Map Metra

Program 1: Setting up the programme

Part 1 of the Program series. Set up a construction programme in Map Metra: import activities from the WBS, set the project start, and add tasks and milestones in the task sheet and Gantt chart. Everything shown can also be done by asking the Map Metra connector in Claude or ChatGPT.

How to

  1. 1

    Starting a programme

    An empty programme offers three ways to start. Import a file reads an Excel, CSV or MS Project schedule.

  2. 2

    The layout

    The toolbar sits at the top, with the timeline overview below it. The task sheet is on the left, and the Gantt chart is on the right.

  3. 3

    Project start

    Set the project start date. Every activity is scheduled from it, so all the dates move with it.

  4. 4

    Views

    View switches between the task sheet on its own, the Gantt chart on its own, or the split view of both. The arrow beside the timeline hides it, to give the schedule more room, and the same arrow brings it back.

  5. 5

    Columns

    Columns shows or hides each column, and its arrows change the order. Here, we move Predecessors and Successors up, next to the dates, because we use them in the next part.

  6. 6

    Adding tasks and milestones

    Select a row and choose Add task. The new task goes below it.

  7. 7

    Editing rows

    Right-click a row to add a task above or below, add a subtask, indent or outdent, duplicate or delete. Undo reverses the last change.

  8. 8

    Headings

    Headings roll up the activities beneath them. Collapse all shows just the headings, and Expand all opens them again.

  9. 9

    Zoom

    Zoom in and out to change the time scale of the Gantt chart. Scroll to today brings today's date into view.