Project App User Guide 🟡 BETA

The Project app is a comprehensive project management tool built into General Bots, providing Gantt charts, task dependencies, resource management, and critical path analysis.

Overview

The Project app enables you to:

• Create and manage projects with tasks and milestones
• Visualize timelines with interactive Gantt charts
• Define task dependencies and relationships
• Allocate and track resource assignments
• Calculate critical paths for schedule optimization
• Track progress and completion status

Getting Started

Creating a Project

1. Navigate to Apps → Project
2. Click New Project
3. Enter project details:
   • Name: Project title
   • Start Date: When work begins
   • End Date: Target completion (optional)
   • Description: Project overview

Project Structure

Projects contain:

Project
├── Summary Tasks (Phases)
│   ├── Tasks
│   │   ├── Subtasks
│   │   └── Milestones
│   └── More Tasks
└── Milestones

Working with Tasks

Creating Tasks

Click Add Task or press Enter on the last task row:

Task Types

Duration Formats

Gantt Chart

Navigation

• Scroll: Mouse wheel or drag timeline
• Zoom: Ctrl + scroll or zoom buttons
• Today: Click “Today” to center on current date

Time Scales

Bar Colors

Task Dependencies

Dependency Types

Creating Dependencies

Method 1: Predecessors Column

Enter task numbers in the Predecessors column:

2          → Task 2 must finish first (FS)
2FS        → Same as above (explicit)
2SS        → Start when task 2 starts
2FF+2d     → Finish when task 2 finishes, plus 2 days
3,5        → Both tasks 3 and 5 must finish

Method 2: Drag in Gantt

1. Hover over a task bar
2. Drag from the end connector
3. Drop on another task

Lag and Lead Time

Resource Management

Adding Resources

1. Click Resources tab
2. Click Add Resource
3. Enter resource details:
   • Name
   • Type (Work, Material, Cost)
   • Rate (hourly/daily cost)
   • Availability (percentage)

Resource Types

Assigning Resources

In the Resources column, enter:

John              → 100% allocation
John[50%]         → 50% allocation
John,Sarah        → Two resources
John[50%],Sarah   → Mixed allocations

Resource Views

• Resource Sheet: List all resources with details
• Resource Usage: Time-phased work assignments
• Resource Graph: Visual workload chart

Critical Path

Understanding Critical Path

The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the minimum project duration. Tasks on the critical path have zero float—any delay extends the project.

Viewing Critical Path

1. Click Format → Critical Path
2. Critical tasks appear in red
3. Hover for float information

Critical Path Analysis

Timeline View

The Timeline view provides a high-level summary:

1. Click View → Timeline
2. Drag tasks to add to timeline
3. Resize to set date range

Timeline Features

• Executive summary view
• Milestone emphasis
• Export to PowerPoint
• Shareable as image

Progress Tracking

Updating Progress

Method 1: Percentage

Enter completion percentage (0-100%) in Progress column.

Method 2: Actual Dates

• Actual Start: When work actually began
• Actual Finish: When work actually completed

Method 3: Remaining Work

Enter remaining hours/days to completion.

Status Indicators

Baseline Comparison

1. Set baseline: Project → Set Baseline
2. View variance: View → Tracking Gantt
3. Gray bars show original plan

Reports

Built-in Reports

Generating Reports

1. Click Reports
2. Select report type
3. Choose date range
4. Click Generate

Export Options

• PDF
• Excel
• CSV
• Image (PNG)

Keyboard Shortcuts

BASIC Integration

Creating Projects from BASIC

project = CREATE PROJECT "Website Redesign"
project.start_date = "2025-02-01"
project.description = "Complete website overhaul"

task1 = CREATE TASK project, "Design Phase"
task1.duration = "10 days"

task2 = CREATE TASK project, "Development"
task2.duration = "20 days"
task2.predecessors = task1.id

milestone = CREATE MILESTONE project, "Launch"
milestone.predecessors = task2.id

Querying Projects

projects = GET FROM projects WHERE status = "active"
FOR EACH project IN projects
    tasks = GET FROM tasks WHERE project_id = project.id
    TALK "Project: " + project.name + " has " + LEN(tasks) + " tasks"
NEXT

Tips and Best Practices

Planning

1. Start with milestones - Define key deliverables first
2. Work backwards - From deadline to start
3. Break down tasks - No task longer than 2 weeks
4. Identify dependencies - What blocks what?
5. Add buffer - Include contingency time

Execution

1. Update regularly - Daily or weekly progress
2. Monitor critical path - Watch for delays
3. Rebalance resources - Address overallocation
4. Communicate changes - Keep stakeholders informed

Common Mistakes

Related Topics

• Task Management - Task app integration
• Calendar Integration - Scheduling
• BASIC Reference - Automation keywords