Startable Fixed Start and Due Date Tasks
Having a fixed start or due date defined for a task does not mean the task can start before its predecessors have completed.
Fixed Start Time will affect the predicted completion time of the runbook and if a tasks has a fixed start time, it will be locked until the fixed start time has been met even if the predecessors completed ahead of the start time.
Tasks with due date and no duration (e.g Checklist task) will not affect the forecast runbook end timing.
Adding a Fixed Start or due date to a Task
Fixed Start
The fixed start time is automatically enabled for ALL tasks that have the “add fixed start time” option available in the task detail panel. Tasks with a fixed start time configured will have the letter “F” followed by the time on the left hand side of the tasks icon.
To add or change the fixed start time, click on the task to open the task detail pane on the right and the check the box "Add a fixed start time?" then add the timing, the click save to schedule it.
For more details on fixed start time, please visit the article Fixed Start Time
Due date
The due date is available for the task type, for example, the default checklist tasks, then “add a due date” option will be available in the task detail panel. Tasks with a due date configured will have the timing at the far right of the task, before the assignee icon.
To add or change due date, click on the task to open the task detail pane on the right and the check the box "Add a due date?" then add the timing, the click save to schedule it.
If the task fixed start is in the future this will be displayed as a black F, however if the fixed start is in the past due to a delay, and the defined fixed start time is now before the planned start, this will be displayed as an orange F. The new planned start time of the task will also be displayed, which will continue to update until the task has started.
Where a delayed task has been caught up and is now due to be on track, the orange F will then change back to a black F icon, indicating that this Task is now back on track.
Note: Whilst in planning mode, the fixed start time is the duration from the start of the runbook and not the start time of the task e.g. when planning a runbook and adding a fixed time of 11:00 is 11 hours from then the runbook is scheduled and not 11am.