Planning a project from a template
Prerequisites
- Access to the Management > Project planning (PR011) menu.
- Previously configured project template.
Introduction
Project templates simplify the creation and planning of new projects, as they allow for reusing already defined configurations and structures. When a template is applied, its data is automatically copied to the new project, reducing the configuration time and ensuring standardization.
Adding a project from a template is one of the record creation resources displayed in the Project planning (PR011) menu.
This article presents the process of planning a project from a previously created template. As an example, we will use a software development template, illustrated in the GIF at the end of the steps, showing how to apply it efficiently to your work flow.
Planning a project from a template
1. Access the Management > Project planning (PR011) menu.
2. Expand the button and click on Create project using wizard.
3. On the creation wizard screen, select the From a template option.
4. In the Project field, select the template from which the new project will be created.
5. Enable the Execute request option to indicate that the project aims to execute a project request from the Request component. In this case, the system will display a list with the requests the user is responsible for executing. Select the request that will be executed with the creation of the project.
- For this feature to work correctly, the SoftExpert Request component must be part of the solutions acquired by your organization.
- Click here for more information on issuing requests.
- Requests can also be executed through the Request execution to-do task. If the wizard is accessed through the to-do task, the option will not be displayed.
6. Click on Next.
7. In the First steps stage, enter an ID #, a name, and the party responsible for the project.
- If the project type is configured with the use of an identification mask, at the time of generating the automatic ID #, the respective mask will be generated. The ID # generated through the mask can only be edited if the "Enable ID # change" option is checked on the project type data screen. If the use of an identification mask is not configured, but, in the general parameters, the "The project ID # is read-only" option has been checked, editing the ID # will not be possible.
- The name will be defined by the system with the name of the template from which the project is being created, but it can be edited.
8. In the Copy options section, enable the options corresponding to the information you wish to copy from the template to the new project.
9. Click on Next.
10. The Attribute step will display the attributes of the template. Edit or fill in the desired fields.
The Attribute step will be displayed if attributes have been added to the project type of the template.
11. In the APQP/PPAP step, select the type that will classify the APQP to be created from the template and define the item involved in the APQP. Based on the selected item, it is possible to add the revision of the item that will be used in the APQP. If the item has more than one customer associated, select the one that will be used in the APQP.
The APQP/PPAP step will be displayed if, in the type of the template, SoftExpert APQP automation has been configured.
12. Click on Next.
13. In the Recurrence step, define how often the project will occur.
Recurrence step fields
Recurrence pattern
Define how the task occurrence frequency will be set:
Weekly: the project will occur after a certain number of weeks and on specific days. In the Every ___ week(s) on field, enter the desired number of weeks and then check the days of the week that correspond to the days on which the project will occur. For example: every 1 week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Monthly: the project will occur on a specific day of the month. To this end, select one of the following options:
- On the __ every __ month(s): select this option in order for the recurring project to occur on a certain day, after a certain number of months. For example: On the 15 every 1 month.
- The ____ every __ month(s): select this option in order for the recurring project to occur on a certain day of the week, always after a certain number of months. For example: The last Wednesday every 1 month.
Yearly: the project will occur on a specific day of the year. To this end, select one of the following options:
- On ___: select this option in order for the recurring project to occur on a specific date of the year. For example, on June 29th.
- The ___ of __: select this option in order for the recurring project to occur on a certain day of the month in the year. For example: the last Wednesday of June.
Range of recurrence
In this section, define the period during which the project recurrence will be applied:
Starts on: this field is automatically filled in the by the system with the current date, but it can be edited. In this case, select the date from which the project recurrence will be valid. Then, use one of the following options to define when the recurrence will end:
- Ends after __ occurrences: select this option and enter after how many occurrences the recurrence of the project will end.
- Ends on __: select this option and enter a specific date on which the recurrence of the project will end.
- The Recurrence step will be displayed if the template is a recurring project added through the schedule of a program.
- Once the recurring project is created and the program planning is finished, whenever the recurrence date is reached, the system will create a new project automatically in the project planning menu.
14. After filling in the necessary fields, click on the Finish button.
15. In the Summary step, an overview of the new project is displayed. Click on the Project data option to edit the data of the project, if necessary, and on the Project schedule option to edit its structure.

Conclusion
By following the steps in this article, it is possible to plan a project from a template successfully!
The subprojects and tasks from the template will be copied with a new identification based on the ID # of the new project, in accordance with the level on which they appear.
If you have any doubts about editing project data, read the content of the Creating a project template article. As for doubts about editing the project structure, refer to the Adding tasks to the schedule article.