Project Schedule
Customers view the project timeline and milestones through the Schedule section.
Schedule Overview
The schedule page shows:
- Project Timeline - Visual Gantt chart
- Milestones - Key project dates
- Task Progress - Completion status
- Dependencies - Task relationships
Gantt Chart View
Understanding the Chart
The Gantt chart displays:
- Horizontal bars - Task duration
- Timeline - Date scale across top
- Task names - Listed on left side
- Progress - Filled portion shows completion
Reading the Timeline
- Each row represents a task
- Bar length shows duration
- Bar position shows timing
- Colors may indicate status
Schedule Information
Task Details
Each task shows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Task Name | What the work is |
| Start Date | When it begins |
| End Date | When it completes |
| Duration | How long it takes |
| Progress | Completion percentage |
| Assigned To | Who's responsible |
Milestones
Key project dates appear as:
- Diamond markers on timeline
- Special milestone tasks
- Important deadlines
- Completion targets
Viewing the Schedule
Navigation
- Scroll timeline left/right
- Zoom in/out for detail
- Click tasks for more info
- View by week/month/quarter
Task Information
Click a task to see:
- Full task description
- Start and end dates
- Current progress
- Assigned team members
- Dependencies
Understanding Dependencies
Some tasks depend on others:
- Lines connect related tasks
- Predecessor tasks must finish first
- Delays cascade through schedule
What Makes Schedule Items Visible
Client Viewable Flag
Only tasks marked as client viewable appear:
- Staff controls visibility
- Sensitive tasks stay hidden
- Customers see approved items only
Published Schedule
The schedule shows:
- Current planned timeline
- Updated progress
- Adjusted dates if changed
Schedule Updates
Real-Time Information
Schedule reflects:
- Current task progress
- Updated timelines
- Completed milestones
- Adjusted dates
When Schedules Change
If the schedule is updated:
- New dates appear immediately
- Progress updates in real-time
- Customers see current plan
Using the Schedule
Planning Purposes
Customers can use the schedule to:
- Know when to expect work
- Plan around project activities
- Understand project phases
- Track overall progress
Setting Expectations
The schedule helps:
- Answer "when will X happen?"
- Show project complexity
- Demonstrate planning
- Build confidence
Privacy Controls
What Customers See
- Client-viewable tasks only
- General timeline
- Progress indicators
- Milestone dates
What Remains Private
- Internal-only tasks
- Detailed resource allocation
- Cost information
- Confidential planning
Enabling Schedule (For Staff)
Portal Configuration
- Go to Admin → Company Settings
- Find Client Portal section
- Enable Schedule
- Save settings
Making Tasks Visible
To show tasks to customers:
- Open project schedule
- Select tasks to share
- Mark as Client Viewable
- Tasks appear in portal
Best Practices
- Share high-level milestones
- Update progress regularly
- Adjust dates promptly
- Keep schedule current
Schedule Considerations
What to Share
Good items for customer visibility:
- Major project phases
- Key milestones
- Inspection dates
- Completion targets
- Customer decision points
What to Keep Internal
Consider hiding:
- Detailed sub-tasks
- Resource-specific tasks
- Internal deadlines
- Sensitive activities
Common Questions
Why is the schedule empty?
Possible reasons:
- No tasks marked client viewable
- Schedule feature not enabled
- Project schedule not created
- Wrong project stage
Can customers edit the schedule?
No, schedules are view-only for customers. All changes made by staff.
How often does it update?
The schedule updates in real-time as staff makes changes.
Troubleshooting
Schedule Not Displaying
Check that:
- Schedule feature is enabled
- Tasks are marked client viewable
- Project has a schedule created
- Customer has portal access
Tasks Missing
Verify:
- Tasks exist in project schedule
- Tasks are marked client viewable
- Schedule was saved/published
- Filter settings not hiding tasks
Progress Not Updating
Ensure:
- Staff is updating progress
- Changes are being saved
- Browser is refreshing