Automated Scheduling
The project template, loaded with deliverables and their durations, serves as a baseline to guide when key milestones are expected and projects may be completed. However, every project has its nuances. Below are use cases, best practices, and ways to adjust the automation to meet your project needs.
Best Uses of Automation:
Projecting Opening Dates: Useful for quarterly or annual budget and resource planning.
Kicking Off a New Project: Helps estimate projected dates and manage resources efficiently.
Example: If a project starts on a Monday, "Deliverable X" will be projected to occur by "Date Y."
Consistent Timelines: Ideal for projects where timelines are predictable and automation can streamline tracking.
Best Practices for Schedule Accuracy during Setup:
Team Review Post-Kickoff:
After project kickoff, review and adjust key schedule variables as a team:Lease negotiation timelines
Work required by the landlord
Permit duration
Adjusting Deliverable Durations:
Update start and end dates using the “Manage Schedule” button within each deliverable.
Managing Hard Dates:
Hard dates, such as possession or opening dates, can be entered using the "Manage Schedule" button. Remove any dependencies to prevent the date from changing. Read more about how to remove dependencies.
Note: Removing a dependency earlier in the project has a larger impact on the overall schedule.
Modifying Dependencies:
Change dependencies as needed using the same edit method but selecting an alternate dependency from the drop down menu. Save your changes.
Schedule Management scenarios post Project Kick Off
Deliverable Completion was managed to the projected dates
This is the ideal scenario, where the deliverable starts and completes as projected by the automation.Action: Click "Start Deliverable," enter the date, and then mark it complete on the actual completion date.
Deliverable Completion was not managed to the projected dates
No Impact on Project Schedule:
Click "Start Deliverable," enter the date, and then mark it complete. A red or green timestamp will indicate whether the deliverable was completed early (green) or past due (red).Impact on Project Schedule:
If changes affect the overall schedule:Update the start and end dates using the "Manage Schedule" button.
Select "Forecast" to review the impact on the schedule.
Notify team members of any significant date changes, particularly those impacting opening dates.
Note: SiteRise has a feature to track opening date changes—contact us if you'd like this feature enabled.
After adjustments, complete the deliverable by selecting "Start Deliverable," entering the date, and marking it complete.
Template Changes:
If trends indicate the need for updates to deliverable durations or timelines, you can adjust the template in the Admin section of SiteRise.
For more details, please refer to the Template Management article.