Plan Tasks

Tasks are the operational planning units. Some dialogs may still use Activity labels; this help uses task for the planning object.

Workflow

  1. Create tasks in the Gantt chart or task table.

  2. Enter name, duration, and responsible planning context.

  3. Use fixed dates only for real external constraints.

  4. Maintain task properties only where they affect planning decisions.

  5. Review the table for missing durations and accidental fixed dates.

Ways to create tasks

  • Use Start > Activity when you want to add tasks in the table.

    Create a task from the Start menu

  • Draw a bar directly in the Gantt chart when start, finish, and duration should be defined visually at the same time.

  • Use the Gantt chart context menu command New activity when the task should be inserted at a specific position in the chart.

    New activity command in the Gantt chart context menu

Planning guidance

Use the task name for the work result, not for a comment or status note. The task should be concrete enough that another planner can assign a duration, dependency, and resource demand. If the work cannot be scheduled or assigned, it usually belongs in a note, a milestone, or a higher-level subproject description instead.

Task properties

Open the task properties when a table edit is not enough. Use the properties to check dates, duration, constraints, progress, links, assigned resources, and additional task data.

General task properties

Use fixed dates only when the task is constrained by an external appointment. For normal scheduling logic, dependencies are usually easier to maintain and explain.

Check the result

  • Tasks have realistic durations.

  • Date constraints are intentional.

  • The schedule can recalculate when dependencies change.

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