Start dates, due dates and duration

How dates and duration work together.

Project ManagersProject Manager · Team Member Last updated 13 Aug 2026

Dates and duration

Each task has a start date, due date and duration (in working days).

  • Auto Scheduled (default): the engine calculates the due date from start date + duration. Change the duration and the due date moves.
  • Manual: you control all dates yourself — the engine will not recalculate.
  • Forward planning: start date is fixed, due date is calculated.
  • Backward planning: due date is fixed, start date is calculated backwards from it.

Duration is in working days, so weekends and UK holidays are excluded.

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