Top 5 Best Chrome Extensions - And Why They Make Your Life Easier

Visually Displaying Qualitative Information by Utilizing the Web’s Best Chrome Extensions

“Confusion and clutter are the failure of design, not the attributes of information.”

- Edward R. Tufte

Edward Tufte’s work focused on visually displaying quantitative information. Over the past several decades, we’ve grown in leaps and bounds with expanding on quantitative measures and how to turn that into a prideful ROI with systems such as Google Analytics and the bevy of other quantitative add-ons for Facebook, Twitter and the like. However, what our generations have been lacking (as client needs have changed drastically), is a good source to display qualitative information visually.

As we are all aware, today’s marketplace is inundated with new methodologies and systems. Your client tells you what they want, but how do you translate that throughout the process, in between the design and development phases? We become overwhelmed with trying to distinguish between what actually works versus what is just advertised really well. To translate this visual aspect, I’ve done some research on some of the more recent extensions available in Chrome that will help make your project easier to manage, translate better (both internally and externally), and more fun – all while making Mr. Tufte so very proud!

5. iMapBuilder

iMapBuilder is one of those niche web browsing extensions. It’s not for every business, but it does some pretty cool stuff. iMapBuilder allows you to create custom maps with pins and details of various locations. I like to use it when mocking up maps for designers. A fun way to get interactive in the social media space is to use iMapBuilder’s crowdsource capabilities. This way, all your Twitter followers can pin their location on your map – telling you where all your product loyalists are from. And yes, there are some quantitative measures there, but the qualitative ones are pretty awesome when it comes to internal use. In fact, while you’re reading this, feel free to add your location to my map!

4. Screen Capture

As any PM knows, capturing what you see on your screen is a necessity in order to properly translate your project needs. Screen Capture is one of those Chrome extensions that I use practically every day. In addition to capturing screen shots, you can also capture the entire webpage – even the part that is not currently displayed on your screen. Although you get the occasional break and you have to redo the screenshot, it’s reliable about 90% of the time.

3. Evernote Web

I think I might be a little obsessed with Evernote. It’s a great way to track and send your conference reports, along with memos and notes from internal meetings. It’s similar to sharing a private video on YouTube – only those who have the link are able to see it. However, you still have the ability to discontinue sharing the link. The best part about it is you don’t have to use the boring formatting that most emails provide, you can schedule reminders, and sort notes by client. The only bad part is that you lose the checkboxes when sending to some email platforms. Eh, you win some you lose some.

2. ScrumMe

For those of us who love a wonderfully-vetted methodology, Scrum is one of the greats. This extension allows you to utilize everything that makes Scrum proficient by creating teams, sprints, to do’s and even move to do’s between projects. If you already have a project management software system such as Active Collab, Microsoft Project, or Basecamp – ScrumMe doesn’t integrate with these programs, but it is a pliable solution as it relates to Scrum.

1. Balsamiq Mockups

This extension is not only productive, it’s fun! Nearly every interactive project requires a wireframe – some being more detailed than others. This little extension allows you to create a wireframe for any web project – even on iPhone. I created a wireframe for an iPhone landing page, and it only took 10 minutes! The Full Screen Presentation mode is a great way to discuss the various parts of the wireframe, whether you’re on a screen share conference call or in a conference room.

There are always other extensions out there that will ultimately make your project management life easier and more productive. Some other Chrome extensions I came across that are worth giving a try are: Pixlr Editor, WorkFlowy, DocuSign, and Ghostery.