Tutorial: Structure Tasks

Objective

• This tutorial is intended to show first-time users how to structure tasks in PLANTA project.

Please note:

• The screen shots used in this tutorial are mere examples of functions and may differ from the actual layout in the program.

Procedure

• Log in with user R41.
• Create a new project.
• Open the Schedule module.
  • The following query is displayed: Adopt a schedule?
  • Answer the query with No.
• Open the context menu by right-clicking on the project line and select the Insert → Task entry.
  • Enter a name for the task in the Task name field.
  • Save.
• Insert further tasks as shown in the image below.

• Click on the

  

   Generate WBS code button below the project bar to generate the WBS code.
• Result: The WBS code is assigned to the tasks and is displayed in the Task column. Since the tasks have not been structured yet, this is only done by ascending numbering.

• Task x is to be subordinated to Test task.
  • For this purpose, drag Test task x on to Test task with the left mouse button while holding SHIFT.
  • As a result, Test task x (source task) is visualized green and Test task (target task) is visualized blue.
  • Release the left mouse button as soon as the cursor is on Test task. Test task x is moved below Test task.

• Test task y is to be subordinated to Test task as well and is to be positioned below Test task x.
  • For this purpose, drag Task y on to Task x by pressing SHIFT and holding down the left mouse button.
  • A dark blue line is displayed. Pay attention to the line's position. It is to be positioned at the bottom of Test task x and its starting point is to be equal to the starting point of Test task x.

• Result:
  • Test task x is now subordinate to Test task.
  • Test task y is also subordinate to Test task and has been positioned below Test task x.

• Save and click on the

  

  Calculate schedule button in the toolbar.
  • As a result, the WBS code is refreshed in accordance with the predefined structure.
  • The parent Test task is marked bold and therefore visualized as a summary task.
    • A summary task is a task in the structured schedule consisting of sub-tasks which are summarized here. Information on the summary task, such as duration and dates, is determined automatically from the sub-tasks.

• Switch to the WBS module by clicking on the tab of the same name in the Project panel.
• Here, the structure created in the Schedule module is displayed graphically.

• The structure is to be changed: Test task y is to be subordinated to Test task z.
  • For this purpose, position the cursor on the left margin of Test task y: A hand symbol is displayed.
  • Hold down the left mouse button and drag the box to the box of Test task z. Release the left mouse button over this box.

• Result: Test task y is now subordinate to Test task z. However, the old WBS code is still displayed.

• In order to update the WBS code, click on the

  

  Create WBS code button.
• Result: The code has been changed according to the structure.

• Return to the Schedule module in the Project panel. Click on the Update/reset and

  

  Calculate schedule menu item symbols in the toolbar. The new structure and the new WBS code become visible and Task z is visualized as a summary task as well. Result: