The Project Timeline Management feature provides a visual representation of project schedules, tasks, and dependencies. Tourism operators can use this Gantt chart format to plan projects, track progress, and manage resource allocation to ensure projects stay on schedule.
Accessing this feature
Go to Projects.
Select the specific project you wish to view or manage.
Within the project's detail page, locate the navigation options and click Timeline View.
How to use it
The Project Timeline Management feature offers an interactive interface for managing your project's schedule. Follow these steps to effectively use its capabilities:
Understand the Interface: Upon opening, the timeline displays tasks horizontally against a calendar timescale. Vertical lines indicate dependencies between tasks. Key components include:
Task List (Left Panel): Lists all project tasks, often grouped by phases or categories, with details like assignee and status.
Gantt Chart (Right Panel): Visual bars representing task durations, milestones, and dependencies.
Timescale: Displays dates (days, weeks, months, years) at the top, adjustable via zoom controls.
Today Line: A vertical line indicating the current date.
Add New Tasks: Click the "Add Task" button or an empty row in the Task List panel. Enter the task name, start date, end date, and assign it to a team member. Optionally, specify a duration, percentage complete, and any notes. New tasks will automatically appear as bars on the Gantt chart.
Modify Existing Tasks:
Reschedule Tasks: Click and drag a task bar horizontally on the Gantt chart to adjust its start and end dates.
Change Duration: Hover over either end of a task bar until the resize cursor appears, then click and drag horizontally to extend or shorten its duration.
Edit Details: Double-click a task bar or its entry in the Task List to open a detailed editing panel, allowing modification of all task attributes including name, dates, assignee, status, and description.
Establish Task Dependencies: Dependencies link tasks, indicating that one task must finish before another can start (or other relationship types). To create a dependency, hover over the start or end of a task bar until a small circle appears. Click and drag from this circle to the start or end of another task bar. A connecting arrow will appear, signifying the dependency. The system supports various dependency types (e.g., Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start), which can be configured in the task's detailed editing panel.
Track Progress: Update the "Percentage Complete" for each task in its detailed editing panel or directly within the Task List. The task bar on the Gantt chart will visually reflect the completion percentage. Marking a task as 100% complete will update its status and often visually distinguish it.
Adjust the Timeline View:
Zoom In/Out: Use the zoom controls (e.g., buttons or a slider) typically located near the timescale to adjust the granularity of the dates displayed (e.g., from days to weeks or months).
Navigate: Drag the Gantt chart horizontally to move through different periods of the project timeline.
Filter and Sort: Use filtering options (e.g., by assignee, status, date range) to focus on specific tasks or project segments. Sorting options can organise the task list by date, priority, or name.
Save and Synchronise Changes: Most changes made within the Project Timeline Management feature are automatically saved and synchronised across the platform, ensuring all team members have access to the most current project schedule. Confirm any explicit save prompts if they appear.
Tips
Visual Schedule Management: Provides an intuitive Gantt chart interface for a clear, real-time overview of all project tasks, durations, and deadlines.
Dependency Management: Allows the creation and visualisation of task dependencies, ensuring logical sequencing and highlighting critical paths.
Progress Tracking: Enables detailed tracking of task completion percentages and overall project progress, offering immediate insights into schedule adherence.
Resource Allocation Visualisation: Displays assigned team members for each task, aiding in workload management and identifying potential resource conflicts.
Milestone Definition: Allows the identification and tracking of key project milestones, providing clear checkpoints for project review and success measurement.
Dynamic Rescheduling: Supports drag-and-drop functionality for easy adjustment of task dates and durations, with automatic recalculation of dependent tasks.
Customisable Views: Offers options to zoom, filter, and sort tasks, allowing users to focus on specific aspects of the project schedule.
Define Scope Clearly: Before populating the timeline, ensure the project scope, objectives, and deliverables are well-defined to create an accurate and comprehensive schedule.
Break Down Tasks: Decompose large deliverables into smaller, manageable tasks. This improves accuracy in duration estimates and allows more precise progress tracking.
Establish Realistic Durations: Assign practical start and end dates for each task. Overly optimistic scheduling can lead to delays and project overruns.
Identify Critical Dependencies: Clearly define all task dependencies to accurately map the project's critical path. This highlights tasks that, if delayed, will impact the entire project timeline.
Regularly Update Progress: Consistently update the completion status of tasks. Timely updates ensure the timeline remains a reliable source of information for all stakeholders.
Use Milestones: Mark significant project achievements as milestones. These serve as crucial checkpoints for progress evaluation and communication.
Communicate Changes: When significant adjustments are made to the timeline, communicate these changes to all relevant team members and stakeholders to maintain alignment.
Review and Adjust: Periodically review the entire project timeline, especially after major phases or unexpected events, to identify potential issues and make necessary adjustments to keep the project on track.
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