Adjust project options
In iTaskX you can set a lot of different options and defaults for your project.
To adjust project options, choose „Edit” > „Project Options…” in the menu bar or use the
toolbar icon.
The „Project Options” sheet contain the following categories:
Schedule
- New tasks
Specifies the default start date for new tasks as they are entered in the current project. Select „Start on Project Start Date” to start new tasks on the project start date as specified in the „Project Information" inspector. This is the default setting. iTaskX sets an „As Soon As Possible” constraint on these tasks. If you choose „Start on Current Date”, a „Start No Earlier Than” constraint is set for new tasks using the current date option. The current date you can also define in the "Current Date" field of the „Project Information" inspector. - Default Task Mode
Specifies the default task mode for any new tasks. iTaskX has traditionally been its ability to recalculate task schedules when you change the project start date or a change to one task’s schedule affects one or more linked tasks („Automatically Scheduled” tasks). This powerful behavior saves you from having to rethink and reenter dates to rescheduled tasks throughout the project. But flip sides to the benefits of automation always exist, and in the case of project scheduling, automatic scheduling can lead to unwanted schedule changes based on software behavior and not on human expertise. If you want maximum control over your tasks, use the „Manually Scheduled” task mode. The task mode can also be changed in the „Automatically Scheduled” column for each task. - Default Task type
Specifies the default task type for any new tasks. The task type determines how iTaskX recalculates the three related fields (Work, Duration, and Units) when one of them is edited.
Tasks can require a fixed amount of time to complete (Fixed Duration), a specific amount of resources to complete (Fixed Units), or a set amount of work to be done (Fixed Work). The default setting is „Fixed Units”. - Duration is entered in
Specifies the unit of time (minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months) used by default in the „Duration” field. iTaskX uses this time unit if you do not enter a time unit when you first type a value in the „Duration” field in the current project. Time units for previously entered durations do not change. The default setting is „Days”. - Work is entered in
Specifies the default unit of time (minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months) used in the „Work” field in the current project. iTaskX uses this time unit whenever it displays work values, regardless of the unit used to enter the work. The default setting is „Hours”. - New tasks are effort driven
Specifies that new tasks are scheduled such that the work on the task remains constant as you add or remove assignments. Assigning additional resources to a fixed-units effort-driven task, for example, shortens the task duration while removing resources lengthens it. If this check box is cleared, adding or removing resource assignments on a fixed-units task has no effect on task duration. By default, this check box is selected. - Show that tasks have estimated durations
Displays a question mark (?) after the duration unit of any task with an estimated duration. By default, this check box is selected. - New tasks have estimated durations
Specifies that all new tasks have estimated durations. - Tasks will always honor their constraint dates
Indicates whether this feature is enabled or disabled. - Update Manually Scheduled tasks when editing links
Indicates whether this feature is enabled or disabled. - Keep tasks on nearest working day when changing to Automatically Scheduled mode
Indicates whether this feature is enabled or disabled.
Calculation
- Default fixed costs accrual
Specifies how iTaskX sets the fixed cost accrual for new tasks. Fixed costs can be accrued at the start of a task, prorated throughout the duration of the task, or accrued at the end of a task. The default setting for this topic is „Prorated”. - Default standard rate
Specifies the standard pay rate for new resources. The default setting is $ 0/h. - Default overtime rate
Specifies the overtime pay rate for new resources. The default setting is $ 0/h. - Tasks are critical if slack <=
Specifies the number of days of slack iTaskX uses to determine critical tasks. If the number of slack days for a task is less than or equal to the number you specify here, the task is considered critical. By default, critical tasks are defined as those having a slack of 0 days.
Calendar
- Hours per day
Defines the number of hours that you want iTaskX to assign to a task when you enter a duration of one day. For example, by default iTaskX assumes that you want a duration of one day to equal 8 hours. If you enter a duration of two days for a task with the default settings, iTaskX would assume a duration of 16 hours. If you change the number of hours per day on this tab, it's a good idea to update the Project-Calendar to match. The default setting is „8”. - Hours per week
Specifies the number of hours that you want iTaskX to assign to a task when you enter a duration of one week. For example, by default iTaskX assumes that you want a duration of 1 week to equal 40 hours. If you enter a duration of 2 weeks for a task with the default settings, iTaskX would assume a duration of 80 hours. If you change the number of hours per week on this tab, it's a good idea to update the Project-Calendar to match. The default setting is „40”. - Days per month
Defines the number of days that you want iTaskX to assign to a task when you enter a duration of a month. For example, by default iTaskX assumes that you want a duration of one month to equal 20 days. If you enter a duration of two months for a task, with the default settings, iTaskX assumes a duration of 40 days. This setting also works with the hours per day setting. For example, if a month is equal to 20 days and a day is equal to 8 hours, then iTaskX assumes that a task that requires two months to complete has a duration of 320 hours. The default setting is „20”. - Fiscal year start
Defines the beginning of the fiscal year. This setting is e.g. used in the timeline or can be configured there.
Hint
If you need this settings and other settings as the basis for a new project, you can create a template.
To do this create a blank document, adjust „Project Options”, „Working Times”, „Styles”... and choose „File” (from the „File” menu at the top of your screen) > „Save as Template...”.
