Use the resource layout to manage tasks throughout their lifecycle. You can add new tasks, update task details, view task information, and delete tasks when they are no longer required.
Use tasks to plan, assign, and track work for resources in the Resource layout. Depending on your scheduling requirements, you can create a standard task, a milestone, or a backlog task. Each task type serves a different purpose and is displayed differently in the timeline.
A standard task is a scheduled work item that has a defined start date and end date. Standard tasks are displayed on the timeline based on their duration and can be assigned to a resource for planning and tracking purposes.
To add a standard task:
In the PowerTable tab, select Add Task. Alternatively, expand Add Task and select Add Task.
The Record Details side panel opens with the Form Editor.
Select Apply.
The new task is added under the selected resource and appears on the timeline based on its start and end dates.
Milestones represent important events, deadlines, or completion points in a project schedule.
To create a milestone:
In the PowerTable tab, expand Add Task and select Insert Milestone. The Record Details side panel opens with the Form Editor.
Select Apply.
The configured milestone is displayed on the timeline. Select Save to Database to save the milestone to the database.
The Start Date field is disabled when you create a milestone because a milestone is represented by a single date rather than a task duration.
A backlog task is a task that is created without a specific Start Date or End Date. It is not scheduled within a particular time period in the resource layout, allowing you to keep tasks that are yet to be planned or scheduled separately. You can assign a backlog task to a time period later by specifying its start and end dates.
To create a backlog task:
Select Add Task. The Record Details panel opens.
Select Apply.
The task is added as a backlog task without a scheduled time period. Select Save to Database to save the backlog task to the database. You can delete or edit the task at any time to assign it to a specific time period by selecting the Edit icon.
If you specify Start Date and End Date when configuring a backlog task, the task is added as a standard task instead of a Backlog Task.
Edit tasks to update scheduling information, resource assignments, or other task details. You can modify tasks using the Form Editor or adjust task dates directly from the timeline. After making the required changes, select Save to Database to save the updates to the destination database.
Use the Form Editor to update task properties such as resource assignments, dates, and other available fields.
To edit a task using form interface:
Select the required task bar. The Record Details side panel opens with the Form Editor.
Select Apply.
The resource layout updates to reflect the changes made to the task.
Use drag handles to quickly adjust task start and end dates directly from the timeline without opening the Form Editor.
To adjust the task timeline:
Hover over the task bar. Drag handles appear at both ends of the task bar.
The resource layout updates the task timeline based on the new start and end dates. You can use this option to adjust task durations or resolve overlapping tasks assigned to a resource.
You can reassign a task from one resource to another or assign a task from (NULL) to a resource to manage resource allocation.
To move a task to another resource:
Drag the task that you want to reassign.
Select Save to Database to save the changes to the database.
The task is displayed under the newly assigned resource. PowerTable automatically updates the Start Date, End Date, and Assignee fields for the task based on the new assignment.
You can delete tasks that are no longer required.
To delete a task:
Select the Delete icon on the toolbar. Alternatively, right-click the required task and select Delete.
The task is removed from the assigned resource.
The Record Details side panel provides additional information about a selected task through the Effort and History tabs. Use these tabs to review estimated effort allocation and track changes made to task records.
The Effort tab displays estimated effort details for the selected task and shows how the effort is distributed across the task duration.
To view effort information:
In the Record Details side panel, select the Effort tab.
The Effort tab displays:
The effort allocation summary displays the calculated effort allocated per day based on the task duration and total effort.
When the Total Effort value is updated, the allocation summary is recalculated to display the average effort allocated per day across the task duration.
For example:
The History tab displays an audit trail of changes made to the selected task.
To view task history:
In the Record Details side panel, select the History tab.
The History tab displays:
Use the History tab to review task updates and track changes throughout the task lifecycle.
You can also:
Use Audit logs to track and review changes made to the task. For more information, see Audit logs.
