Gantt View Quick Start Guide
This document is intended to give you an overview of the MindGenius 4 Gantt view and its features.
Topics covered in this document:
Gantt Mode
The Gantt View
Switching Between Map View and Gantt View
The Gantt Ribbon Tab
Adding and Deleting Tasks
Calculating Task Values
Adjusting Task Properties
Task Links
Task Link Types
Task Constraints
Task Hierarchy
Milestones
Critical Path
Time Scale
Gantt Calendar
Limitations
More Information
Document Change Log
Gantt Mode
Gantt Mode becomes active when you first view your map as a Gantt chart.
By entering into Gantt Mode, all branches in your map will become actions and have a Start date, End date and
Duration assigned to them. This is necessary to ensure all branches in your map contain these three crucial
elements of a task prior to generating the Gantt view.
Assigning Default Values
When you enter Gantt Mode, MindGenius will assign default Start date, End date and Duration values as
follows:
Start Date:- The current date will be used
End Date:- The current date will be used
Duration:- Duration will be calculated as 1 Day
If you had previously assigned one or more of these values prior to entering Gantt Mode, MindGenius will
retain your values and calculate any that are missing, for more information on how MindGenius calculates
missing values, see Calculating Values.
Entering Gantt Mode
To enter Gantt Mode:




Ensure the Tasks tab is active
Select "Gantt View"
The map window will disappear and a Gantt chart representing your map will take its place
A new "Gantt" contextual tab will appear
The contextual tab that appears while Gantt Mode is active provides access to a host of features that
you'll find useful while working with your Gantt chart. Many of the features will be familiar to you if you've
used project management software previously. A list of features and their purpose can be found here:
Gantt Contextual Tab.
While Gantt Mode is active, any new branches added to your map will be marked as actions on creation
and will appear as tasks within your Gantt chart with default Start date, End date and Duration assigned.
The Gantt View
MindGenius allows you to view your map and its associated task information in a Gantt chart.
The Gantt chart is generated based on the branches and their relationship in your map. Take the following
sample map as an example:
When MindGenius converts your map to a Gantt chart, it interprets any branches with one or more children as
summary tasks. Taking the example in Fig 1, MindGenius will interpret 'Core', 'Branch 1' and 'Branch 2' as
summary tasks because these branches all have children.
A summary task displays summary information about all tasks directly under it. Using the example in Fig 1,
'Branch 1' will display a summary of task data relating to 'Sub Branch 1', 'Sub Branch 2' and 'Sub Branch 3'. The
following task data is summarised:





Start date
End date
% complete
Status
Duration
If a branch has no children of its own it will be interpreted as a task. This is true regardless of the level in your
map at which the childless task exists. With reference to Fig 1, all branches labelled 'Sub Branch...' will form
tasks in the Gantt chart.
Fig 2 below shows how the map will look in the Gantt view:
Fig 2. Example map as displayed in Gantt view
When you add or delete tasks, MindGenius will re-evaluate the summary/task relationships between branches
automatically.
Switching Between Map View and Gantt View
You can switch between Gantt view and Map view at any time.
Any changes you make to branches (tasks) while in the map view will be reflected immediately on switching
back to the Gantt view, and vice versa.
Switching to Map View
To switch to the map view:



Ensure the Gantt contextual tab is active
Click "Map View" from the Mode group
The Gantt chart will be replaced by your original map
Switching to the Gantt View
To switch to the Gantt view:



Ensure the Tasks tab is active
Click "Gantt View" from the Project group
The map will be replaced by a Gantt chart
Note: You'll notice when adding new branches in the map view that they're marked as actions automatically.
This is because your map is still in Gantt Mode.
To add branches without them becoming actions automatically you must exit Gantt Mode. Gantt Mode will
become active when you first view your map as a Gantt chart.
Gantt Ribbon Tab
The Gantt tab is displayed while your map is in Gantt Mode and houses commands that you'll find useful while
working with the Gantt chart.
Commands are split into groups, with the name of each group visible along its bottom edge:
Resources
The Resources button launches the Branch Resources dialog. From there you can choose which resources you
want to assign to your selected task(s).
View
The View group contains a Scroll to Task command, which allows you to select a task within the Gantt grid and
then scroll to it – useful if the task is out of view.
Also contained within the View group is the Timeline menu. This menu allows you to select which scale is used
to display the Gantt chart timeline.
Task Links
The Task Links group contains commands that let you link and unlink two or more tasks.
Hierarchy
The Hierarchy group contains Indent and Outdent command which allow you to change the hierarchy of your
tasks in relation to each other.
Properties
The Task Properties button launches the Task Properties dialog. This dialog lets you view and set task
properties like dates, durations, task links and constraints.
Task Filter
The Task Filter group contains the Critical Path command. This command allows you show the critical path for
your project. Clicking the command a second time hides it.
The Task Filter group also contains various filter commands that help you narrow down which tasks are
displayed in your chart.
Export
The Export group contains an export to Excel command. The Excel export is a useful way of communicating the
state of your project in a format that most colleagues will have the ability to view.
Print
The Print group contains commands for previewing and printing your Gantt chart.
Switch View
The Switch View group contains a split-button whose primary function will switch between map view and
Gantt view whilst keeping Gantt Mode active.
By opening the menu portion of the command you can exit Gantt Mode and return to map view.
Zoom
The Zoom group allows you to zoom in on your chart without changing the time scale used.
You can select from pre-set zoom values or use the slider for a custom zoom factor.
Adding and Deleting Tasks
Tasks can be added, edited or deleted in the Gantt view using the following shortcuts:
Insert - adds a new task as a sub task of the current selection
Enter - add a new task as a sibling (same level) of the current selection
Shift+Ctrl+Insert - adds a new summary task above the current selection
F2 - Opens the title editor for the selected task
Add Task
To add a task:



Select a task in the Gantt grid that will form the sibling/child/parent of your new task
Type the appropriate shortcut key combination
Enter a name for the task and click OK
Edit Task
To edit an existing task:




Select the task you wish to edit
Click the Task Properties button from the ribbon
Make any changes to the task properties or name
Click OK
Delete Task




Select the task you wish to edit
Type the Delete key
Confirm whether you wish to delete the current task only, or the current task and its sub tasks
Click OK
Calculating Task Values
In most cases there will be branches in your map that do not have a Start date, End date and Duration value
assigned to them. This situation presents a problem when viewing your map as a Gantt chart because each of
these three values is required to define a task.
The application must therefore calculate any missing values when you enter Gantt Mode such that every
branch in your map has a Start date, End date and Duration.
There are two situations which must be catered for:


One or more values has been entered for Start date, End date and Duration prior to entering Gantt
Mode.
No Start date, End date or Duration has been set
One or More Values Exists
Where you have manually specified one or more required values prior to entering Gantt Mode, the application
will maintain your values and calculate any that are missing.
The following rules are used to calculate missing values:
Existing Value in Field
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Start Date + End Date
Start Date + Duration
End Date + Duration
Effect on Entering Gantt Mode
The task will be scheduled from this date.
The application will assume a duration of 1 Day
and calculate the End Date for the task.
The task will be scheduled retrospectively from
this date.
The application will assume a duration of 1 Day
and calculate the start date.
The application will assign a Start Date of
<today> and the End Date will be calculated
based on the Duration specified.
The task will be scheduled based on the specified
dates.
The application will calculate the Duration.
The task will be scheduled to start on the
specified date.
The End Date will be calculated based on the
specified Duration.
The task will be scheduled retrospectively from
the specified date.
The Start Date will be calculated from the
specified Duration.
No Values Exist
Where you have not specified a Start date, End date or Duration for a branch prior to entering Gantt Mode,
the application will assign defaults.



Start Date: A start date of <today> will be assumed
End Date: An end date or <today> will be assumed
Duration: A duration of 1 Day will be assumed
Resolving Conflicts
In the map view there is no cross validation between Start date, End date and Duration. Subsequently, you
could enter invalid data such as: Start date: 24/02/10, End date: 26/02/10, Duration: 6 Days and the
application would not prevent it, however conflicts such as this must be resolved prior to displaying the map as
a Gantt chart.
When Gantt Mode becomes active, the application will evaluate all dates and durations pre-existing in the
map in the following way:

Is the Start date before the End date?
 Yes - leave existing value
 No - reset End date to equal Start date and calculate new Duration

Does the Duration equal End date - Start date?
 Yes - leave existing value
 No - recalculate Duration
Adjusting Task Properties
The properties of your tasks can be altered in multiple ways:
Click and Drag
The easiest and quickest way to alter the Start Date, End Date, Duration and % Complete of your tasks is by
clicking and dragging the task bar within the Gantt chart.
Start/End Date
To alter the Start Date or End Date of your task, hover your mouse cursor over the beginning or
end of the task bar until the
icon appears, then click and drag until you reach the date you
want. Notice that the duration of your task automatically recalculates based on the new date.
Note: If you require to move the Start Date of a task to or after the End Date, you must move the
End Date first, or use the Gantt grid if you require a duration of less than one day.
% Complete
To alter the % Complete for your task, hover your mouse cursor over the beginning of the task
bar until the
icon appears, then click and drag to increase or decrease the % Complete value.
Notice the black line that appears within the task bar to represent the % Complete.
Tip: By switching to the Task tab you can see the exact % Complete figure that you've set.
Duration
Duration is recalculated automatically based on changes to the Start or End date.
You can also move a task without altering duration by clicking and dragging within the Gantt chart. To move a
task without altering its duration, hover your mouse cursor over the middle of the task bar until the icon
appears, then click and drag left or right to move the task.
Note: To move a task you must click and drag left or right. Clicking and dragging up or down will be treated as
a link operation, creating a link between tasks rather than moving them.
Note: Tasks are moved in blocks of time appropriate to the current scale being displayed on the time line. For
instance, where the time line is displayed in minutes, you can move tasks in increments on 1 minute. Where
the time line is displayed in hours, you can move tasks in increments of 1 hour.
Gantt Grid
The Gantt grid gives you more complete control over your tasks by letting you alter Task Name, Duration, Start
Date, End Date, Predecessors and Resources.
The Gantt grid also features a right-click menu with additional functionality, allowing you to link and unlink
tasks, expand and collapse task groups, indent and outdent tasks and launch the Task Properties dialog.
Task Name
Click the name you wish to change to make it editable. Make your changes and then move focus
to another row or cell to commit.
Note: Because tasks represent branches in your map, editing a task name will also update the
corresponding branch title.
Duration
Click the duration cell for the task you wish to update to make it editable. The duration field
accepts whole numbers or decimals. The task bar representing the task being edited will
automatically resize based on the value you enter.
Note: Numbers entered into the duration field (e.g. '2') will be interpreted as days automatically,
but you can specify other measures too. For example, if you enter '2h' the application will
interpret the value as hours, rather than days.
Start/End Date
You can edit the Start and End date by typing the edited date within the appropriate cell. Dates
are accepted in the format dd/mm/yyyy. Entering a date in an alternative format will discard the
edit.
Alternatively you can edit the date using the date picker control. Click the date you wish to edit,
followed by the
icon to display the date picker. Using the calendar, pick the day on which you
want the task to start/finish. The month can be adjusted using the
controls at the top of the
picker and the year can be adjusted using the
control at the bottom.
Predecessors
You can specify task links in the Gantt grid by entering the predecessor ID(s). Enter the ID for your
selected task's predecessor into the predecessor cell and then move focus to another cell or row
to generate the link in the Gantt chart.
You can enter multiple predecessors by specifying their IDs in a comma separated list, e.g. '2,3,4'.
For more information, see Task Linking.
Resources
Resources can be assigned to branches via the Branch Resources dialog. Click within the
Resources cell for the appropriate task, followed by the icon to display the Branch Resources
dialog. Check the resource(s) you wish to assign and click OK. The resource name(s) will appear
against the task.
You can assign the same resources to multiple branches simultaneously by switching to the Tasks
tab and then Ctrl+clicking the appropriate IDs in the Gantt grid. Click the resources you wish to
assign from the Resources Gallery of the Tasks tab. The resources will be applied to all selected
tasks.
Action/Task Properties Dialog
The Task Properties dialog gives you control over the same task properties found in the Gantt grid, with the
addition of % Complete.
You can also add or edit additional action properties here such as Priority, Cost, Quantity and Work. Note that
these fields don't have any impact on your Gantt chart.
The Task Properties dialog is accessed via the ribbon or via the right-click menu.
Task Links
Task links are used to define how tasks are scheduled in relation to each other. The application will reschedule
tasks based on the link type you set for them.
Linking Tasks
You can link tasks in several ways. Click to find out more about linking by...
Click and Drag
The simplest way of linking one task to another is by clicking and dragging from the predecessor to the
successor task.


Move your mouse over the predecessor until the
icon appears
Click your mouse button and drag towards the successor task, notice the icon has changed to a


Release the mouse button over the successor task when the
A link will be created from one task to the other
icon appears around it
Note: To link tasks, be sure to drag your mouse up or down from predecessor to successor. Dragging your
mouse left or right will be treated as a move operation. In some cases, depending on the layout of your
tasks, it may be necessary to drag your mouse up or down to initiate the link, before dragging towards
your successor task.
Gantt Grid
You can define task links by typing predecessor IDs directly into the predecessor column of the Gantt grid.




Identify the ID of the predecessor task
Type the ID into the Predecessors column of the task you want to link to
Move focus to another cell or row
A link will be created between the task whose ID you identified and the task you entered the ID
against
You can define multiple predecessors for a branch by separating the task IDs with commas, e.g. '8, 10, 14'.
Ribbon Command
The ribbon command provides an easy method of linking multiple tasks together by allowing you to select
all those tasks that you want to link before linking them in a single operation.



Select the tasks you want to link by Ctrl+clicking their Task Name
Once you've selected the tasks you want to link, click the 'Link Tasks' command
Links will be created between the tasks you selected
Note: Links are created in task selection order, so ensure you select your tasks in the order in which you
want to link them.
Tip: If you want to link lots of adjacent tasks together, you can speed things up by selecting the first task
before Shift+clicking the last. Shift+clicking will select everything in-between.
Note: Creating task links by click and drag or by using the ribbon command will always create a 'Finish to Start'
link. MindGenius supports additional link types which must be set manually.
Unlinking Tasks
Tasks can be unlinked via the Gantt grid by removing the appropriate predecessor ID(s), or via the ribbon's
'Unlink Tasks' command.
Selecting a single task and clicking 'Unlink Tasks' will cause all links, incoming and outgoing, to be removed.
Selecting two or more tasks and clicking 'Unlink Tasks' will cause only those links between the selected tasks to
be removed.
Rescheduling
MindGenius will automatically reschedule your tasks based on the task links you create and any constraints
that you set.
More Information
Invalid Links
The application will prevent you from creating invalid task links directly. For example, if you attempt to link
Task A to Task B and Task B to Task A you will create a circular link. In situations such as this, the application
will display a warning dialog and the offending link will be abandoned.
There are situations where invalid links can be created indirectly. For example, deleting or repositioning a task
whose sub-tasks are promoted to summary level can create task to summary links. In situations such as this,
the application will automatically remove any offending links.
Exporting to MS Project
Any links created in the Gantt chart will be respected automatically when you export your map to MS Project.
Normal task linking options will be disabled, with the export favouring those created in the Gantt chart.
Should you wish to have MindGenius generate your task links on export, you must return to the Gantt chart
and manually remove all task links. Doing so will reinstate the task linking options on the Project Export dialog.
Cutting, Copying and Pasting Branches with Links
Cutting or copying a branch that forms part of a task link will not copy the link. When you paste the branch
into the same or another map, the task link will be ignored and only the branch will be pasted.
Cutting or copying a parent branch (summary task) whose children (sub tasks) contain one or more task links
will maintain those links when you paste them into the same or another map.
Task Link Types
Normally when you create a task link in MindGenius it will be created using the default 'Finish to Start' link
type.
Link types can be changed to better suit your project and the relationships you want to create between tasks
contained within it.
MindGenius supports the following task link types:

Finish to Start (FS)
Example
Definition
The dependent task (B) cannot begin until the task that it depends on (A) is complete.

Start to Start (SS)
Example
Definition
The dependent task (B) cannot begin until the task that it depends (A) on begins.
The dependent task can begin any time after the task that it depends on begins. The SS link type does
not require that both tasks begin simultaneously.

Finish to Finish (FF)
Example
Definition
The dependent task (B) cannot be completed until the task that it depends on (A) is completed.
The dependent task can be completed any time after the task that it depends on is completed. The FF
link type does not require that both tasks be completed simultaneously.

Start to Finish (SF)
Example
Definition
The dependent task (B) cannot be completed until the task that it depends on (A) begins.
The dependent task can be completed any time after the task that it depends on begins. The SF link
type does not require that the dependent task be completed concurrent with the beginning of the
task on which it depends.
Changing a Task's Link Type
The link type can be changed once a link is created by accessing the Task Properties dialog.
To change a task's link type:






Create a link between the predecessor and successor tasks
Double-click the task in the Gantt chart to access its properties
Select the Advanced tab
Click within the Link Type column of the predecessors grid for the link you wish to update
Select a new link type from the list
Click OK
More Information
Tip: You can create, or edit, one or more task links and define their link types in a single operation by entering
the predecessor ID followed by the link type abbreviation into the predecessor column of the Gantt grid.
Example
Entering "2FF" into the predecessor column of Task 2 creates a 'Finish to Finish' link between the specified task
(with ID of 2) and itself.
When multiple links are created in this way each link definition should be comma separated, e.g. "2FF, 3FS".
Task Constraints
MindGenius can use task constraints to build your project's schedule. That is, each task can have a rule applied
that MindGenius uses to help work out when your task should start or finish.
Constraint Types
There are three types of constraints in MindGenius: flexible, semi-flexible and inflexible.
- Flexible constraints don't tie a task to a specific date. They simply identify that you want your task to start as
early as possible. This is the default type of constraint applied to all tasks.
- Semi-flexible constraints have a date associated with them (known as the constraint date), but they don't
require the task to start or finish on the exact date. That is, you can set a task to start no earlier or later than a
specific date, or finish no earlier or later than a specific date. This way, depending on the constraint you
choose, the task's start or finish date can be any date, as long as it falls before or after the date you choose as
part of the constraint.
- Inflexible constraints tie a task's start or finish date to a specific date. Depending on the constraint you
choose, the task must start on a specific date, or it must finish on a specific date.
Available Constraints and their Definitions
The following constraints are available in MindGenius:
Constraint
Flexible
As Soon As Possible
(ASAP)
Semi-flexible
Finish No Earlier Than
(FNET)
Finish No Later Than
(FNLT)
Start No Earlier Than
(SNET
Start No Later Than
(SNLT)
Inflexible
Must Finish On (MFO)
Must Start On (MSO)
Definition
Schedules the task to start as early as it can. No
constraint date applies.
Schedules the task to finish on or after the
constraint date.
Schedules the task to finish on or before the
constraint date.
Schedules the task to start on or after the
constraint date.
Schedules the task to start on or before the
constraint date.
Schedules the task to finish on the constraint date.
Schedules the task to start on the constraint date.
Setting Task Constraints
All tasks are automatically given the 'As Soon As Possible' constraint; however you can change the constraint
for any task in your project via the Task Properties dialog.
To change a task's constraint:



Double-click the task bar in the Gantt chart to open its properties dialog
Select the advanced tab
Select the appropriate constraint type


Choose a date for the constraint
Click OK
Once a constraint is set against a task, it and anything linked from it will reschedule if necessary.
Removing Task Constraints
To remove an enforced constraint type and date for a task, reset its constraint type to the default 'As Soon As
Possible'. This will schedule the task to start as early as it can, either in relation to the project start date, or in
relation to other tasks with which it is linked.
When Should Constraints be Set?
When it comes to scheduling, the more flexibility you have in your project's dates, the better. Given that, it is
often best to leave the constraints set to As Soon As Possible.
However, there may be times when you need a certain task started or finished by a certain date, or you know
that a certain task can't begin or end before a certain date. In this case, you may want to use semi-flexible
constraints. For example, let's say you're planning a construction project, and you know that the land has to be
prepped for the foundation by July 21st, because the concrete lorry is only available to pour the foundation on
July 22nd. It's fine, in fact preferable, if the land is prepped prior to July 21st, but it has to be completed by
that date. In MindGenius, you can set a Finish No Later Than constraint for the "Prepare land" task, and set the
date to July 21st.
Keeping with this same example, there may be times when you need to set an inflexible constraint, such as
when the concrete lorry is available. In this case, you can set a Must Start On constraint for the "Pour
foundation" task, and set the date to July 22nd.
Example: How Do Constraints Impact Scheduling?
Flexible constraints are ideal for project scheduling, because they enable Project to schedule tasks as closely
together as possible, resulting in the project finishing on the most efficient schedule.
For example, let's say your business makes wedding cakes, and you're planning for an upcoming order. You
have three tasks: Bake Cake, Decorate Cake, and Deliver Cake. Each task has duration of 1 day, and the links
between them are set up so that when the "Bake Cake" task finishes, the "Decorate Cake" task begins, and
then when the "Decorate Cake" task finishes, the "Deliver Cake" task begins. If all three tasks use the As Soon
As Possible constraint, the project is scheduled to be completed in a total of 3 working days.
Now, let's say you were out of one of the colours you'll be using to decorate the cake, so you've placed an
order, but it isn't being delivered until Monday, June 27th, at the earliest. You can set a Start No Earlier Than
constraint for that task, and set the date to June 27th.
You'll notice the project is now set to finish on June 28th, rather than June 27th. This is because of that
constraint set for the "Decorate Cake" task. The "Bake Cake" task is still set to begin As Soon As Possible, so it
begins at the project start date, June 23rd. However, the "Decorate Cake" task can't begin until June 27th, so
there are a few days when no work is being done. In some cases this may be acceptable, but in others, that
downtime may be too valuable.
Next, let's look at how inflexible constraints impact scheduling. In this example, the couple who ordered the
cake are getting married on Saturday, June 25th, so the cake has to be delivered that day. With the "Deliver
cake" task set to a Must Finish On constraint of June 25th, MindGenius overlaps the tasks, because the
"Decorate Cake" task cannot be completed before the "Deliver Cake" task is due to begin.
Obviously, you can't deliver an undecorated cake, so the schedule indicates that you'll need to select a
different colour that you have in stock in order to complete the project on time. Once you've selected a
different colour, you can set the "Decorate Cake" task back to the As Soon As Possible constraint, and the
schedule is back on track for an on-time finish.
Task Hierarchy
The hierarchy of tasks in your Gantt chart is initially dictated by the parent/child relationship of branches in
your map. Parent branches become summaries in the Gantt chart while child branches become tasks.
Once you switch to Gantt view you control the parent/child relationship between branches using the
Indent/Outdent controls.
The Indent/Outdent controls are located on the Gantt ribbon and the Gantt grid right-click menu.
Indent a Task
To indent a task:


Select the task you wish to indent
Click the Indent
icon
Note: In some cases the Indent control will be disabled. This happens if you've selected the first task under a
summary, which is already indented in relation to the summary preceding it and cannot be indented further in
its current location, or if you've selected a task that has no other task immediately preceding it on the same
level.
Outdent a Task
To outdent a task:


Select the task you wish to outdent
Click the Outdent
icon
Note: In some cases the Outdent control will be disabled. This happens if you've selected a task that is
indented one level from the Core, or in other words a task representing a level 1 branch. Level 1 branches
cannot be promoted because only one Core-level branch is permitted.
Milestones
A milestone is a reference point that marks a major event in a project and can be used to monitor the project's
progress.
You can add milestones to your project in MindGenius in the following ways:
Gantt Grid
Milestones may be set directly from the Gantt grid by setting the duration of a task to zero.
 Place your mouse cursor in the Duration field for the task you want to set as a milestone
 Highlight the text in the field and enter '0'
 Move focus to another cell or row
Milestone status will be confirmed by the presence of a
blue task bar.
icon within the Gantt chart in place of the normal
Task Properties
Milestone status may also be set via the Task Properties dialog.
 Select the task that you want to set as a milestone
 Click 'Task Properties' from the ribbon or right-click menu
 Check the 'Gantt/MS Project Milestone' checkbox
Note: The important difference between the two methods described above is one of duration. There are
circumstances in which your milestones require a duration value and this must be set via the Task Properties
dialog.
More Information
Identifying a milestone
Milestones are shown in the Gantt view by the presence of a icon in the Gantt chart. While in the map view,
milestones can be identified by the presence of a similar icon shown on the branch.
Filtering
Filtering works in both map view and Gantt view. You can apply the 'Milestones' quick filter to quickly identify
all the milestones in your map or project. Applying a filter will grey out all tasks other than milestones.
Why might milestones need a Duration?
Example:
A construction site is nearing completion and a celebrity is booked to unveil a plaque.
During this time it would be undesirable for machines and equipment to make noise, so work is suspended
during the unveiling and restarted after.
This is a key point in the project and should therefore become a milestone, but it takes time that must be
tracked and so a duration value is set.
Critical Path
For your project to finish on a specific date, it's important to keep track of the critical path. This helps to verify
that changes you make to the project plan don't adversely affect the end date of your project.
Showing the Critical Path
You can highlight the critical path for your project using the 'Show Critical Path' button, found on the
contextual Gantt tab.
By clicking the 'Show Critical Path' button, the critical tasks in your project and the links between them will
change from their normal blue colour to red, indicating that an increase in duration for any task on the critical
path must increase the overall duration of your project to the detriment of your original finish date.
Note: It is possible to have more than one critical path in your project. For that reason, in some circumstances,
more than one series of tasks may highlight when viewing the critical path.
The Show Critical Path Button
The 'Show Critical Path' command is special type of button known as a toggle-button.
A toggle-button works a lot like a light switch; the function it controls remains on after the button is pressed,
and is turned off when button is pressed again.
Clicking the 'Show Critical Path' button will highlight the path in your Gantt chart, and the button will remain in
its 'on' state. The effect is that adding, deleting or editing the properties of tasks will be taken into account
automatically and the critical path updated without the need to reapply a filter, or click a command over again.
When you no longer wish to see the critical path, simply click the 'Show Critical Path' button a second time to
turn it off.
Timescale
You can adjust the scale used for the Gantt chart using the 'Timeline' menu on the Gantt contextual tab.
The time line can be displayed in years, quarters, months, weeks, days or hours. The default is days.
Adjusting the Time Scale
To adjust the scale:


Ensure your map is in Gantt Mode with the Gantt view visible and the Gantt contextual tab selected
Click the 'Timeline' button to drop down the list of available scales
Select your desired scale
Note: When you use a scale of hours you'll notice the time period displayed is limited to the working day, i.e.
9am to 5pm, this is to avoid using valuable chart space to display blocks of time in which tasks cannot be
scheduled.
You can zoom into the time line using the zoom controls on the ribbon, or the zoom slider control in the
bottom-right corner of the screen.
Zooming the Time Line
To zoom in or out from the time line:


Ensure your map is in Gantt Mode with the Gantt chart visible and the contextual tab selected
Slide the zoom slider to the left to zoom out, or to the right to zoom in
Or, select a pre-defined zoom value from the zoom list
Resetting the Zoom
To reset the time line zoom to its default of 100%:-


Click the left portion of the ribbon 'Zoom' command
Or, drop down the zoom list and select '100%'
Tip: Using the zoom controls can sometimes mean your task is no longer shown in the visible section of the
time line. Use the 'Scroll to Task' command to bring your task into view while maintaining your chosen zoom
value. Select a task in the grid and click 'Scroll to Task'.
More Information
The top and bottom rows of the time line are linked together. When you select a scale you do so for the
bottom row of the time line. The scale used for the top row is automatically set one scale 'higher' than your
selected value.
Example:
You select a scale of 'days' from the 'Timeline' menu. This scale will be set for the bottom row of the time line.
The application will automatically apply a scale of 'weeks' to the top row.
Likewise, if your selected scale (bottom row) is 'weeks', the application will apply a top row scale of 'months'.
It is not possible to set top and bottom rows independently.
Gantt Calendar
The Gantt calendar defines the working and nonworking days for your project, any exceptions such as holidays
and its start date.
By default the working week is specified as Monday to Friday, 9.00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., with an hour off for
break.
The Gantt calendar is accessed via the Document Properties dialog:




Click the orb in the top left corner
Select Prepare
Select Map Properties
Select the Calendar tab
Note: Your map must be in Gantt mode before the Calendar tab of the Document Properties dialog will be
displayed.
Setting the Gantt Calendar
There are two calendars in MindGenius; an application calendar that all new maps inherit, and a map calendar
that affects only the current map.
Application Calendar
The application calendar is stored with your application settings and is used as the default calendar
when you create new maps.
You can edit this calendar via MindGenius Options:




Ensure the Tools tab is active
Click the Options button
Select the Calendar tab of the MindGenius Options dialog
Make any edits to the application calendar and click OK
Map Calendar
The map calendar is effective against the current map only. Changes made to it will be saved with the
map and will be used when the map is next opened.
Note: Map calendars take priority. If a colleague sends you a map, the map calendar will override
your application calendar when you open it. Be careful not to inadvertently schedule tasks to run on
what is a nonworking day for you, but a working day for your colleague.
You can edit the map calendar via the Document Properties dialog:





Click the application button in the top left of the screen
Move your mouse over the Prepare button
Click Map Properties from the right panel
Select the Calendar tab
Make any edits to the application calendar and click OK
Working Days
The working days for your project are set by checking or unchecking a series of checkboxes, one representing
each day of the week.
By placing a check in the box next to a day of the week, you are indicating that the day is a working day. Days
that do not have checks next to them (Saturday and Sunday in the example above [Fig.1]) are nonworking
days.
Exceptions and Holidays
There will be situations in which you need to record a nonworking day that is not a regular occurrence, for
example a summer holiday or sick day. This is done by adding a working exception.
Working exceptions require a Name, a Start date and an End date. Dates are inclusive, i.e. an exception
starting on the 02/03/10 and finishing on the 03/03/10 represents a 2 day period of nonworking time.
When you add a new working exception it will appear in the Working Exceptions list of the Gantt Calendar
dialog. From here you can edit the exception, or delete it.
Project Start Date
By defining a start date for your project you control the date on which all new tasks will be scheduled to start
and the point to which tasks will revert if unlinked and unconstrained.
Where no project start date is defined, MindGenius will use <today>.
Rescheduling
When you edit the working days, an exception or the project start date, the Gantt chart will automatically
update.
Nonworking days are shown in the Gantt chart by shading the day with a grey bar.
MindGenius will reschedule any tasks that are due to start, finish or run in to a nonworking day, such that they
start or finish on the following working day. As a consequence, any tasks that are linked to the task
rescheduled as a result of the change in calendar will also be rescheduled.
Limitations
Although the Gantt view offers many advanced features we are aware of some features that would be useful
which have yet to be implemented. These include:








The ability to choose which branches become tasks in the Gantt chart.
Task bar colours are fixed and cannot be customised.
Data columns in the Gantt grid are fixed and cannot be customised, added or removed
Only the entire chart can be printed rather than a specific range
Holidays can only be scheduled for the entire project, rather than specific resources
Gantt charts cannot be exported other than to Project, i.e. no image or PDF formats are possible
Durations are currently limited to one full hour minimum
Resource levelling does not currently take place, i.e. adding multiple resources to a task does not
reduce its duration, and no warning is given if a resource is over-allocated
List correct as of version 4.3
More Information
If you have any questions relating to the Gantt functionality or MindGenius more generally, you can send us an
email to usability@mindgenius.com and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
When emailing us please be sure to include as much information as possible as this assists us in putting
together an accurate response which is more helpful for you.
If you are having technical difficulties with MindGenius please direct your query to support@mindgenius.com
Document Change Log
Date
2/7/12
Change
Initial draft of document.