Managing Schedules
Learn how to create, configure, and manage project schedules in Readybuild.
Overview
A project can have multiple schedules, each serving different purposes:
- Production schedules for construction work
- Design schedules for design phase tasks
- Custom schedules for any other tracking needs
Creating a New Schedule
From the Schedule Tab
- Navigate to your project
- Click Schedule in the project navigation
- Click New Schedule
- Complete the schedule form
- Click Save
Schedule Form Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Internal reference name for the schedule |
| Type | Production, Design, or Other |
| Start Date | When the schedule begins |
| Description | Optional notes about the schedule |
| Template | Optional schedule template to apply |
| Client Viewable | Allow customers to see this schedule in the portal |
| Show Macro Schedule | Include in macro schedule view |
Schedule Types
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Production | Main construction/production schedule with tasks and milestones |
| Design | Design phase tasks, reviews, and approvals |
| Other | Custom schedules for permits, inspections, or other tracking |
Using Schedule Templates
Schedule templates pre-populate tasks with standard durations and dependencies.
Applying a Template
- When creating a new schedule, select a Template
- Set your project Start Date
- Save the schedule
What Templates Include
- Pre-defined tasks with names and descriptions
- Task durations (in business days)
- Dependencies between tasks
- Default colors and settings
- Role-based owner assignments
How Dates Calculate
When applying a template:
- The template defines task offsets (e.g., "Task A starts on Day 1, Task B starts 5 days after Task A")
- Your start date becomes Day 1
- All task dates calculate automatically using business day offsets
- Weekends and holidays are skipped in calculations
Adjusting After Template Application
After applying a template:
- Modify individual task dates as needed
- Add or remove tasks
- Adjust dependencies
- Assign specific team members
See Schedule Templates for creating templates.
Editing Schedules
Accessing Schedule Settings
- From the Schedule tab, select the schedule from the dropdown
- Click the Settings or Edit button
- Modify schedule properties
- Save changes
Editable Properties
- Schedule name
- Description
- Client viewable setting
- Macro schedule visibility
The schedule type cannot be changed after creation.
Multiple Schedules
Why Use Multiple Schedules
- Separate design and production phases
- Track different workstreams independently
- Assign different visibility settings
- Organize complex projects
Viewing Multiple Schedules
Use the schedule dropdown to:
- Full-schedule: View all schedules combined (read-only)
- Select individual schedules to view and edit
Combined View Limitations
The "Full-schedule" view:
- Shows all tasks from all schedules
- Is read-only (no editing)
- Useful for overall project overview
- Tasks display with schedule identification
Client Portal Visibility
Making a Schedule Client-Viewable
- Edit the schedule settings
- Enable Client Viewable
- Save changes
What Customers See
- Read-only Gantt chart view
- Task names, dates, and progress
- Dependencies between tasks
- Milestones and phases
What Customers Don't See
- Internal notes
- Resource assignments (unless configured)
- Schedules not marked as client viewable
- Edit capabilities
Best Practices for Client Visibility
Show:
- Major project phases and milestones
- Key dates customers need to know
- Inspection and approval points
- Project completion targets
Hide:
- Detailed internal sub-tasks
- Resource-specific assignments
- Internal deadlines
- Sensitive planning information
Deleting Schedules
How to Delete
- Select the schedule from the dropdown
- Click the Delete or trash icon
- Confirm deletion
What Gets Deleted
- The schedule itself
- All tasks within the schedule
- All dependencies within the schedule
- Change history for the schedule
Deleting a schedule cannot be undone. All tasks and history are permanently removed.
Permissions
Deleting schedules requires the appropriate permission level. Contact your administrator if you cannot delete schedules.
Team Assignments
Assigning Task Owners
Each task can have:
- Owner: Primary team member responsible
- Subcontractor Role: External contractor assignment
How Assignments Work
- Edit a task in the Gantt chart
- Select an Owner from the team member dropdown
- Optionally assign a Subcontractor Role
- Save the task
Template-Based Assignments
When using templates with role-based assignments:
- Templates define roles (e.g., "Project Manager", "Lead Carpenter")
- When applying the template, roles map to actual team members
- Based on project team assignments or defaults
Business Day Calculations
How Business Days Work
The schedule system uses business days:
- Monday-Friday are working days
- Saturday-Sunday are non-working days
- Holidays are non-working days
Impact on Scheduling
| Scenario | Result |
|---|---|
| Task ends Friday, 3-day duration | Ends Wednesday (next week) |
| Dependency with 2-day lag over weekend | Lag counts only business days |
| Task spans a holiday | Duration extends automatically |
Configuring Holidays
Holidays are managed in Admin > Calendar > Holidays:
- Add company holidays
- Set recurring annual holidays
- Regional holiday support
Macro Schedule
What is the Macro Schedule?
The macro schedule provides a high-level view across multiple projects:
- Shows production schedules marked for inclusion
- Displays key milestones and phases
- Useful for company-wide planning
Including a Schedule
- Edit the schedule settings
- Enable Show Macro Schedule
- Save changes
Accessing Macro Schedule
The macro schedule is accessible from the main Calendar area, separate from individual project schedules.
Troubleshooting
Schedule Not Saving
- Check required fields are completed
- Verify you have edit permissions
- Ensure valid date selections
Template Not Applying Correctly
- Verify the template is active
- Check the start date is valid
- Review template configuration in Admin settings
Tasks Not Calculating Dates
- Verify the schedule has a start date
- Check for circular dependencies
- Review holiday settings
Can't See Schedule in Portal
- Confirm Client Viewable is enabled
- Verify customer has portal access
- Check portal configuration settings
Related
- Gantt Chart Overview - Visual timeline editor
- Task Management - Creating and editing tasks
- Dependencies - Linking tasks together
- Using Templates - Create schedules from templates
- Activities View - List view of scheduled items
- Calendar View - Calendar interface
- Schedule Templates - Create templates (Admin)
- Holidays - Configure non-working days (Admin)