Actual vs Planned in a Task Sheet?

Amy Marable

Hi Smartsheet Community!

I have a task sheet that needs to track the planned and actual dates for 4 different date columns. I am unable to find a way to add planned and actual columns, has anyone successfully done this? If so, then I'd appreciate your feedback.

Thanks!

Amy

SoS | Dan Palenchar

Hello @Amy Marable

I agree with @Alpha Chucky that you can add Date columns for "Actual" and "Planned" and update these as you need in your Sheet. You can create multiple sets of these as you need them - you mentioned having 4 date columns, so you could use these 4 columns your "Planned" Dates and then add 4 more for "Actuals". Or you could 8 columns to get 4 sets of "Planned" and "Actuals" based on the existing 4.

Smartsheet does have a built in Baselines feature that may help you, though if you have a need for multiple sets of these it might not be sufficient.

See: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2482093-baselines

👨🏼‍💻 Dan Palenchar | School of Sheets Solutions Consulting (Smartsheet Aligned Gold Partner)

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Alpha Chucky

Hi Amy! I am going to assume you are adding your calendar items in rows (one below the other). If so, than, I recommend a column with a drop down called Actual vs Planned. you may need more than one if you have dates in multiple columns.

Amy Marable

Thanks Alpha Chucky. I am trying to maintain the planned date against the actual dates in columns and across rows in a sheet, not a project plan.

SoS | Dan Palenchar

Hello @Amy Marable

I agree with @Alpha Chucky that you can add Date columns for "Actual" and "Planned" and update these as you need in your Sheet. You can create multiple sets of these as you need them - you mentioned having 4 date columns, so you could use these 4 columns your "Planned" Dates and then add 4 more for "Actuals". Or you could 8 columns to get 4 sets of "Planned" and "Actuals" based on the existing 4.

Smartsheet does have a built in Baselines feature that may help you, though if you have a need for multiple sets of these it might not be sufficient.

See: https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/2482093-baselines

👨🏼‍💻 Dan Palenchar | School of Sheets Solutions Consulting (Smartsheet Aligned Gold Partner)

If this response helped you please help me & the community by accepting it and reacting as you see fit (💡insightful, ⬆️ Vote Up, and/or ❤️Awesome).

🆘 Smartsheet Consulting Inquiries: schoolofsheets.com/workwithus

▶️ Smartsheet Tutorial Videos: schoolofsheets.com/youtube

Amy Marable

Thanks Dan. I am not sure if this will work for this sheet, but will explore the recommendations. Thanks again!