I would like to create a Project Template that has set durations and dependencies for each task. I would like to use the Timeline + Duration columns to automatically generate a schedule based on the set durations and dependencies, but it seems that Timeline only populates when you directly update Duration. Is there an automation I can create to trigger the cascade of Timeline entries based on Duration or based on a status update?
Hello @DTHammond Welcome to the Community!
Yes, you can set up an automation to help create a project template with durations and dependencies that auto-populate the Timeline. Although the Timeline column doesn’t update automatically based solely on Duration and dependencies, you can work around this with the following approach:
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Set Dependencies: First, make sure each task is linked through dependencies. This allows the timeline to adjust if there’s a change in a preceding task’s dates.
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Automation to Trigger Timeline Based on Duration or Status:
- To have the Timeline auto-populate based on Duration, you can create an automation that triggers when the status changes or when the task is ready to start. For example:
- “When Status changes to [Ready/Started], set Timeline to current date + Duration.”
- Another useful automation could be:
- “When Date changes, adjust all dependent items by the same number of days.” This will help adjust downstream timelines if an early task changes.
- Using the Template:
- Once set up, save this board as a template. When you create a new project from the template, you only need to update the start date, and the dependencies and durations will cascade, generating a full project schedule.
This video may also be of intrest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVrU4A36Ffw
Let me know if this helps, or if you need guidance on specific automation recipes to implement this!