Although each workbook is set up with default themes, the look and feel of SLIM-Estimate, SLIM-Control, SLIM-Metrics, and SLIM-MasterPlan workbooks are readily customizable.  

Screen Background

The easiest way to change the feel of your workbooks is to change the background color and style.  To change the background color, go to Tools|Customize Display|Screen/Printer Fonts, Colors, and Symbols…, then go to the Colors & Symbols tab on the right.

Color Start and Color End are important if you want to create a gradient background, like the background in the first image.  A gradient background begins with your specified Color Start color then transforms into your Color Stop color either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally (pictured above).  If you choose the Solid color style, simply select your Color Start.

Graph Background

Like the Screen Background, you can have a solid background or a gradient.  Simply follow the steps above for selecting your colors and styles.

Solutions and Reference Data

It’s tempting to do things that you shouldn’t.  In software development, unrealistic deadlines and changing requirements often lead teams to make counterproductive decisions, such as adding additional staff in order to achieve a deadline.  This not only creates more defects on the current project but also takes resources away from other projects.  

I recently faced a similar dilemma when deciding whether or not to indulge in the holiday treats in the office breakroom.  Should I consume the sugary snacks that taste delicious but have the potential to cause obesity (among other health consequences) or should I eat the banana I brought with me?  Perhaps to me, this internal debate became exaggerated after reading Kidd et al.’s (2013) study and watching the accompanying video on environmental stability and satisfaction.  However, after some thinking, and more indecision on my snack choice, I came to the conclusion that software is like a marshmallow.

After being away from QSM and the software world for three years, I was blown away by SLIM v8.0's dynamic product integration. I knew it was coming, yet I was still impressed by the simplicity and power of analysis promoted by real-time data and tool links across the SLIM Suite that frees managers to focus on the important program issues.

SLIM-MasterPlan is the center of the SLIM Suite product integration.  It improves upon previously existing program management features of aggregating multiple SLIM-Estimate projects and ancillary tasks with two new capabilities: 

• Linking SLIM-Control workbooks to provide real-time project tracking and control at the program level 
• Performing What If analysis at this higher management view to consider a wider range of potential outcomes.

The What If analysis feature is what I want to highlight.

A good personal development coach knows the "power of the question."  Questions lead to discovery, innovation, and action that brings about positive change.  Better questions lead to better answers.  SLIM's power and distinction has always been fast and easy evaluation of the impact of change, and exploring the realm of possible outcomes.  That's what we are doing when we ask ourselves "What If…?" (or our boss asks us - and we better know the answer!).  SLIM's solution logs make it easy to compare estimates, plans, and forecasts to alternative solutions, QSM trends, and your historical project database.