The first step to using the External Master Schedule Alignment tool is to build a template file in P6. This will require Creating User Defined Fields and Global Changes: if you need access to these settings please talk to your P6 Admins.
Follow these steps below to build out a P6 Template to be Touchplan compatible:
Start by creating User Defined Fields named exactly as documented here:
Field Name | Field Type |
Touchplan Finish | Finish Date |
Touchplan Ticket URL (optional) | Text |
Touchplan Finish Difference | Integer |
Create Global Change to calculate Touchplan Finish Difference
Set the Global Change Name to 'Calc-FinishDiffDays.'
Set the 'If' logic. (Tip: Extend the start/end date range to 1 year before and 1 year after the Project Start or Finish date to make sure Touchplan tasks that fall outside of the Master Schedule start/finish will be captured in the calculation.)
Set the ‘Then’ logic:
Parameter: Touchplan Finish Diff
Is: ‘=’
Parameter/Value: Finish
Operator: ‘-’
Parameter Value: Touchplan Finish
Select OK to save your changes.
This next step is optional but can set you up for success throughout this process. Create a Filter for 'Touchplan Differences' to see the differences between Project Finish dates and Touchplan Finish dates in P6 after downloading the Touchplan Ticket dates.
Then simply create and download an XLSX Activity export. Below are the exact field names required for a successful export:
Activity ID: This will match the External Schedule ID in Touchplan |
Activity Status: P6 required field |
WBS Code: Required field to make sure the organization of tasks remain the same |
Activity Name: Optional field |
Finish: This will format Touchplan Finish Date column |
Touchplan Finish: Comparison column holding the Touchplan finish date |
Touchplan Ticket URL: Optional field |
