When you set constraints in a project plan, you essentially set time restrictions. Constraints put project phases within a specific time frame and can be set for milestones, activities and summary activities. Constraints on planning elements limit the flexibility of the project plan: the project planner or project manager cannot move planning elements along the timeline freely but need to plan within the timely constraints.
Before you set constraints, you should have established dependencies between your planning elements.
Set constraints on activities and summary activities
After you have created planning elements and established dependencies automatically or manually, follow these steps:
1. Open the details of the planning element by right-clicking to open the context menu and then clicking on Edit.
2. Then in the side panel under Constraints you can select the type of constraint and then set the date and time.
In contrast to activities, milestones do not have a duration; nevertheless, you can constrain a milestone’s start or end date and/or time. This is done the same way as with activities.
You can set different kinds of constraints on planning activities.
NOTE Constraints on single planning elements influence the whole project plan. It may be that you are not able to move planning elements freely along the timeline, due to constraints set on planning elements. If this is the case, InLoox alerts you to possible constraint violations with the symbol “constraint violation” in the planning list next to those planning elements that are affected.
TIP For better overview, it is advisable to show the column Constraint Type and Constraint Date in the planning list.
You can remove or change constraints that have been set:
1. Open the side panel of the planning element again.
2. Under constraint, choose As soon as possible - which is the default value for planning elements.