Batch Job/Flow Dependency Diagram

[Flubster]

I'm looking for any ideas that would help how we can document batch jobs and flow dependencies.

We're currently using MS Project to list all batch jobs and their dependencies within flows. Flows will have dependencies on other flows (as well as time and external file triggers).

I'm using LSF to build the flows themselves, but MS Project is better for documenting the dependencies, adding the duration of each job and then displaying expected start and end times.

Problem is, this approach requires everyone in the team to have MS Project and there aren't enough licenses to go round.

I'm therefore looking for suggestions of other tools that may do this sort of thing (and, let's face it, using MS Project for this type of thing is a bit of an overkill).

TIA...

[Spacecadet]

there must be a UML model for this!

Seriously though, modelling this in Visio and importing to word or saving as a pdf should be relatively easy.
You can use a TimeLine shape to give a sense of time to the flowchart showing where the time triggers are
File or other triggers can be modelled with a connector adding notes as required

[Ardesco]

Try http://www.plantuml.com

[Spacecadet]

Took 2 minutes to knock up an example in visio:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1630056/visio-flow.pdf

[Flubster]

there must be a UML model for this!

Seriously though, modelling this in Visio and importing to word or saving as a pdf should be relatively easy.
You can use a TimeLine shape to give a sense of time to the flowchart showing where the time triggers are
File or other triggers can be modelled with a connector adding notes as required

Client is in the same situation with Visio as they are with Project. I hadn't looked at Visio though, so will give it a whirl later....

[lilelvis2000]

A quick google could find you an online tool. If you're looking for something basic it could do the trick.

[Flubster]

A quick google could find you an online tool. If you're looking for something basic it could do the trick.

You're right, but I was hoping maybe someone could suggest something they had used and could recommend.

After a bit of Googling, I've found:
Download GanttProject and
Download OpenProj - Project Management from SourceForge.net

After a few minutes playing around, both look like they could do the job, are free and opensource. OpenProj may be the winner out of the two, but happy to lean towards recommendations...

[Sysman]

Client is in the same situation with Visio as they are with Project. I hadn't looked at Visio though, so will give it a whirl later....

I am not surprised.

Viso Standard 2010 - £229.99
Visio Pro 2010 - £499.99
Visio Premium 2010 - £899.99

To think that before MS got their hands on it, I could have bought it for relative peanuts... (though that version almost certainly wouldn't work with current OS releases).