External Tasks

Information

In PLANTA project, external tasks are one of the three options for representation of dependencies between projects.
- The two other options are: to create direct dependencies between projects and cross-project links
This function allows you to display tasks of another project/program in the schedule of a project/program.
Milestones that are decisive for your own project can therefore be displayed and ensure clarity within the project.

Details

In window 1 of the schedule, external tasks are marked with the symbol in front of the respective record.
The date bar of the external task is also displayed below the time scale.

Note

From a technical point of view, external tasks are links (links with activated External task parameter), but in contrast to the internal or cross-project links, they have no effect on the dates of your own or a dependent project. If one of the projects involved is calculated, the other projects are not automatically calculated as well (cf. Calculation of projects with cross-project links).

The procedure for displaying an external task is identical in project and program schedules.

Right-click on the required task.
Select Insert → External Task from the context menu.
Select the required project/program and the required task from the respective listbox.
- The selected external task is displayed in the schedule of your own project/program.

Bar Legend: External Tasks

Symbol	Meaning	Color	Comment
	Calculated dates of external tasks	uncritical critical	Calc. start and Calc. end of external tasks are calculated by clicking on the calculation button in the toolbar or by selecting the respective menu item. Uncritical means: Total float > 0 Critical means: Total float <= 0 Since in PLANTA project the definition of requested dates on tasks leads to Total float = 0, tasks which do not necessarily lie on the critical path can be critical as well.
	Calculated dates of external summary tasks
/	Milestones/master milestones of the external summary tasks	/ without delay / with delay / with Actual end	Without delay means: Total float >= 0 With delay means: Total float < 0
	Requested dates of external tasks		Requested start and Requested end are defined in the Key dates area in the respective core data module (Project Core Data, Idea Core Data, Proposal Core Data, Program Core Data).