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Timeline & Gantt

Timeline & Gantt

Visualize your project schedule and manage dependencies.

Accessing Timeline View

  1. Open your project
  2. Go to Stages tab
  3. Click Timeline or Gantt view toggle

Understanding the Gantt Chart

What You See

The Gantt chart shows:

  • Horizontal bars - task duration
  • Arrows - dependencies between tasks
  • Milestones - key dates marked with diamonds
  • Today line - red vertical line showing current date

Reading the Chart

ElementMeaning
Blue barsScheduled tasks
Green barsCompleted tasks
Red barsOverdue tasks
Gray barsTasks on hold
DiamondMilestone
ArrowDependency link

Navigation

Zooming

Change the time scale:

  • Day - detailed daily view
  • Week - weekly overview
  • Month - monthly summary
  • Quarter - high-level planning

Use the zoom controls or scroll wheel to adjust.

Scrolling

  • Left/Right - navigate through time
  • Up/Down - scroll through tasks
  • Drag the chart to pan

Today View

Click Today button to jump to current date.

Working with Tasks

Adjusting Dates

Drag task bars to change:

  • Left/right edges - adjust start/end dates
  • Entire bar - move task while keeping duration
  • Changes save automatically

Creating Dependencies

Link tasks that depend on each other:

  1. Hover over a task bar
  2. Click the dot on the right edge
  3. Drag to the dependent task
  4. Release to create link

Dependencies ensure tasks can't start before their prerequisites are complete. The system warns if you create impossible schedules.

Removing Dependencies

  1. Click the arrow between tasks
  2. Select Remove Dependency
  3. Tasks become independent

Dependency Types

TypeSymbolMeaning
Finish-to-StartFSB can't start until A finishes
Start-to-StartSSB can't start until A starts
Finish-to-FinishFFB can't finish until A finishes
Start-to-FinishSFB can't finish until A starts (rare)

Most construction projects use Finish-to-Start dependencies.

Critical Path

The critical path shows tasks that directly affect the project end date.

Viewing Critical Path

  1. Click Show Critical Path
  2. Critical tasks highlighted in red
  3. These tasks have zero slack

Why It Matters

  • Delays to critical tasks delay the project
  • Focus attention on critical items
  • Non-critical tasks have buffer time

Milestones

Mark important dates:

  1. Click + Add Milestone
  2. Enter name (e.g., "Rough-In Inspection")
  3. Set the date
  4. Appears as diamond on chart

Milestones don't have duration - they're specific points in time.

Filtering & Grouping

Filter Options

Show only what you need:

  • By assignee - one person's tasks
  • By stage - specific phase
  • By status - incomplete only
  • By date range - specific period

Grouping

Organize the view:

  • By stage - tasks nested under phases
  • By assignee - grouped by person
  • Flat list - all tasks ungrouped

Printing & Exporting

Print View

  1. Click Print button
  2. Adjust date range
  3. Choose paper size
  4. Print or save as PDF

Export Options

  • PDF - visual timeline
  • CSV - task data for spreadsheet
  • Image - screenshot for presentations

Schedule Conflicts

The system highlights issues:

WarningMeaning
Red barTask is overdue
Orange triangleScheduling conflict
Dashed lineProposed change impact

Resolving Conflicts

When dependencies create impossible schedules:

  1. Review the conflicting tasks
  2. Adjust dates or dependencies
  3. Consider parallel work options
  4. Communicate changes to team
⚠️

Watch for "domino effects" - moving one task can cascade changes through dependencies. Use the preview feature to see impacts before saving.

Best Practices

Building Your Schedule

  1. Start with major stages
  2. Add key milestones
  3. Break stages into tasks
  4. Link dependencies
  5. Assign resources
  6. Review and adjust

Maintaining Accuracy

  • Update task status daily
  • Adjust dates when things change
  • Log delays with reasons
  • Review weekly with team

Next Steps

Team MembersChange Orders