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Adjusting Tasks and Timelines in Project Planning

This article explains how to adjust tasks and task groups on the timeline.

Project plans are designed to change.

In Resource Planning (called Project Planning in BusyBusy) you can adjust task dates, durations, and sequencing as conditions change, without rebuilding your plan from scratch.

Move Tasks on the Timeline

Tasks can be moved directly on the timeline.

To move a task:

  1. Go to Scheduling → Project Planning.

  2. Open the project plan.

  3. Click and drag the task to a new date on the timeline.

Dragging a task updates its start and end dates automatically.

Move Task Groups

Task groups make it easy to shift entire phases of work.

When you move a task group:

  • All subtasks move with it.

  • The relative timing between tasks stays the same.

To move a task group, click and drag the task group bar on the timeline.

This is especially useful when a phase of work needs to be delayed or accelerated.

Adjust Individual Tasks Within a Task Group

Even when tasks are part of a task group, they can still be adjusted individually.

You can:

  • Move a single task without moving the entire group.

  • Edit a task’s duration.

  • Adjust start day offsets within the group.

This allows flexibility when some work changes but the overall phase stays the same.

Change Task Duration

If a task is expected to take longer or shorter than planned, you can update its duration.

To change a task’s duration:

  1. Click on the task.

  2. Select the edit pencil icon on the top.

  3. Update the expected duration.

  4. Click Submit to save your changes.

The timeline updates automatically based on the new duration.

Reorder Tasks

Tasks can be reordered within a project plan.

You can:

  • Move tasks up or down using task actions

  • Adjust task sequence if work order changes

Reordering tasks does not change dates automatically but helps keep plans organized.

What Happens If a Task Is Already Scheduled

If a task has already been requested or scheduled and you attempt to move it, BusyBusy will prompt you with options.

These options help you decide how to handle existing schedule items tied to the task.

Always review the prompt before proceeding to avoid unintended scheduling changes.

Important Things to Know

  • Adjusting tasks updates the project plan immediately.

  • Changes do not schedule or reschedule work automatically.

  • Scheduled tasks may show warnings when moved.

  • Task groups preserve subtask relationships when moved.

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