# Task Properties (https://yapl.app/en/docs/user-guides/tasks/task-properties)

# Task Properties

Task properties define all aspects of a task - what it is, when it happens, how long it takes, and who's responsible. This guide covers all available task properties.

## Accessing Properties

### Open Task Details

1. Click on a task in the task list
2. Or double-click task in Gantt
3. Or click task card in Kanban
4. Properties panel or dialog opens

### Edit Mode

- Some properties editable inline
- Full editing in task detail view
- Gantt allows visual date editing

## Basic Properties

### Task Name

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Required | Yes |
| Max Length | Varies |
| Visible | All views |

The task name should describe the work clearly and concisely.

### Description

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Required | No |
| Format | Plain text |
| Use | Detailed explanation |

Add context, requirements, or notes about the task.

### WBS Code

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Generated | Automatically |
| Format | Hierarchical (1.1.1) |
| Editable | Via reorganization |

The WBS code reflects position in hierarchy.

## Scheduling Properties

### Start Date

When work on the task begins:
- Can be set manually
- Can be calculated from dependencies
- Affects end date if duration set

### End Date

When work on the task completes:
- Can be set manually
- Can be calculated from duration
- Must be on or after start date

### Duration

The number of work days:
- Calculated from start/end if both set
- Used to calculate end from start
- Respects working calendar

### Constraints

Optional scheduling constraints:

| Constraint | Description |
|------------|-------------|
| As Soon As Possible | Default, earliest dates |
| As Late As Possible | Latest possible dates |
| Must Start On | Fixed start date |
| Must Finish On | Fixed end date |
| Start No Earlier Than | Minimum start date |
| Start No Later Than | Maximum start date |
| Finish No Earlier Than | Minimum end date |
| Finish No Later Than | Maximum end date |

## Effort Properties

### Baseline Effort

| Property | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| Set When | Plan is baselined |
| Value | Frozen planned hours |
| Purpose | Variance comparison |

Initially NULL until baseline is set.

### Planned Hours

| Property | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| Purpose | Current effort estimate |
| Editable | Yes |
| Updates | Can change as understanding improves |

### Actual Hours

| Property | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| Purpose | Work completed to date |
| Source | Time tracking |
| Updates | Accumulates over time |

### Remaining Hours

| Property | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| Purpose | Estimated remaining work |
| Source | Re-estimated regularly |
| Calculation | EAC - Actual = Remaining |

### EAC (Estimate at Complete)

| Formula | `Actual Hours + Remaining Hours` |
|---------|----------------------------------|
| Purpose | Total expected effort |
| Compare | Against baseline for variance |

### Variance

| Formula | `EAC - Baseline Effort` |
|---------|-------------------------|
| Positive | Over baseline |
| Negative | Under baseline |
| NULL | No baseline set |

## Progress Properties

### Progress Percentage

Task completion from 0% to 100%:

| Mode | Calculation |
|------|-------------|
| Manual | Set directly |
| Effort-based | Actual / (Actual + Remaining) |
| Checklist-based | Completed items / Total items |
| Weighted children | Based on subtask progress |

### Progress Mode

Select how progress calculates:

1. **Manual** - You set percentage directly (leaf tasks only)
2. **Effort-based** - Calculated from hours (leaf tasks only)
3. **Checklist-based** - Based on checklist items (requires at least one item)
4. **Weighted children** - Roll up from subtasks (required for parent tasks)

<Callout type="info">
**Mode Restrictions:**
- Parent tasks (with subtasks) automatically use weighted-children mode
- Leaf tasks (without subtasks) cannot use weighted-children mode
- Checklist-based requires adding checklist items before enabling
</Callout>

## Status Properties

### Task Status

Current workflow state:

| Default Statuses | Description |
|------------------|-------------|
| To Do | Not started |
| In Progress | Work underway |
| In Review | Pending review |
| Completed | Finished |

Plus any custom workspace statuses.

### Status Color

Visual indicator in views:
- Configured per status
- Appears in Gantt, Kanban
- Customizable in workspace settings

## Assignment Properties

### Assignees

People responsible for the task:
- Can assign multiple users
- Affects resource loading
- Visible in all views

### Resources

Equipment, materials, consumables:
- Assigned from resource pool
- Quantity specified
- Cost calculated (Professional)

## Hierarchy Properties

### Parent Task

The task's parent in WBS:
- Defines hierarchy level
- Affects WBS code
- Progress may roll up

### Subtasks

Child tasks under this task:
- Break down work further
- Progress can aggregate
- Visible in list view

## Checklist Properties

### Checklist Items

Lightweight tracking items:

| Property | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| Purpose | Verification, approvals |
| Not WBS | Don't appear in hierarchy |
| No Dates | Simple completion tracking |
| Affect Progress | If checklist mode enabled |

### Adding Checklist Items

1. Open task details
2. Find checklist section
3. Add items with descriptions
4. Check off when complete

## Custom Properties

### Custom Fields

Workspace may have custom task fields:
- Defined by administrators
- Various field types
- Visible based on configuration

## Read-Only Properties

### Created By

Who created the task - not editable.

### Created Date

When task was created - not editable.

### Last Modified

When task was last changed - automatic.

## Property Dependencies

### Related Properties

Some properties affect others:

| When You Change | These May Update |
|-----------------|------------------|
| Start Date | End Date (if duration set) |
| Duration | End Date |
| Actual Hours | Progress (if effort-based) |
| Checklist Items | Progress (if checklist mode) |
| Dependencies | Start/End dates |

## Bulk Property Editing

### Editing Multiple Tasks

1. Select multiple tasks (if supported)
2. Open bulk edit
3. Set common properties
4. Apply to all selected

### Common Bulk Changes

- Status updates
- Date shifts
- Assignee changes

## Troubleshooting

### Cannot Edit Property

**"You don't have permission"**
- Verify you have edit access
- Check team role

**Property appears disabled**
- May be calculated/derived
- Check if task is locked
- Published plans may restrict

### Changes Not Saving

- Check for validation errors
- Verify no conflicts
- Try refreshing and re-editing

### Dates Moving Unexpectedly

- Check dependency impacts
- Review constraint settings
- Look for auto-scheduling effects

## Related Topics

- [Creating Tasks](/docs/user-guides/tasks/creating-tasks) - Task creation
- [Task Statuses](/docs/user-guides/tasks/task-statuses) - Status management
- [Task Dependencies](/docs/user-guides/tasks/task-dependencies) - Relationships