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Editing Task Details

Each task in GlidePath has multiple properties that control its behavior in the schedule. This guide covers all editable fields and two editing methods: in-place cell editing and the Task Detail Panel.

Feature Spec Reference

Module 2.2 — Edit Task
Module 2.6 — Task Fields

Task Detail Panel

The Task Detail Panel (right side of Gantt chart) opens when you select a task. It displays all editable fields: Task Detail Panel The task detail panel with all fields visible and editable.

Core Fields

Name (Required)
  • Task description (1–200 characters)
  • Example: “Structural Steel Installation”
Activity ID
  • Optional unique identifier for the task
  • Useful for linking to external systems
  • Example: “STRUC-001”
Duration (Required)
  • How long the task takes (in days)
  • Automatically converted to hours based on Hours Per Day project setting
  • Can be decimal (e.g., 2.5 days = 2.5 days)
Start Date (Required for ASAP tasks)
  • When the task begins
  • Can be constrained by Constraint Type or dependencies
  • Date picker interface for easy selection
Finish Date
  • When the task completes
  • Auto-calculated from Start Date + Duration (for ASAP tasks)
  • Editable if Constraint Type is set (SNLT, FNLT, etc.)
Progress % (0–100%)
  • Percentage of task completion
  • Used for earned value calculations
  • Visual indicator on Gantt chart bar
Constraint Type
  • Controls how the CPM engine schedules this task
  • Options: ASAP, ALAP, SNLT, SNLT, FNLT, FNLT, MSO, MSF
  • See Constraints Deep Dive for detailed explanations
Constraint Date (if constraint requires it)
  • Date picker for constraints like “Start No Later Than”
  • Only visible when applicable constraint type is selected
Notes
  • Free-text field for task description, instructions, or context
  • Searchable for finding related tasks

Cost Fields

Budgeted Cost
  • Expected cost for this task
  • Used for budget tracking and earned value
Actual Cost
  • Costs incurred so far
  • Updated manually or via integration
Cost Rate
  • Cost per unit (per day, per hour, etc.)
  • Used for auto-calculating cost from progress

Editing Methods

In-Place Cell Editing

Click any cell in the Gantt chart task list to edit directly:
  1. Click the cell
  2. Type or select a new value
  3. Press Enter to confirm or Escape to cancel
Fields editable in-place: Name, Duration, Start, Finish, Progress %, Constraint Type, Notes (limited)

Task Detail Panel Editing

For comprehensive editing with all fields visible:
  1. Select the task (click on the Gantt bar or row)
  2. The Task Detail Panel opens on the right
  3. Edit any field
  4. Changes auto-save (no explicit Save button needed)
Advantages: See all fields at once, better for adding notes or costs, no scrolling in task list.

Task Field Defaults

When you create a new task, these defaults apply (customizable in preferences):
  • Start Date: Today
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Progress %: 0%
  • Constraint Type: ASAP
  • Work Week: Project default (Module 5)

Special Task Types

Summary Tasks (Parent Tasks)

  • Created by indenting child tasks under a parent task
  • Start Date: Auto-calculated from earliest child start date
  • Finish Date: Auto-calculated from latest child finish date
  • Duration: Auto-calculated rollup
  • Cannot be manually edited — dates are driven by children
To create a summary task, create a parent task, then indent child tasks under it (see Organizing Tasks with WBS).

Milestones

  • Tasks with Duration = 0 (zero days)
  • Rendered as a diamond shape on the Gantt timeline
  • Used to mark key dates: project kickoff, phase completion, client review, etc.
To create a milestone, set Duration to 0 when creating the task.

Tasks with Constraints

  • Tasks with a Constraint Type other than ASAP
  • Constraint Date field becomes active for date-based constraints
  • CPM recalculation respects constraint dates
See Constraints Deep Dive for detailed examples.

Next Steps


Tip: Use the Task Detail Panel when adding complex information like notes, costs, or constraints. Use in-place editing for quick updates to name, duration, or dates.