaizen change events require an element of process mapping and whilst the good old pen and paper are still suitable tools – there is a great range of software for those looking to leverage the additional benefits they bring. Over at Lucidchart.com the guys have developed a feature rich HTML 5 flowcharting application offering some great features and ease of use. We recently got the chance to have a chat with their VP of Business Development – Dave Grow.
Q. So tell us about Lucid Chart
LucidChart is a web-based, collaborative application for drawing flowcharts, mind maps, wireframes, org charts and many other types of diagrams. Built with the latest technology and web standards, we believe LucidChart is an example of how web applications today can deliver a superior experience compared to desktop software.
LucidChart emerged from beta last August and has experienced rapid growth ever since.
Q. What was your background before this venture?
Our CEO Karl Sun came from Google, where he started the China office and led the company’s business development team in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong for several years. He also started Google’s patent and intellectual property departments. Our CTO and co-founder Ben Dilts was formerly the CTO of another successful startup, where he developed one of the leading online health benefits administration platforms for SMBs that was featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.
Q. There are lots of drawing/mapping apps – what singles yours out?
First, we built LucidChart using web standards like HTML5 and Javascript so users don’t have to install additional plugins (e.g., Flash, Java, etc.) that most other apps require. Not only does this provide a faster and smoother experience, but allows access from virtually any device – computer, iPad, smartphone, etc.
Second, LucidChart offers real-time collaboration so many users can work on the same document at the same time, with changes merged instantaneously. Many other applications talk about ‘collaboration’ but lack this critical real-time component.
Third, LucidChart is leading the charge in becoming compatible with other applications. It is the first web application, for example, that allows you to import Microsoft Visio documents.
Q. How crucial do you see diagram/mapping apps for businesses?
A flexible diagramming application like LucidChart is critical for any business. One of the common issues that small businesses face is the lack of standardized processes which can lead to a lower quality product and/or inconsistent service. For medium and large businesses, these processes are likely documented but often need to be reevaluated and redesigned to address the potential bottlenecks. In all of these situations, bringing together the key stakeholders is critical and a collaborative application like LucidChart makes that easy to do.
Q. I loved how the app works on my IPAD was it a concious decision from the start to support mobile devices/tablets
Absolutely. Because LucidChart is built on web standards like HTML5, we knew that we could make it easily accessible across mobile devices like the iPad. We realize that people are ‘on the go’ more than ever and want them to be able to access LucidChart wherever they are. We’ve also customized the iPad experience by adding functionality like drawing common shapes with your finger and will continue to add more features going forward. Check out this example:
Q. Any support for producing Value Stream Maps or other mapping types in terms of icons?
We have a robust set of shape libraries but this currently does not include value stream icons. However, we’ve integrated Google Image Search and IconFinder into LucidChart which gives users instant access to millions of relevant icons. Also, users can upload their own images to complement the hundreds of shapes we offer.
Q. Whats been the feedback from customers?
First of all, we love hearing from customers – it’s one of the best parts of what we do! Our customers come from a wide variety of industries but the feedback is generally the same. They are excited to find a solution that makes it easy to visualize and collaborate on concepts and processes. Recently, the feedback has also been extremely positive with the launch of our Visio import and full functionality on the iPad.
Q. Learning a piece of software is often a real pain – how have you tackled that with LucidChart
When designing LucidChart, we literally looked at every action and every click to determine how we could make diagramming simpler and faster. In fact, a significant portion of our users report that they have never used a diagramming / drawing tool but have no trouble learning LucidChart. With every feature we add, we continue to invest significant time in making it as easy as possible so it’s accessible to everyone – novice or expert.
Q. Any other products in the pipeline?
For now, we’re focused on making LucidChart the premier application for diagramming and drawing. At the same time, however, we’re also excited about the potential to extend the technology we’ve created to address other pain points for our customers.
Q. Where do you see LucidChart going in the future?
We expect LucidChart to continue its rapid growth. Through continued integration with leading platforms like Google Apps and other partners, we are confident LucidChart will become a fundamental part of the workflow for millions of users.
