Workflow logic is the set of dependency relationships between the individual tasks, which make up a work stream. In other words, the workflow logic is the order or sequence of the tasks in a work stream. As a specific stream of work progresses, it is often necessary to insert a new task between two existing tasks in the Gantt Charter view, and to add or remove dependency relationships between the tasks to accurately represent the new flow of work. Any changes of this type are accomplished by “editing the workflow logic” relating the tasks.
Adding a dependency relationship can mean linking either a new predecessor or a new successor to a specific task in a work stream. This can be performed in Gantt Charter view through the two methods as detailed below.
To add a dependency in the Gantt Charter view, complete the steps below for the desired option:
- From the Main Navigation Bar select Lookahead, then select Gantt Chart.
Method 1: Edit Workflow Logic
- Click the desired Milestone / Task, then select the more options button on the bottom toolbar.
- Select Edit Workflow Logic.
- The Edit Workflow Logic window opens and displays the task details for the selected task, any direct predecessor tasks, and any direct successor tasks. The selected task is located in the center of the window, any predecessors are shown above, and any successors are shown below. Each task is boarded by a color block according to the legend (Yellow = Processors, Blue = Selected and Green = Successors). The downward pointing arrows show the flow of work.
- To create workflow logic (link tasks):
A new predecessor may be linked to the selected task by entering the Task ID of the desired predecessor in the Link Predecessor(s) field as shown in the image below. This requires that the new predecessor already be present in the Lookahead, so any new task creation must be done before editing the workflow logic.
A new successor may be linked to the selected task by entering the Task ID of the desired successor in the Link Successor(s) field as shown in the image below. Similar to adding a predecessor, any new successors must already be present in the Lookahead, thus new task creation must be completed before editing the workflow logic.
- When finished entering desired Predecessor(s) or Successor(s) Task ID’s, click the Submit button. The Edit Workflow Logic window will then display the new dependency relationships.
- To make further edits by changing selected tasks or navigating through the workflow, click the “>>” symbol to the left of the predecessor or successor to make that task the selected task. Changing the selected task re-centers the Edit Workflow Logic window on the chosen predecessor or successor to allow further modification of the workflow logic. All direct predecessors and successors for that new selected task will then appear and the workflow and can be edited using the methods described above.
Method 2: Add “+” Button
- Click on the description of the desired Milestone / Task. To add Predecessor(s) or Successor(s), click the applicable “+ Add.”
- Enter the desired Task ID in the pop-up and hit the Return / Enter button on your keyboard. The edits will then be reflected in the Gantt Chart.
- The edits will then be reflected in the Gantt Chart.
