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).
Fields in bold are required.
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
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).
- 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
- Create a database with the structures of NB Project;
- Create the project and the manager of the project;
- Manager:
- Add all the tasks of planning;
- Add all roles and define their permissions;
- Add all the resources of the project and assign a role to it;
- Assign the resources that performs each task;
- Resource:
- See their tasks;
- And the measure that perform its tasks, reports its progress;
- When a change is made in the project, all open projects are updated and informed on the screen;
- 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. 
