Use a Template to create a new project in Portfolio and Package Views by clicking the Add Template button, or select Project Templates from the right-click menu.
| 1 |
Create a new project from a Template # |
Project Templates are a great way to add work fast and maintain uniform project structure. This lesson covers adding and setting up projects using a template. Learn about creating and managing templates in the Templates Collection lesson. See the Duplicate Projects & Create Templates lesson to learn about copying existing projects or turning them into new templates.
There two ways to create a new project from a Template:
- Enter your cursor into the Add Project field to activate the Add Template button and add projects to the bottom of a Package (pictured above)
- Use the Right-click or 3-dot menu and choose Project Templates to insert projects at a specific location within a Package
To add projects you need Project Manager access or higher either at the workspace level, or on the package where you’re adding the project. Defining access by package or project is available on the ULTIMATE plan.
Select Project Templates
When the modal opens select the Templates you need and use Add Projects to create them in the package. Go to TEMPLATE Collection takes you to the TEMPLATES Collection. Close returns you to the Portfolio view without adding anything.
| 2 |
Edit Project Settings and add Target Dates on the Project Edit Panel # |
Just about everything that was set on the template carries over to the new project. The exceptions are Target Dates and Member Access (ULTIMATE Plan only). Right Click on the project folder or use the 3-dot menu and select Edit Project to open the Project Edit Panel and make updates.
Read more to learn about updating the Project Edit Panel after creating a project from a Template . . .
Project Edit Panel
Update the Planning tab with the latest project information. Project Name, Color, Description, Rates and Scheduling Limits are carried over from the Template.
Project Edit Panel Scheduling Tab
On the Scheduling tab, enter Project Target Dates and choose what happens at Finish (keep scheduling or stop scheduling). The Project may not have a schedule at this point. Very often Templates are set up without Task Assignments and possibly even estimates. The schedule will calculate as soon as Tasks are assigned and estimated.
Update other Edit Panel tabs as needed. Information on these tabs carries over from the Template.
Properties: custom data fields carry over from the Template for Organizations on the PROFESSIONAL and ULTIMATE Plans.
Notes: enter project instructions or other information using rich text, images, and links.
Information on these tabs is not carried over from the Template.
Member Access: workspaces on the ULTIMATE plan can set project access by member or group. Keep in mind that access is also inherited from the Package that the project has been added to, so be sure to check access on the Package as well.
Changes: retains history and deleted items up to 90 days for paid accounts and 30 days on the FREE Plan. Template changes aren’t carried over when the project is created in another collection.
| 3 |
Assign and Edit Tasks in Project View # |
Go into Project View to update tasks, add assignments and update estimates so Predictive Scheduling can calculate dates. If your template is set up with estimated tasks that are unassigned (as shown above), open the Task Edit Panel to assign members and resources on the Assignments tab. Click on a task name to open the panel.
Read more to learn about updating a Task Edit Panel after creating a project from a Template . . .
Task Edit Panel
Navigate through the Task Edit Panel to make adjustments. Start on the Scheduling tab and update Assignments so Predictive Scheduling can calculate dates.
Assignments: assign Members and Resources to calculate the schedule.
Scheduling: with assignments in place you can see the schedule dates, including dates inherited from the Project or Package. If the task needs its own Target Dates, set them using +Target Dates and choose what happens at Finish (keep scheduling or stop scheduling). Dependencies linking items within the template will carry over to the new project.
The Changes tab records the last 30 days of task changes on FREE Plans and up to 90 days for paid accounts. Deleted Items are retained for 30 days. Template changes and deleted items are not carried over when the project is added.
| 4 |
Use the Bulk Editor to edit tasks and swap assignments # |
Using the Bulk Editor is the fastest way to update tasks in the new project. Checking boxes to the left of the item name engages the Bulk Editor and reveals the action buttons at the top of the view.
Use Swap Assignments and give unassigned work to your members, resources or placeholders. See the Bulk Edit & and Move lesson for a deeper dive into plan item editing.
