Program 2: Durations and linking activities
Part 2 of the Program series. Set activity durations and link a construction programme with finish to start, start to start, lag and lead dependencies, by typing, dragging on the Gantt chart, or linking in sequence. Everything shown can also be done by asking the Map Metra connector in Claude or ChatGPT.
How to
- 1
Typing durations
Durations are in working days. Type each one in the Duration column: three days for site establishment, two for the topsoil strip, three for bulk fill, five for the slab, and fifteen for the external walls.
- 2
Several at once, and dragging
To set several durations at once, select the rows, and a selection bar appears at the bottom. Type four and press Enter, and the doors and windows both take four days.
- 3
Finish to start links
Now link the activities. Predecessors use the row number.
- 4
Linking on the chart
You can also link on the chart. Hover over a bar, and drag the dot at its end onto the next activity.
- 5
Link types and lag
A row number on its own means finish to start. Add SS for start to start, FF for finish to finish, or SF for start to finish, then plus or minus a number of days for a lag or a lead.
- 6
Link in sequence
To chain a run of activities, select them and choose Link in sequence. Each one follows the row above it.
- 7
Link from here
Site supervision runs for fifty five days. Right-click a bar for more options.
- 8
Successors
The Successors column shows the activities that depend on each row. It updates by itself, so you never type it.
- 9
Unlinking
To remove links, select the rows. The selection bar appears at the bottom of the screen, with the number selected, Link in sequence, and Unlink.