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: