Knowing what needs to be commissioned is only half the job. Knowing when it happens and in what order is what keeps a data center project on track. CxPlanner's timeline and Gantt tools let you plan every checklist across every level, visualize the full schedule, and manage dependencies without ever leaving the platform.
When and why to use this
Use this guide once your assets are created and checklists are assigned. Timeline planning is the next step after project setup. It turns your commissioning scope into an executable schedule with clear ownership and sequencing.
Only users with the project role Manager or higher can plan and edit commissioning schedules.
- Planning test sequences: Assign start and end dates to checklists across Level 2 through 5.
- Visualizing the full program: See every commissioning activity on a single Gantt timeline.
- Managing dependencies: Define which checklists must finish before others can begin.
- Bulk scheduling: Plan entire levels at once, or import your schedule directly from Excel.
How to plan checklists directly in the asset view
The fastest way to schedule a full commissioning level is directly from the asset view. Set dates at the folder level and CxPlanner pushes them down to every checklist underneath automatically.
- Go to your project and navigate to Assets
- Select an asset, for example: ATS
- Locate the Start date and End date columns
- Select a date in the grey row for a level, for example: Level 3
- CxPlanner automatically assigns those dates to all underlying checklists
Changes at folder level affect every checklist below it. If you need different dates for individual checklists, use the one-at-a-time method below.
How to plan one checklist at a time
When individual checklists within a level have different timelines, plan them manually. This gives you precise control over each activity without affecting the rest of the level.
- Click the Start date field for a specific checklist
- Select a date
- Repeat for the End date
How to import a plan from Excel
If your schedule already exists in Excel, you don't need to re-enter it manually. Import it directly into CxPlanner and your dates populate across the project instantly.
- Go to Asset Overview and click Options
- Select Import
- Upload your Excel file with the planned dates
How to use the Gantt timeline for planning
The Gantt timeline gives you a visual, drag-and-drop view of your full commissioning schedule. It follows Microsoft Project logic, so it will feel familiar if your team already works that way. Use it to adjust plans in real time as the project evolves.
- Go to the menu and select Gantt Timeline
- Expand levels and folders to view planned checklists
- Drag bars left or right to adjust individual dates
- Move entire folders to update all underlying activities at once
- Edit individual checklists directly in the Gantt view for fine-tuned adjustments
Status is color-coded directly on the Gantt bars: green for approved, red for failed, and default color for planned. Your team sees progress at a glance without opening a single checklist.
How to create dependencies between checklists
Dependencies enforce the correct test sequence. When one checklist must finish before the next can begin, define that relationship in CxPlanner and the schedule enforces it automatically.
- Select the checklist you want to make dependent
- Define a dependency to another checklist
- Use an end-to-start relationship so the linked checklist starts only when the first one finishes
For complex projects, use level dependencies instead of linking individual checklists. This keeps your plan manageable and prevents dependency chains that are hard to untangle later.
Planning methods at a glance
CxPlanner gives you four ways to build your schedule. Pick the one that fits where you are in the project.
- Bulk via level: Assign dates to all checklists under a level in one action. Best for initial planning.
- Manual: Set dates one checklist at a time. Best for fine-tuning individual activities.
- Excel import: Upload a pre-built schedule. Best when migrating from an existing plan.
- Gantt drag-and-drop: Adjust the plan visually in real time. Best for ongoing schedule management and stakeholder reviews.
Troubleshooting common scheduling issues
Most scheduling problems come down to one of four causes. Find yours and fix it fast.
- Dates aren't updating correctly: You may have selected the wrong row. Make sure you're clicking the grey level row, not an individual checklist row.
- Plan changes unintentionally: Moving a folder updates all underlying checklists. If you only meant to adjust one checklist, use individual editing instead of moving the folder.
- Plan is getting too complex: Too many individual dependencies create brittle schedules. Switch to level dependencies for a more robust and manageable plan.
- Gantt isn't showing all data: Levels are collapsed. Expand all folders in the Gantt view to see your full schedule.
Keep your commissioning program on schedule
A commissioning schedule that lives in CxPlanner is a live document. Every date change, dependency update, and status shift is reflected immediately for your whole team. No more emailing updated Gantt charts or chasing down who moved a date.
If you haven't set up your project structure yet, start with creating a data center project in under 5 minutes. Or book a demo and we'll show you how timeline planning works for your specific scope.