Use this page to add schedule steps. Schedule steps to be added appear at the bottom of the existing schedule.

The fields available for adding a schedule step include:

• Task Number: This will default to the next sequentially available number. However, it can be changed to any number to position the task appropriately in the schedule.
  
  
• Description: Input the description of the schedule step.
  
  
• CT: Check this box if the step is a critical task.
  
  
• MS: Check this box if the step is a milestone.
  
  
• Priority: Select an option from the pull-down menu. The task priority is used to indicate task importance and sort order in reports.



• Start Date: Input a start date for the step (format: mm/dd/yyyy) or click the calendar icon to choose one.
  
  
• Duration: Input a duration (in days).
• Due Date: Input a due date for the step (format: mm/dd/yyyy) or click the calendar icon to choose one.
  
  Note: You only need to input 2 of the 3 criteria above (Start Date, Duration and Due Date), and it will calculated the 3rd.
  
  
• %: Input the percent complete for the step. Note: This will only appear if the Percent Complete Type is manager inputted data.
  
  
• Subtask: To add subtasks to the step, click the Set link in this column. This will refresh the window with the number of subtask entries requested.

  The checkbox in the Subtask column is used to synchronize the main task with its subtasks. Synchronized main tasks will assume the properties of the subtasks for start date, due date, percent complete, assigned users, and estimated and actual time. If a main task is not synchronized it can have separate and different data than its subtasks. This system allows users to setup their schedule in a multitude of different ways. For example, synchronized main tasks can now be used to define phases. Alternatively, unsynchronized main tasks might be milestones in the future, with the subtasks serving as tasks to complete before the milestone is achieved.
  
  

• Users: To add users to the step, click the Set link in this column. This will launch a popup window. Note: If subtasks are being used and the main task is synchronized, users must be added to the subtasks, and not the main task.
  
  
• Total Estimated Duration of Step: Data cannot be input into this field. The field simply displays the estimated hours added on the step. Adding estimated hours to a step is done when users are assigned to the schedule step.
  
  
• Dependencies: To make the step dependent on another step, click the Set link in this column. This will launch a popup window.
  
  
• Notes: To add notes to the step click the set link. (If a note already exists you'll see the plus icon.) Clicking the set link (or plus icon) will launch a popup window.

When finished, click either the Submit New Tasks (to be redirected to the View Schedule page) or the Submit New Tasks & Add More Tasks button.

Adding Subtasks

Subtasks are associated with specific main tasks. The Task Numbers for subtasks are given extensions of the main step's task number, i.e. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. When you choose to add subtasks, the page will refresh with the subtask fields displayed underneath the main task.

Note: When the subtasks are synchronized with the main task the earliest start date of the subtasks and the latest end date of the subtasks will automatically become the start and due dates of the main task.

The system supports an infinite number of levels for tasks, therefore it is possible to have subtasks under subtasks.

Note: If the Start Date and/or Due Date of any subtask is earlier or later than the Project Start Date and/or Delivery Date, the system will deliver a prompt. The option will be made available to modify the Project Start Date and Delivery Dates accordingly.

User Assignment/Adding Users to Schedule Steps

Adding users to a task and subtask is done the exact same way.

On the popup for adding users to a particular task, the following is available:

• A list of all users assigned to the project.
  
  
• An Availability column which displays the percent available and hours available. Note: Availability numbers can only be provided if a Start Date and Due Date have been input for the task.
  
  
• An Assign column for determining who will be assigned to the task.
  
  
• A Work Type column for selecting the work type each user will be doing. If Default Work Types are set for each user (in the User system) the system will default to those choices.
  
  
• An Estimated Hours column for inputting the number of estimated hours for each user on the task.
  
  
• An Actual Hours column which displays the actual hours worked on the task (up to this point) based on timesheet entries.

When finished, click the Submit Entries button to add users to the task. The popup will close, and you will be returned to the Add Schedule Steps page. The number of users will appear in the appropriate place, along with estimated hours, if any were included.

On this page it is also possible to modify the list of project members, by clicking the add/remove project members link.

Dependencies

In order to set dependencies for a task, the task must already have a Description, Start Date and Due Date. Clicking the Set link in the Dependencies column will launch a popup window.

Vertabase only supports one type of dependency, which is called an FS dependency. It states that Step B cannot start before Step A is finished. The following functional logic issues are important:

1. If Step A is not completed before the Start Date of Step B, the system does not automatically push the Start Date of Step B forward.
   
   
2. If the End Date of Step A is edited past the Start Date of Step B, you will be prompted regarding the dependency. The prompt will ask if you wish to push the Start Date of Step B forward.
   
   
3. If the End Date of Step A is moved back, the system will not move the Start Date of Step B back as well, unless the Start Date of Step B was previously pushed forward due to a dependency shift. The Start Date of Step B will never move back beyond the End Date of Step A as well as its original start date.
   
   
4. If the Start Date of Step B is edited and set to a date earlier than the End Date of Step A, the system will prompt you with an error message that this is not allowed due to the dependency.
   
   
5. If the End Date of Step A is moved forward and shifts Step B forward due to the dependency, the Subtasks of Step B may shift as well. The Subtasks of Step B will shift if their Start Dates are earlier than the new Start Date of Step B.

Note: If Step A is not completed before the start date of Step B, the system does not push the start date of Step B forward. However, if the end date of Step A is edited, such that it goes past the start date of Step B, the start date of Step B will be pushed forward.

The popup window will display all tasks and subtasks that the current task (i.e. the one you are working on) can be dependent on. To set a dependency, use the checkboxes next to the task descriptions and click the Submit button.