Dates & Schedule

🎯 Objective of this section

The Dates & Schedule module is the central tool for scheduling, progress tracking, and workflow control within a construction project.
It manages both the HOAI service phases and execution-related schedules (e.g. a construction schedule).
All dates are directly linked to cost planning and forecasting.

Structure of schedule management

The module consists of two views:

1. 1️⃣ Table view → for structured entry and editing of dates
2. 2️⃣ Gantt view (schedule) → for a visual representation of workflows

Both views access the same schedule data.

Table view – service phases and construction schedule

The schedule list is divided into two main sections:

• Service phases (HOAI) – Default phases 0–9 – represent the planning and construction process according to HOAI
• Construction schedule (optional) – Detailed execution schedule with milestones and work packages

💡 Note:
The service phases are already predefined in the template so that smenso knows the project’s time structure.
The construction schedule can be created additionally either manually or via an MS Project import.

Typical columns in the schedule list:

• Title / designation – Name of the date or work package
• Type – Type of entry (service phase, milestone, work step)
• Start date / due date – Time period of the activity
• Duration (days) – Automatically calculated runtime
• Status / progress – Current processing status
• Valid – Indicates whether the schedule is active (green traffic light)

💡 Tip:
Dates can be edited directly in the list or duplicated, moved, or saved as a variant via context menus.

Schedule variants and validity

• In smenso, multiple schedule variants (e.g. “Original plan”, “Variant B”) can be maintained in parallel.
• The “Valid” column indicates which version is active.
• Only the active (green) variant is included in reports, forecasts, and fund allocations.

💡 Recommendation:
Don’t delete old schedules—archive them instead. They serve as evidence of shifts or change orders.

Gantt view (schedule)

The Gantt view shows the same data on a visual timeline.
Here, bars can be moved, extended, or linked to each other.

Features:

• Drag & drop for start and end dates
• Zoom (day / week / month / year)
• Create dependencies (e.g. finish-to-start)
• Assistant for date shifts (preview and apply)
• Create variants by duplicating complete sections

💡 Practical example:
If service phase 5 (Execution planning) is postponed by 2 weeks, the assistant can automatically shift the start of LP6 (Awarding) accordingly—with preview and approval.

MS Project import (optional)

Existing schedules can be imported from MS Project as an .XML file. The import transfers:

• Task structure
• Start and end dates
• Duration and dependencies

After the import, dates can be edited further directly in smenso.

💡 Note:
This feature is available in the production version, not in the demo version.

Milestones and dependencies

Milestones

• Entries that only have an end date (no time period).
• Displayed in the Gantt view using a diamond icon.
• Typical examples: construction start, shell completion, acceptance.

Dependencies

• Activities can be logically linked via lines in the Gantt view.
• When moving dates, smenso automatically indicates whether dependent dates should be adjusted.
• With the “Resolve overlap” assistant, the adjustment can be applied or discarded.

Interaction with cost planning and forecasting

Scheduling is closely linked to cost tracking (Ch. 7) and forecasting (Ch. 9):

• Service phases control the allocation of costs in cost planning.
• Schedule shifts affect the timing of fund allocation.
• Valid schedule variants determine which quarters are burdened in the forecast.

💡 Example:
If LP8 (Construction supervision) shifts, the corresponding costs in the forecast are automatically moved to the new year.

Create new dates

Step-by-step:

1. 1️⃣ Open the “Dates” tab
2. 2️⃣ Select the desired section (service phases or construction schedule)
3. 3️⃣ Click “New”
4. 4️⃣ Enter title, type, start date, and due date
5. 5️⃣ Select a responsible person (optional)
6. 6️⃣ Enable milestone (if only the end date is relevant)
7. 7️⃣ Save

💡 Tip:
Dates can be moved at any time via drag & drop in the Gantt view— smenso updates the values automatically.

Best practices

• Plan service phases first, then add the construction schedule.
• Use variant creation strategically (plan / actual / simulation).
• Keep only one valid variant active - ensures consistent data.
• Use milestones for key project points (e.g. acceptances).
• Update the schedule regularly, especially in case of construction delays or change orders.

🔗 Related topics

• Chapter 7 – Cost tracking (DIN 276)
• Chapter 9 – Forecasting & cash flow planning
• Chapter 13 – Status reports

💡 Practical note:
By combining scheduling, cost tracking, and status reports, the entire project timeline can be mapped digitally—including schedule deviations, cost development, and construction progress.