Accessing Projects Using TDNext
- Log into TDNext
- Open the Projects/Workspaces application
- Projects are listed on the left side as well as the search feature
Note: Staff will only see open and active projects if they are a resource or stakeholder on the project. To see all projects, an individual must have an Enterprise License and have been granted access to the Analysis application.
When in the Projects/Workspaces application, each project you're a resource on will appear in the left navigation. To view/interact with the project, expand the option by selecting the project. If you are the project or alternate project manager, the top component will be called "Manage." Otherwise, it will be called "Details".
Reports
There are a number of different reports that can be run using the Reports function within Projects/Workspaces.
These include Status Reports, Plan Reports, Time Reports, and Issue Reports. To access the available reports, expand the 'Reports' section on the left navigation and select the report you wish to run. Once you have identified the report you wish to run, you can select the date range and Project/Workspace you are running the report for. When finished, select 'Run Report.' You can also choose to export your report.
Manage
Clicking on the Project Title will display the project components available. The available components vary depending on an individual's role and involvement in the project. The project manager can update any section of an active project, including items such as start date, end date, project health, and project manager. The "Manage" feature is only available to the project manager.
- The action button is available only to the project manager. From this prompt, a project manager can:
- activate or deactivate the project
- close the project
- add resources
- apply a project template
- add a project-level baseline
- copy the project into a new project
- The update button
is available only to the project manager. From this prompt, a project manager can:
- update the information provided at the project creation
- change the project status, project health (red, yellow, or green), and the percent complete
- send notifications
- review the task summary,
- review hours associated with the project
- The refresh button
will update the project summary screen once changes have been made and saved.
- The print button
can be used to print sections of the project, including General, Description, Date Details, Hours / Budget Composite Score, Actual Hours.
Project Details
From the Project Details Menu, you can navigate to various sections of the project, including:
Project Components
As ITS finalizes reporting requirements, a list of the possible project components to use for each project will be published.
Details or Manage Summary Information
Information about the overall project. Items such as start date, end date, project health, project manager, etc
Team
List of resources assigned to the Project Team. This component shows each project resource and what they are working on. You will see that resource's feed if you click on a resource. You will also see "Working On" and "Assignments" derived from what has been assigned to this resource and what they have told TDX they are working on in the 'My Work' application.
Feed
An audit trail of all activity that occurs on the project. This includes status updates, resource assignments, completing tasks, comments, etc. The project feed is a chronological account of all activity on a project. You can see and filter project updates, messages, and other changes. You can filter the feed by checking/unchecking the type of feed entries you want to see and click "Refresh'. You can add new comments to a project's feed. If you add a comment to a feed, use the 'Notify' box. An email will be sent to the individual (s) you chose to notify to alert them that you have left a comment on the feed.
Announcements
Announcements to the project team, stakeholders, or contact. You can see or create project announcements, which can then be emailed to project contacts and will be visible in TDClient. To notify project resources and stakeholders about the announcement, check the 'Notify Users' checkbox. Announcements can have expiration dates.
Briefcase
Repository of files related to the project organized into folders. If you find yourself collecting or sharing files related to a project, consider sharing them via the briefcase so that they will be accessible later to all project resources.
Calendar
A project calendar that includes options to show time off, task dates, and other information that impacts the project. This calendar can summarize project timelines and dates of task assignments. Use the' My Work' application for a personal view of tasks and issues specific to you.
Contacts
People associated with this project. Automatically includes any listed project resources and stakeholders.
Issues
Adhoc or emergent issues related to the project Once the project is initiated, issues that arise are worth documenting. Once an issue is created, it can be given a status, responsibility and completion date. Issues show as an item of work for the responsible. Time can also be recorded on an issue.
Links
Arbitrary URLs / web links that pertain to the project, such as a link to a Google Drive folder or document
Plans
Where the project plans (schedules) are created, viewed, and managed. One project can have many plans. Plans can be of two types: waterfall or card wall. Only Project Managers or Enterprise License holders can add a plan to a project. However, once a plan is created, project resources, with necessary permissions, can add or modify tasks within existing plans.
Resources
Individuals who have been named as a resource on a project can be assigned issues and tasks, and they can update the briefcase, issues, and tasks using the client portal or TDNext.
Resource Pools
ITS is currently using organizations to pool resources. Staff are assigned to one of the following.
- Customer Service / Support / Lab Operations
- Enterprise Applications
- Information Security
- ISOS
- Networking and Communication
Functional Roles
Functional roles are meant to describe an individual's primary duty or duties within an organization. These roles are used primarily for resource management and capacity planning. For example, suppose a resource's functional role is Database Administrator. When that resource is added to several projects and other DBA colleagues are added, the allocated hours are rolled up to the DBA functional role. This allows insight into resource capacity to see the number of hours committed to DBAs.
A Knowledge Base article describes the differences. The article is titled "Functional Roles vs. Resource Pools".