🔁 Automatically match start dates / due dates from tasks and subtasks

By default, in smenso, start and due dates of subtasks and main tasks can be set freely without considering each other’s start and due dates. This provides maximum flexibility but is not always aligned with classic project management methodologies.

Project managers would typically expect the following logic:

• Main task start date = MIN subtask start date
• Main task due date = MAX subtask due date

Therefore, there is an optional project setting to enforce the alignment of start and due dates between main tasks and subtasks or at least prompt users to choose.

Enable Date Alignment (in Project Settings)

By default, automatic date alignment is inactive. To consider the respective start and due dates of main tasks and subtasks, automatic alignment can be enabled in the project settings. There are two options:

Case 1: Automatic Alignment of Dates in Main Tasks

When subtasks are created or moved and their start or due dates fall outside the main task’s date range, the main task’s dates are adjusted to include all subtasks.

• A subtask is newly created with a due date outside the main task.
• A subtask is moved to another main task, and its dates fall outside the new main task.

➡️ The main task adjusts to the earliest start date and latest due date of its subtasks.

Example:

• Before: Main task: 03/01 - 03/05, Subtask: 03/03 - 03/04.
• Change: The subtask is extended to 03/06 - 03/07.
• Result: The main task is automatically updated to 03/01 - 03/07.

Case 2: Automatic Alignment of Dates in Subtasks

When a main task is moved or its duration is changed, subtasks can be adjusted accordingly.

• A main task is rescheduled, and the subtasks move by the same number of days.
• A main task is shortened or extended, but subtasks remain unchanged.

➡️ Subtasks keep their own dates if the main task is shortened.

Example:

• Before: Main task: 03/01 - 03/05, Subtask: 03/02 - 03/04.
• Change: The main task is shortened to 03/01 - 03/03.
• Result: The subtask remains at 03/02 - 03/04 (no automatic shortening).

What Options Are Available?

In the project settings, the following options are available:

• Always ask: Users are prompted each time an action requires date adjustments.
  
  When a subtask is modified:
  
  
  When a main task is modified:
  

• Always align: Adjustments are applied automatically when the above cases occur.
• Never align (default setting): Main and subtask dates can be set independently.