Solutions
solutions overview
PleaseReview is designed to directly support business processes which involve the review of documents, presentations and images either within your own organization or externally in conjunction with clients or partners.
Producing a quality document is a collaborative process which takes time and commitment. Yet the review process, which consumes considerable resources, is frequently identified as the 'road block' in the process.
This is not surprising when standard review processes are analyzed. Take a look at the three typical review practices examined below. Do you recognise your process?
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email isolation |
The document or image is emailed to reviewers who review in isolation. Author receives back comments (eventually) in a variety of formats (emails, edited documents, track changes, etc) and has to consolidate the comments and resolve any differences of opinion. The reviewers don't get feedback. No-one is in control, no-one knows what is going on and consequently no-one is committed. The author does their best and the process continues .... maybe to a conference call.
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teleconference confusion |
The document or image is emailed to reviewers who participate in a conference call. Everyone eventually dials in. Hardly anyone has read the document in advance but there is a bonus - some do have the correct document to hand. Others only work out they are looking at an old version some way into the call. Two participants debate a point at length whilst everyone else attends to their email or lets their mind wander. Attempts are made to agree revisions but it gets too complex and is taken 'offline'. The author revises the document and has yet another conference call. This time no-one can remember why everyone agreed to change a particular paragraph. Someone doesn't like the new wording, its taken offline ... and so 'ad infinitum'.
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review meeting inconvenience |
The document or image is emailed to reviewers who attend a review meeting (electronically or otherwise). Most eventually join the meeting. Hardly anyone has read the document in advance but there is a bonus - some do have the correct document to hand or even better it is displayed there on the screen ready for revision. However, despite the organizer having spent many hours finding a diary window which everyone can make, confirming it and re-confirming it - a couple of key people have something 'come up'. Attempts are made to agree revisions but it needs the key people's input and is taken 'offline'. The author tries to pin down the key people and arranges another meeting ... and so 'ad infinitum'. |
So how does PleaseReview address the problem?
PleaseReview provides a secure, structured and controlled review environment and is unique in that the review takes place in the browser - there are no documents to download and everyone reviews the same document and can see each other's comments. (Note: except for the special case of an 'independent review' where the reviewers don't see each other's comments but the author gets the consolidated view.)
The simple 'point & click' approach allows reviewers to add comments and or reply to other's comments. Each comment can be the start of a discussion thread.
The author remains in control of the review accepting or closing reviewer's comments and, with MS Word, receives a Word document(s) back with all comments, typos and proposed changes in Word 'Track Changes'. For PDF a consolidated PDF with all comments is returned. For other formats a comprehensive, consolidated report is provided.
There is complete status reporting, automatic deadline reminders, the ability to watch a review and an additional optional 'reconciliation report' which provides a review audit trail.
In short, PleaseReview overcomes most of the issues encountered in the review process. There will still be a need to have conference calls and meeting to debate differences and reach a consensus. However, PleaseReview ensures that the 'face-to-face' time is spent on important matters not trivia.
PleaseReview is specifically designed to make the review process less painful, more efficient and significantly reduce the number of review cycles required.
Consider the following examples - we think you will then agree.
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For a high level overview of the PleaseReview process please click here.
What next?
Please request an evaluation, contact us or view a product tour.