yEd is a free and effective alternative to MS Visio.Visio is a great program for process mapping but it’s expensive and hard to learn. If you want something that is just as good if not better than Visio, then you should be looking at yEd. You might not have heard of yEd. The company that makes it, yWorks, could do a better job of marketing it. Admittedly, like all software, yEd has a few little quirks. However, you can work around most of these by resetting the defaults. yEd for Process Mapping I use yEd in my process consulting work daily. My clients like it because of the price, as well as the features. Sadly, there are no decent tutorials focused on using it specifically for process mapping. What guides there are, are basic and far too general. So, I decided to create my own video tutorials. Originally, I intended to give them just to my clients. I get a lot of requests for software reviews so I decided to make them available to everyone. Like yEd, they are free. All I want in return is your feedback. Free yEd Process Mapping Video Tutorial Course Here is an outline of what I cover:
I am also planning a series on more advanced topics like using yEd to create interactive process maps for an intranet. (So you can finally get rid of all those dusty ring binders with your process maps that nobody ever reads). Sign Up Now You will need to sign up even if you are already a subscriber to the Stay Process Smart newsletter. You should get the first video, “Downloading & Installing yEd” within minutes. The others will arrive at regular intervals. Don’t forget, part of the deal is that you take a moment to send me your feedback and hopefully offer a little constructive criticism. If you like them, please comment. It’s a lot of work to do these and I would be glad to know if you think it’s worth it. Sign up today and get the first installment, “Downloading & Installing yEd”
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Sign up today and get the first install7 Responses to Process Mapping with yEd – Free Video Tutorial Course
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Creating a Process Map from Scratch | Process Street -
August 18, 2016
[…] The best free multi-platform dedicated process mapping tool is yED. Perhaps your organization has installed something like Microsoft Visio, but if not, yED is well worth checking out, as Ian James explains. […]
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Why You Should Bother With Business Process Modeling | Process Street -
February 6, 2017
[…] (Source) […]
Ian I love your yEd and your process improvement videos. They are clear, entertaining and to the point! I am using yEd 3.5.0.2 on a Windows 8 PC and have noticed some inconsistencies between what is demonstrated on your Mac vs. my PC. I do understand it is out of scope to solve the Mac vs. PC ware, but here are a few I have noticed so far:
1. Palette Manager is not available.
2. Mouse Wheel Behavior is not an option under preferences.
3. No BPMN option for Layout
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for pointing that out. It has been a while since I used a PC and I guess I should have checked. (I had to go to a Mac when I went out as a solo consultant, too difficult on your own with a PC).
On the other hand, PCs are so cheap now, I should probably buy one just for these kinds of occasions.
I just found your website and I wanted to let you know that I found your video to be really helpful.
Hey Ian!
Great video. yEd looks like an exceptional alternative to Visio, and just in your video here I’ve learned how to use it, which shows it’s got a good feel to it.
I also write about processes, for Process Street, an SOP / workflow tool. I’ve really struggled to find a blog that explains processes properly, and doesn’t read like it was written by some distant HR manager who understands it so well they make lots of assumptions and can’t explain it! I like how you don’t fill your content with impenetrable jargon.
Anyway, excellent content and I’m happy to find your blog in a sea of substandard process articles.
Hi Ian,
I came across your site doing a Google search. You have a great way of explaining things!
I too use yEd and have found it to be a powerful tool for creating process maps. I have signed up for your yEd 101 Training and am very interested to learn more about posting yEd files online to create a process library.
Thanks again for providing such a great resource!
I’m a fan!