Mastering Project Planning with Start and End Dates

When managing a project, it's crucial not just to create tasks and items but to assign them proper timelines. In Pronnel, every item comes with Start Date and End Date attributes by default. These timelines ensure that tasks are clear, actionable, and trackable — no more ambiguity about when to begin and when to finish.

Understanding Start and End Dates

A Task Without a Deadline is Merely a Wish. Assigning Start Dates and End Dates ensures:

  • Team members know when to begin working.
  • Managers and stakeholders can track progress clearly.
  • There’s accountability for delays.
  • Timelines help prioritize tasks better within larger projects.

Without proper dates, it's easy for tasks to pile up, slip through the cracks, or become irrelevant.

Setting a start date and an end date provides crucial information about each item's duration and expected completion.
Setting a start date and an end date provides crucial information about each item's duration and expected completion.

Additionally, you can include an optional time field along with the date for more precise scheduling.

How to Assign Start and End Dates

Assigning Start and End Dates to Items. When you create a new item (task) in Pronnel, you will see fields to assign:

  • Start Date – When work on the item should begin.
  • End Date – The planned deadline for completing the item.

Additionally, if your project requires more granularity, you can add optional time fields to specify the exact hour and minute for starting or ending a task.

Steps:
  • Open the item or create a new one.
  • Locate the “Start Date” and “End Date” fields.
  • Select dates from the calendar pop-up.
  • (Optional) Add a specific time.
  • Save the item.

That's it — the timelines are now linked to the item!

Notifications and Deadlines

An item's assignee receives notifications before the start time, ensuring they have ample time to prepare and get started on the task. In the event of a delay, if the item surpasses its scheduled end date without reaching the final bucket, the assignee and all collaborators will be notified. These notifications continue daily until the item is moved to the final bucket. Pronnel also allows you to configure the frequency and duration of these notifications, tailoring them to your specific needs.

Customizing Date Attributes

If you need to add more date-related attributes to your items beyond the start and end dates,

Pronnel offers additional customization options to add more date related attributes to item beyond the start and end dates.

Pronnel offers additional customization options. We recommend referring to the tutorial and video on "Custom Date Attribute" to learn more about custom date attributes and their usage.

Manage Time Visually with Gantt and Calendar Views

Pronnel provides two powerful visual modes for tracking date-based information like ticket deadlines, task durations, and milestones: Gantt View and Calendar View. Each view serves a unique purpose depending on how you want to manage time and resources.

  • Gantt View:

    Ideal for project planning, this view presents tasks along a timeline, helping you visualize durations, overlaps, and dependencies between different tasks or tickets.

    Gantt vs Calendar View in Pronnel
  • Calendar View:

    Perfect for day-to-day tracking, this view displays items based on start or end dates in a familiar monthly, weekly, or daily calendar layout—making scheduling and availability management effortless.

    Gantt vs Calendar View in Pronnel

You can toggle between these views based on your needs and workflow preferences. Whether you're managing deadlines or planning long-term projects, Pronnel has you covered.

Conclusion:

Assigning Start and End Dates to your tasks in Pronnel is a simple yet powerful way to ensure smooth project execution. By clearly defining when work should start and when it should be completed, you keep your team aligned, avoid confusion, and stay ahead of deadlines. Whether you're managing a small team or a complex project, setting these timelines ensures accountability, improves prioritization, and helps in tracking overall progress effortlessly. Start using Start and End Dates today — and experience how a structured approach can lead your projects to success with ease and clarity!

"How to Create a Simple Process Board from Scratch in Pronnel" to gain a deeper understanding of buckets.

FAQs

Are Start and End Dates mandatory for creating an item?

No, but it is highly recommended to set them for better tracking.

Can I set a time along with the Start and End Dates?

Yes! You can optionally add a time field for precision.

What happens if I don't move an item to the Final Bucket after the End Date?

You and all collaborators will keep receiving daily notifications until it is moved.

Can I customize how often the delayed notifications are sent?

Yes, you can configure the frequency in the project settings.

Will Pronnel automatically move items after End Date?

No, items must be manually moved to the Final bucket to stop delay notifications.

What if the Start Date is in the past when I create a new item?

The system will still accept it, but no pre-start notifications will be triggered.

Can I change Start and End Dates after the item is created?

Absolutely. You can edit these fields anytime unless restricted by project permissions.

What does the Final Bucket mean exactly?

It is the last stage of your workflow, indicating task completion.

Can I have multiple End Dates for one item?

No, but you can create additional custom date attributes if you need extra deadlines.

Do collaborators get notified before the Start Date?

No, only the primary assignee gets a reminder before the start time.