The following steps will help you build a Gantt chart schedule quickly and efficiently in JobSiteForecast.
Step 1: Set Cost Types
Click on the cost types filter and select the cost type you want to include in the schedule. For instance, you may only want to schedule the labor phases, or labor and equipment. In any case, this will reduce the number of phases on the screen and make it simpler.
Step 2: Set Columns
Turn the columns on/off so you have the information you need without clutter. Adjust the seam between the grid and canvas.
Step 3: Set FULL SCREEN Mode
This removes all the browser overhead and gives you the maximum amount os screen space to visualize your schedule. Click again or ESC to close full screen mode.
Step 4: Select Phases to Schedule
Double click on the phases you wish to schedule and click SAVE. Do not enter any other information or make any changes. This will put the phase on the canvas and set a duration of 1 day. Do not enter durations or crews sizes. Descriptions come from Spectrum phase codes, but during this step you might want to edit the description for clarity.
Step 5: Remove Unscheduled Tasks
Check the option for "Show Scheduled Tasks Only". This will remove all unscheduled tasks from you canvas so now you only see the scheduled tasks.
Step 6: Add Milestones
Click on the "+" icon to add milestones to your schedule. You might want to add items like:
- Contract Start
- Approvals Complete
- Field Start
- Area A Start
The key here is to add milestones from the GC schedule that control your schedule.
Step 7: Create After ID (Predecessor) Logic
Drag the ends of the task to connect the scheduling logic. Do not over think this, focus on what happens in what order only. Do not move tasks around. Do not group tasks.
Set the milestone dates from the GC schedule.
Important: At this point there should be NO tasks without a predecessor, other than the GC milestones, that have fixed dates.
Step 8: Sort by Start Date
Click on the START DATE header to sort by start date. This will organize all your tasks sequentially by start date. This avoids having to manually move tasks around to get them in the proper sequence. Make sure everything makes sense, and adjust as necessary.
Step 9: Turn On Auto Schedule
This will schedule out all your tasks in sequence.
Step 10: Group Tasks
You may find it helpful at this point to group tasks, however the milestones should provide natural breaks in the schedule, so use grouping conservatively. To group task select the first task in the group, hold shift, select the last task in the group, then click the INDENT icon.
Step 11: Set Durations/Crew Size
Now you can enter the tasks durations or crew sizes. Open each task and enter what makes sense. Some tasks can be naturally defined with fixed durations, other will make more sense to enter a crew size.
Step 12: Review Manpower Loading
At this point you can review the manpower loading, looking for high/low points. You may want to adjust the durations on the tasks to even out the manpower requirements. In other cases, you may want to delay a start for a tasks using the After ID logic.