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
The Schedule section is turned on by Readybuild. Contact Readybuild support to enable it for your portal.
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