# Creating Plans (https://yapl.app/en/docs/user-guides/plans/creating-plans)

# Creating Plans

Plans are the scheduling foundation in YAPL. This guide covers creating plans, configuring initial settings, and connecting them to projects.

## When to Create a Plan

Create a plan when you need to:

- **Schedule project work** - Define tasks with timelines
- **Track progress** - Monitor completion and effort
- **Coordinate resources** - Assign equipment and materials
- **Visualize timeline** - Use Gantt charts for planning
- **Manage workflow** - Use Kanban for agile processes

## Creating a New Plan

### Step 1: Navigate to Plans

1. Click **Plans** in the sidebar navigation
2. Click **Create Plan**

Or from a project:
1. Open the project
2. Navigate to Plans tab
3. Click **Create Plan**

### Step 2: Enter Plan Information

| Field | Description | Requirements |
|-------|-------------|--------------|
| Plan Name | Descriptive name | 1-255 characters, required |
| Description | Plan overview and goals | Up to 1,000 characters, optional |
| Version Name | Initial version identifier | 1-50 characters, required |

### Step 3: Create the Plan

Click **Create Plan** to finish. You'll be taken to the plan's task view.

## Plan Name Guidelines

Good plan names are:
- **Descriptive** - Indicate scope or phase
- **Distinguishable** - Different from other plans
- **Concise** - Easy to recognize in lists

**Examples:**
- "Phase 1 - Foundation"
- "Sprint 23 Plan"
- "Q1 2025 Schedule"
- "Site Preparation"

## Version Name

Every plan starts with an initial version:

| Good Version Names | Poor Version Names |
|-------------------|-------------------|
| "Baseline" | "v1" |
| "Initial Draft" | "1" |
| "Rev A" | "First" |
| "2025-01-15" | "Test" |

Version names help identify plan states when comparing or restoring.

## Plan Types

### Project-Associated Plans

Plans created from project context:
- Automatically linked to project
- Inherit project team access
- Appear in project's plans list
- Part of project metrics

### Standalone Plans

Plans created independently:
- Personal or workspace-level
- Not linked to any project
- Can be assigned later
- Independent access

## After Creation

Your new plan is ready for:

### Adding Tasks

Create your work breakdown structure:

1. Navigate to **Tasks** tab
2. Click **Add Task**
3. Enter task details
4. Create subtasks as needed

### Setting Up Views

Access different perspectives:
- **Tasks** - Hierarchical list view
- **Kanban** - Status-based board
- **Timeline** - Gantt chart

### Configuring Settings

Customize plan behavior:
- Calendar settings
- Custom statuses
- Baseline configuration

## Plan Limits

Subscription tiers limit plan capabilities:

| Feature | Trial | Basic | Professional |
|---------|-------|-------|--------------|
| Plans per workspace | 1 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Tasks per plan | 200 | 200 | 500 |
| Gantt editing | Yes | View only | Full editing |
| Cost tracking | Yes | No | Yes |
| Import/export | No | No | Yes |

<Callout type="info">
Plan limits are counted at the workspace level, not per project. Task limits are enforced per plan.
</Callout>

## Plan Workflow

### Typical Creation Flow

1. **Create plan** with name and initial version
2. **Add tasks** to build WBS
3. **Set dependencies** between tasks
4. **Assign resources** to tasks
5. **Set baseline** when planning complete
6. **Track progress** during execution
7. **Create versions** as changes occur

### Quick Start

Minimum required:
- Plan name
- Version name

Add everything else after creation.

## Editing Plans

After creation, modify plan settings:

1. Open the plan
2. Click settings icon or navigate to **Settings** tab
3. Update name, description
4. Save changes

## Duplicating Plans

To create similar plans:
1. Consider creating a new version
2. Or create new plan and manually copy structure
3. Import/export features (Professional tier)

## Deleting Plans

To delete a plan:

1. Navigate to plan settings
2. Find delete option
3. Confirm deletion

<Callout type="warn">
Deleting a plan removes all tasks, assignments, and history. This cannot be undone.
</Callout>

## Troubleshooting

### Cannot Create Plan

**"Plan limit reached"**
- Trial tier: Maximum 1 plan per workspace
- Basic tier: Maximum 10 plans per workspace
- Upgrade to Professional for unlimited plans
- Archive unused plans to free up quota

**"You don't have permission"**
- Verify team role allows plan creation
- Contact team lead or owner

### Plan Not Appearing

- Refresh the page
- Check if creation completed
- Verify you have access to view plans

### Missing Features

- Some features require Professional tier
- Gantt editing needs Professional
- Cost tracking needs Professional

## Related Topics

- [Plan Versions](/docs/user-guides/plans/plan-versions) - Version management
- [Publishing Plans](/docs/user-guides/plans/publishing-plans) - Finalizing plans
- [Plan Assignments](/docs/user-guides/plans/plan-assignments) - Project connections
- [Tasks](/docs/user-guides/tasks) - Task management