As you start to build your schedule and create relationships between different items, the Gantt chart will automatically set successors to begin after their predecessors. We’ll cover more on how these can be adjusted.

There are two ways dependencies can be created:

You can quickly create dependencies and create a predecessor/successor relationship right from the schedule by dragging a line between the items.

You can also add and change successors directly within an item in the scheduling menu.

Every item in BuildBook that can have a due date includes a "Schedule" section where you can manage the following:

1. What Phase an item belongs to

2. Predecessor of the item - Creating a relationship between two items using the Scheduling Menu is done by opening the item that you want to be the Predecessor and using the Successor dropdown to choose what item in the Schedule should start after the Predecessor finishes.

If there is already an existing dependency, click the name of the Predecessor to open up that item and adjust the dependencies as needed directly from the Predecessor.

3. What Successors belong to the item

4. Minimum Lag for the item (here’s a recap on using Minimum Lag aka lead time)

5. Ability to Manually Schedule the item (here’s a quick overview of Manual Scheduling)

As you start creating dependencies, you can add multiple successors and predecessors to illustrate the precise order of activities in your timeline.

Multiple items can be connected to a single successor. For example, if a Task for Paint can’t begin until other tasks are completed like Scaffolding, Pressure Washing, and Trim Repair, you can set multiple predecessors by dragging the arrows between activities.

You can also see all predecessors that a successor is dependent on by opening the item. In this case, opening the Paint successor shows all three predecessors in the Scheduling menu. Each one can be clicked to see more details or remove Paint as a successor.

Now, whenever any of the predecessors for Paint are delayed, the Paint Task due date will adjust accordingly.

Alternatively, if there are multiple activities that all begin after a single task is completed, you can use multiple successors to illustrate the order on the timeline.

You can create multiple successors the same way other dependencies are created, either by using drag and drop or by opening the predecessor and clicking the “Add More” link below each Successor.

For example, if Insulation, Drywall, and Tile can’t begin until Inspection, you can make all three Tasks dependent on Inspection so that if the dates for Inspection shift, all three Tasks will adjust.

On the schedule you may see the following activities if there are due dates set:

Tasks and Phases are the only activity types that will allow you to connect together as dependencies. Selection Categories, Payments and Change Orders all will appear on your schedule but will not be able to created as dependent items. If you are waiting for a Selection to be chosen, a payment to be made or a Change Order to be approved to move forward with the schedule, consider creating an additional Task for those items with the specific information of what needs to be decided.

Dependencies can be removed by opening the item and clicking the trash can icon next to the successor you'd like to remove.

Successors can be removed by clicking the trash can icon to the right of the item.

If an item has a Predecessor, click the name of the Predecessor in the Scheduling menu, which will take you to that item. From there, you can remove the Successor.

First, open the item, then click the "x" next to the Phase in the Scheduling menu. You can also choose another Phase from the dropdown menu.

To add an item to a Phase, open the item and choose which Phase you'd like from the dropdown.

Next up

Schedule: Gantt View

Add key Tasks to your project