Template Task Repository

Enter a description for this task to be used in the template task list on the Work Package form and docking window.

This can be either a text ID (which does not make much sense for a template task), or a formula (e.g. [ID]+".5") or it can be left blank. If it is blank, DTS will generate an ID for this task when it is inserted into a schedule. If the expression entered here would cause a duplicate ID to be generated when this task is inserted into the schedule, DTS will replace it with a unique sequential numeric ID.

This can be either any text or an expression. This is the name of this task when inserted into the schedule.

This can be either any text or expression. This is the description of this task when inserted into the schedule.

This colour is currently only used when showing the template task in a list.

Select the task type, e.g. Fixed Rate / Fixed Duration / Cyclical / Hammock.

This is the production rate for rate-driven tasks.

This is the duration for duration-driven tasks. It can also be the duration for a rate-driven task (in the absence of a rate being specified or when the rate is specified before the duration in the list on the Fields page of this form).

This list displays all fields that can be set for the template task. You can double-click on a field to add it to the grid on the right-hand side. Alternatively you can select one or more fields with the mouse and click the Insert button to add these fields to the grid on the right-hand side.

 - press this button to show the list of fields categorised according to type (internal, production fields, text fields etc.)

 - press this button to list the fields in alphabetic order. 

Insert - press this button to insert the selected field(s) into the grid on the right-hand side.

This grid lists all fields that is set when this template task is added into the schedule, either directly or via a work package. These fields is set in sequential order from top to bottom. This is important as a field added towards the bottom of the list may cause another field near the top of the list to be overwritten. In some cases this may be desirable, e.g. assume you wish to copy all but one production field from the parent task when inserting the template task into the schedule, and use a different instruction for this one production field. In this case you could insert <All production fields> (with its operation/value/expression) before inserting the single production field that will get a different operation/value/expression.

Note: An expression is based on fields in the parent task, NOT the template task. The parent task is determined by the type of operation used to insert the template task, but it is NEVER the template task itself.

Field - this is the field for which an instruction is being set on how to determine this field's value when inserting the template task into the schedule.

Operation - this is the operation that is used to determine the field's value. It can be Copy from Parent, Use Formula or Use Value. The options available depend on the field selected.

Value - this is only relevant if the operation is Use Value. Enter the value to which this field is set.

 - press this button to move the field up the list. 

  - press this button to move the field down the list. 

The bottom grid lists all formulas/expressions related to the currently selected row in the top grid in the case where the operation is set to Use Formula.

Apply To Primary Tasks - select a task filter that is evaluated when entering this template task to the schedule. The filter is used to determine if the parent task (at the time of inserting this template task into the schedule) conforms to this filter, and if it does, the formula is applicable. You can enter multiple filter/formula conditions, but only the first applicable one is executed.

Formula - enter an expression that will calculate the value of the field to which this filter/formula belongs.

Note: Any fields used in the expression refer to the parent task, NOT the template task.

The name of the resource to be assigned to the template task when it is inserted into the schedule.

For more information, see Creating Resources.

The number of resources assigned to the task.

The number of units cannot be modified for Effort Driven tasks (as this is a calculated value).

The type of the assignment. Assignments can be defined as:

• Driving - the task duration depends on this resource. Effectively the rate of the resource is used to drive the task.
• Required - a set number of resources is required for the duration of the task.
• Effort Driven - the number of resources required is calculated from the task and the resource rates.

The default Assignment Options for resources is set in the Advanced option of the Project Settings screen.

The rate of the resource as assigned to the task.

This rate is set when you create the resource. For more information, see Creating Resources.

If this check box is selected, the rate is determined by the production rate table defined in the resource. For more information, see Creating Resources.