Do you know the modern alternatives to using a whiteboard?

A great way of collaborating with a team or presenting a new solution to a client is using a visual display of your recommendations.

Using a whiteboard is a great way of collaborating and brainstorming which works quite well. But a physical whiteboard is a large ugly object that takes up a fair amount of room, often isn’t kept clean, and doesn’t allow for people to collaborate remotely. There are modern alternatives that work even better, let's have a look at them. Scenario: Software consultants often use architecture diagrams to present a solution to the client. These graphical representations are used to help all of the stakeholders, the developers, the designers, and the clients visualize the high-level structure of the system or application to ensure it covers all of the client requirements.

❌ Figure: Bad example - When working with people online, drawing on some paper, taking a photo, and emailing it... is the least collaborative way to work

Figure: OK example - Teams Whiteboard is a good collaborating tool while working online. (Using a pen and touch device provides the best experience, using a mouse is not pleasant)

✅ Figure: Good example - An architecture diagram exists on established projects after many discussions

#1A Casting your screen (recommended - non collaborative) ⭐️

If you are in a situation where you just need to show someone what you are doing then you can use your laptop or iPad and cast it to a monitor or a remote screen.

#1B Teams Whiteboard (recommended for remote collaboration) ⭐️

There are 2 ways to open the Teams Whiteboard:

1. In video chat the Share Icon | Whiteboard
2. In Teams chat window Click + | Whiteboard

#2 Electronic whiteboard alternatives

• Samsung Flip ($3k AUD)

Figure: Samsung Flip can be flipped from horizontal to vertical

• Microsoft Surface Hub 2 (about $12K AUD)

#3 Paper Whiteboard (Low tech – a large piece of paper)

Old school but it is great to have a pen in hand, you can always just grab a big piece of paper and draw on it together.

Bear in mind that paper is not ideal because you can’t wipe it out... you have to start again #ouch

Figure: Paper whiteboards don't work when someone is in Sydney and the other attendee is in Melbourne

#4 Whiteboard and marker - Low tech (ugly)

The traditional whiteboard.

Quote from Adam Cogan (apparently not a fan of whiteboards in a tech office):

I believe whiteboards are a sign of an old office… and they are ugly. They’re not a sign of a modern office. Sometimes they are useful and I know some people really like them (generally older people). I have seen the digital whiteboards (usually targeted at teachers) but I think they are horrible to use. The common scenario is for a Spec Review. I am always happy when I see devs using their device and casting to the TV. And the subsequent notes get saved to Microsoft Teams.

Figure: Whiteboards are not a sign of a modern office

#5 Writable wall - Low tech (ugly)

Low tech (ugly) – Paint a wall to be writable or put some writable film on an office glass wall

Figure: Writable walls can be dirty even after cleaning up

Suggestions for sketching software

There are many apps that allow you to sketch what you're talking about e.g.:

• PowerPoint
• Visio
• OneNote
• Mural (collaborative app)
• Miro (whiteboard app)
• Microsoft Teams Whiteboard
• Microsoft Whiteboard
• diagrams.net (was draw.io) ⭐️ - often collaborative sketches generated above enable the creation of a beautiful architecture diagram (Do you make awesome documentation?)

Note: These work fine with a mouse, they work even better with touch screens, or pens/styluses

Figure: Pens/Styluses help to draw better sketches