Option to Control "Ready to Start" Date

[#1]

Currently, the only way to control the date that a task can start is to have an enforced predecessor that is not marked complete until the day before you'd like it to start. We'd like to have the option to prevent a task from being started until a certain date, regardless of predecessor status. This could be accomplished via task constraint or a separate setting.

[#2]

Would the "Must Start On" task constraint work for you?

[#3]

@TravisGrogan1 I originally thought that would work also, but the dependent task is still "ready to start" if the predecessor is completed, even with that task constraint.

[#4]

Hi @jenv3,

As Designed, Workfront defers to humans to start a task whenever the humans choose to do so (typically by changing the Status, entering an Actual Start Date, or logging some time against it), so to meet your requirement to prevent that behavior, you'll need to implement something "reactive", such as:

• tag such tasks (ideally via template tasks) with a special custom parameter such as a checkbox called Hold Your Horses
• create a custom report that checks for any task with Hold Your Horses = true, and whose Actual Start Date is not null, and whose Planned Completion Date is AFTER today ($$NOW)
• circulate any such offenders in hand (with remedial training) to those who jumped the gun
• for repeat offenders (or if so inclined), consider, summarily bulk updating such offenders back to "New" (undoing the premature launch); and/or if you have Fusion, writing a job to automatically do so

Regards,

Doug