Learning project management starting guide for the base module

It is assumed that you have setup a 14 day trial account on our hosted server or 3f Software Planner installed on your own server. It is furthermore assumed that you are familiar with the functionality of the Base Module. If you have not yet set up the trial account go to http://www.3fsoftwareplanner.com/start/ to do so.

Using “Quick Time” is handy when a telephone call or unexpected visitors suddenly interrupt.

Starting “Quick Time,” stops ongoing time tracking (if any) and starts a new time tracking instance without specifying which task time is being tracked for. Upon stopping “Quick Time” you will be asked to assign a task to the accumulated time. Once time has been allocated, the 3f Software Planner can automatically resume time tracking on the task you worked on when interrupted.

Note: You can choose to assign the accumulated time when quick time is stopped or at a later point in time.

To assign the time tracked later click Tree View > My Workspace > My Quicktime

Click “Assign Task”. In the “Unassigned quick time block” page select the project and task to which you wish to assign the tracked time.

"Client Request" is used to record and manage requests made by the client in one place. Client requests are usually tasks or additions which are not part of the original project. A client request can, optionally, be converted into a task.

To add a Client Request

Click the Tree View > Projects > Name of Client > Project Name > Client Request

On the “Client Request Details” page click the Add New Icon

fill in the subsequent page then click save.

Note: It is important to enter the client request in the right project. To activate a project click Project List > Choose Client > Choose Project.

Convert a client request to a task

Click the Tree View > Projects > Name of Client > Project Name > Client Request

Click on the request you want to convert to a task.

The request is converted to a task. To view the new task and add planned hours, click Project > Task then locate a click the name of the converted task.

Project Templates

To save time and avoid omitting standard project tasks a template can be imported into any project. During the import process you can choose which tasks to import.

Templates are created from existing projects by exporting the tasks to be included in the template. You can create different project templates for each type of project you do.

File > Export > XML - Task List

File > Import > XML - Task List

Errors and Changes

Errors and Changes is where you track all issues within a project. Issues refer to problems, questions or corrections in a project that must be resolved.

To enter a new Error and Change item

Click the Tree View > Projects > Name of Client > Project Name > Errors and Changes

Note: An Errors and Changes item can be converted to a task.

Project Grouping

Project Grouping provides you with an overview of the number of hours that has gone into a group of projects which are not otherwise related to each other. You can setup an unlimited number of project groups in which you can include an unlimited number of projects from any client. You can even include the same project in multiple project groups.

To create a Project Grouping

Click the Tree View > Projects > Project Grouping

Group, Copy and Rearranges Tasks in the Task List

You can group, copy and rearrange tasks in the task list. To learn more about grouping, copying and rearranging of tasks, we suggest taking a look at our video tutorial:

http://www.3fsoftwareplanner.com/video-tutorial/f2005/ent/ENT_9-1_Grouprearrangeandcopytasks.html

Note: The tutorial is from a previous version of the 3f Software Planner, the look and feel is different from the current look and feel however the general principles are the same.

Click the Tree View > Projects > Name of Client > Project Name > Project Reports > Version History

Software companies mainly use version History. It tracks which tasks have been finished and which issues have been resolved in a particular version. To learn more about Version History, we suggest taking a look at our video tutorial:

http://www.3fsoftwareplanner.com/video-tutorial/f2005/advfea/ADVFEA_25_UsingVersionHistory.html

Note: The tutorial is from a previous version of the 3f Software Planner, the look and feel is different from the current look and feel however the general principles are the same.