Create a Gantt from a template

Apply a reusable schedule to a new project so every job of the same shape starts with a proven task list, dependency graph and resource plan.

When to use this

Every time a new project has the same shape as a previous one — a typical residential build, a standard fit-out, a recurring service-and-maintenance cycle. Starting from a template saves the planner from rebuilding the same task list every time and gives schedulers a consistent baseline to estimate against.

Templates are Gantt records flagged as Template. Their tasks store relative day offsets from the project start date rather than absolute dates, so applying a template to a new project automatically calculates real dates from the template's offsets.

Prerequisites

• Timeline installed and a Configuration record in place for the subsidiary
• At least one template Gantt — see the template editor at FullClarity → Timeline → Templates to build one, or copy an existing project's Gantt and flag it as a template
• A project (Job) record without a Gantt yet (or where you're willing to replace the existing Gantt)
• Permission to create Gantt records (see Install & configure — Permissions)

Walkthrough

1. Open the project (Job) in NetSuite.
2. Confirm the project has a start date — templates calculate every task date relative to that date.
3. Go to the project's Timeline subtab and click Create Timeline.
4. In the dialog that opens, choose Copy from template.
5. Select the template from the list. (If your administrator has set default templates for the project's customer or type, those appear pre-selected.)
6. Confirm. Timeline:
   • Creates a new Gantt linked to the project
   • For each task in the template, creates a Gantt Task with dates computed as Project Start Date + Start Day Offset
   • Reproduces the predecessor/successor dependency graph between tasks
   • Copies any resource role placeholders so the new Gantt is ready for resource assignment
7. Open the new Gantt to confirm the tasks have landed at sensible dates.

What success looks like

• The project's Timeline subtab now shows a Gantt populated with one task per template task.
• Every task's Start Date is Project Start Date + the template's Start Day offset.
• The dependency graph from the template is preserved — dragging any task slides the dependent tasks accordingly.
• Role placeholders (e.g. "Site Foreman", "Concrete Sub") need to be filled with actual employees or vendors — see Allocate resources.

Building a template

Gotchas

• Project start date must be set first. Without it, the template applies but every task lands on the NetSuite account default date — usually today. Always set the project's start date before applying a template.
• Multiple Gantts per project. Applying a template doesn't replace an existing Gantt; it creates an additional Gantt linked to the same project. If you intended to replace, delete the old Gantt first.
• Default templates can override. Some accounts configure default templates per project type via the Configuration record. If a default applies, the dialog pre-selects it — change the selection if a different template is appropriate.
• Date recalculation is client-side. When the Gantt opens after applying a template, TreeGrid recalculates dates against the project calendar (skipping weekends and holidays). If you see slightly different dates from the offsets, that's the calendar adjusting the schedule to working days.
• Roles vs employees. Templates store role placeholders, not specific employees. Don't expect the new Gantt to come pre-staffed; you'll need to assign actual resources to the role rows.

Related

• Add tasks and dependencies
• Allocate resources
• Task fields reference