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Tutorial: Build Advanced Charts

Advanced charting tutorial

This tutorial builds two advanced charts on a single blueprint page: a scatter chart showing float vs. duration, and a milestone trend analysis (MTA) chart.

Before you start​

You need a Planner project with a baseline, milestones, and at least 30 activities. You need Designer access in Report Forge.

Part 1 — Scatter chart: float vs. duration​

Step 1 — Add the chart component​

  1. Open the blueprint in the Output Designer.
  2. Select Insert → Chart.
  3. Choose Scatter from the chart type picker.
  4. Drag to size the component to roughly half the page width.

Step 2 — Bind the axes​

  1. In the Properties panel, set the X axis field to Duration (remaining).
  2. Set the Y axis field to Total Float.
  3. Set the Label field to Activity ID.

Step 3 — Colour by status​

  1. Set the Series field to Status.
  2. Report Forge assigns default colours per status. Adjust if needed in Colour scheme.

Step 4 — Filter out summaries​

  1. Add a filter: Activity type ≠ Summary.
  2. Preview. Confirm each dot represents one non-summary activity.

Part 2 — Milestone trend analysis​

Step 1 — Add the MTA component​

  1. Select Insert → Chart → Milestone Trend Analysis.
  2. Place it in the right half of the page.

Step 2 — Select milestones​

  1. In the Properties panel, set the Filter to Activity type = Milestone.
  2. Choose up to 8 milestones to track. Use the milestone picker or set a filter on WBS level.

Step 3 — Configure reporting periods​

  1. Set the Period to monthly.
  2. Set the Start period and End period to cover your project reporting window.

Step 4 — Preview​

Preview the blueprint. The MTA chart should show each milestone as a line plotting its forecast finish date across reporting periods. A flat line means no drift; a rising line means delay.

Save and publish​

  1. Save the draft.
  2. Select Publish.
  3. Add version note: Added scatter and MTA charts.