Task Packages

Task packages are resources that are available for use throughout the project and can be managed via the Resource Manager. They represent groups of tasks that are performed together at scheduled intervals, for the most efficient allocation of resources and downtime management.

The Task Package window allows you to create, view and edit task packages. It can be accessed from the Scheduled Task Packaging window by clicking Add New Package or Edit Selected Package or double-clicking an existing package. It can also be accessed from the Maintenance Task window by clicking the Create New or View/Edit icon in the Task Package wizard, which is accessed from the Task Package field that appears when you select the Override task scheduling properties with a task package option for a preventive, inspection or on-condition task that is scheduled to be performed at fixed intervals.

Finally, it can be accessed from the Task Packages page of the Resource Manager by choosing Home > Edit > New, by selecting a task package and choosing Home > Edit > View or by double-clicking a task package.

For a new resource, a name will be proposed automatically based on the default naming criteria established for the current database (See Define Default Name Formats window). You can replace this with your own name of up to 150 characters, if desired. Remember that the name and identifiers are the primary way in which your team will be able to find the Synthesis resources you need for your analyses.

The following settings are available to configure the task package:

In the Perform every field, enter the length of the interval at which the task package will be performed. You must specify time units for this value.
The Packaging Intervals fields allow you to specify a range of scheduled intervals suggested to be incorporated into the task package. The time units for these fields are the same as those specified for the Perform every field. For example, if you enter 150 hours in the Start time field and 200 hours in the End time field, then tasks that are scheduled to be performed at fixed intervals from 150 to 200 hours should be considered for inclusion in the task package to be performed at the scheduled time of the task package rather than at their individually scheduled times.

Identifiers allows you to enter additional identifying information that can be used to search for this resource.

History provides information about the creation and last modification of the resource. If the history log has been activated at the project level, you can click the View Item History icon to open the Record History Log for the resource.

You can collapse or expand all nodes in the hierarchy using the Collapse All and Expand All icons.

You can resize the columns by pointing to the column splitter. When the pointer becomes a double-headed arrow, drag the splitter to the desired location. You can restore the column widths to their original settings by clicking the Restore Column Widths icon.

Information about the creation and last modification of the task package is displayed at the bottom of the window.

For an existing resource, a link at the bottom of the properties window indicates how many times it is currently being used. If you need more information, click the link or the Trace Usage icon.

This opens the Dependency Viewer, which allows you to explore both where the resource is being used and what other resources are associated with it.