Setting Key Tracking Dates in a Project

The Key Tracking Dates window allows you to set deadline and milestone dates for a project. You can also specify the methods used to set milestone dates.

The project deadline options displayed on this window are determined by:

• The project's source (for example, if it comes from a template or is a copy of another project)
• Selections on the Project - General Information window
• Whether CCH forms are used

Notes: 

• The Milestone dates section is available only if you answered Yes to the Track milestone dates question in the Project - General Information window.
• Some fields are not available if you select to update multiple projects at one time.

To manage key tracking dates for a project, do the following:

1. Open the project.
2. Click Key Tracking Dates on the navigation panel.
3. Confirm or update the project deadlines.

Component	Description
Planned start	Can be based on a rule or manually overridden. If this date is based on a rule, the rule displays when you hover the pointer over this field. Can be TBD if the date is rule-based and dependent on other criteria.
Planned finish	Can be set to calculate based on a rule selected at the time of project creation. Can be manually overridden. If this date is based on a rule, the rule displays when you hover the pointer over this field. Can be TBD if the date is rule-based and dependent on other criteria.
Actual start	Set manually when you begin the project.
Actual finish	Added automatically when you mark the project complete and confirm the actual finish date
Fiscal year started	Displays the starting year that was selected during project setup. For tax returns, this date should correspond with the tax year.
Statutory missed dates?	Indicates if there is a missed deadline. If Yes, a link takes you to the Form Due Dates window where you can extend forms or mark them complete. Note: This option is only available when the option to track statutory dates is selected and you are using form due dates provided by Workstream.
Next date	Next incomplete form due date (deadline). Click the link to view the Form Due Dates window. Note: This option is only available when the option to track statutory dates is selected and you are using form due dates provided by Workstream.
Last date	Last form due date for this project. Click the link to view the Form Due Dates window. Note: This option is only available when the option to track statutory dates is selected and you are using form due dates provided by Workstream.
Rolled forward on	Date when the project was last rolled forward to create a new project, if any.
Original statutory due date	The date from the project's template or type displays. If nothing was entered at the source, the date is blank unless entered manually. Note: This option is only available when the option to track statutory dates is selected and you are not using form due dates provided by Workstream.
1st extension	First extension date of the project, entered by the system, based on the calculation method or entered manually. Note: This option is only available when the option to track statutory dates is selected and you are not using form due dates provided by Workstream.
2nd extension	Second extension date of the project, entered by the system, based on the calculation method or entered manually. Note: This option is only available when the option to track statutory dates is selected and you are not using form due dates provided by Workstream.

4. If your project is not tracking milestone dates, continue to the last step. Otherwise, you can do any of the following:
   • Add milestone dates.
     1. Click Milestone Dates on the button bar.
     2. In the top box, select a milestone to assign to the projects, and then click. Repeat as needed until all the needed milestones are added.
     3. Click OK.
   • Delete a milestone date. Select an unlocked milestone date and click Remove.

5. Confirm or update the method to set the project milestone dates.

   • Enter the milestone date.
   1. Select a milestone date.
   2. Select Staff entry in the Date is Set By column.
   3. Enter the milestone date in the Date column.
   • Set the date by completion of a workstep (available if the project template is set to use worksteps).
   1. Select a milestone date.
   2. Select Completion of workstep in the Date is Set By column.
   3. Select a project workstep from the Workstep column. The available worksteps are those that have not been selected to set other milestone dates.
   • Explain the lock and unlock buttons.

   Component	Descriptions
   Lock	A gray lock indicates the milestone date is locked by the project template and cannot be unlocked or removed.
   Unlock	Indicates the milestone date is unlocked. Click to lock the milestone date.

6. Click one of the Save options.

   Button	Description
   Save	Saves the changes without exiting the window. An error message displays if you click this button before entering all required information.
   Save & New	Saves the changes and opens a new window. An error message displays if you click this button before entering all required information.
   Save & Close	Saves the changes and exits the window. An error message displays if you click this button before entering all required information.
   Save & Previous	Saves your changes and moves to the previous record when you are updating multiple projects individually.
   Save & Next	Saves your changes and moves to the next record when you are updating multiple projects individually.
   Reset	Discards your changes in the current window and resets all sections back to their previous state. Only available when you are updating multiple projects at one time.
   Continue	Compiles your changes, closes the window, and displays the All Selected Confirmation window, allowing you to review the detail of your changes. Only available when you are updating multiple projects at one time. When you click Continue, the All Selected Confirmation window displays, allowing you to review the detail of your changes. Select or clear boxes to apply or remove your changes, and then click Apply.