AI Copilot — Generate a Project from Templates
Time: ~10 minutes Level: Intermediate Applies to: Free · Pro · Enterprise
What You Will Learn
By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to:
- Trigger AI project generation from the Copilot or the AI Wizard
- Describe your project and let the AI build the schedule
- Review the generated WBS, activities, and relationships
- Validate the generated schedule with a quality check
- Export the generated schedule for use in other tools
Prerequisites
- A Kazinex account (any tier)
- No existing schedule needed — the AI creates one from scratch
Step 1 — Start the Generation
Ask the AI to create a new project.
- Open the AI Copilot panel (Ctrl+Shift+I).
- On the welcome screen, click the AI Wizard button, or type: "Generate a new project"
- Press Enter.
- The Copilot asks for details about your project.
What you should see: A prompt from the AI asking for project type, duration, and name — or you can provide everything in one statement.
Step 2 — Describe Your Project
Give the AI enough detail to create a realistic schedule.
- Type: "Generate a 12-month residential project called 'Villa Complex Phase 1'"
- Press Enter.
- The AI selects the appropriate template and begins generating the schedule.
- Wait 15-30 seconds for the generation to complete.
What you should see: A progress indicator while the AI processes. The Copilot uses built-in project templates (residential, commercial, infrastructure, industrial, renovation, and mixed-use) to create realistic schedules.
Step 3 — Review the Generated WBS
Examine the work breakdown structure the AI created.
- After generation completes, the new project loads automatically.
- Open the WBS tree in the left panel.
- Review the hierarchy — it typically includes phases like Mobilisation, Substructure, Superstructure, MEP, Finishes, External Works, and Commissioning.
What you should see: A multi-level WBS tree with realistic node names appropriate for a residential construction project. Each node has child nodes breaking down the work further.
Step 4 — Review the Generated Activities
Check the activities and their durations.
- Open the Activities tab.
- Scroll through the activity grid.
- Review activity names — they should be specific and realistic (for example, "Install Roof Trusses", "First Fix Plumbing", "External Rendering").
- Check durations — the AI assigns realistic durations based on the template and regional productivity rates.
What you should see: A fully populated grid with dozens of activities. Each activity has a name, duration, calendar assignment, and WBS placement.
Step 5 — Review Relationships and the Gantt
Verify the schedule logic.
- Look at the Gantt chart — dependency arrows connect activities in a logical sequence.
- Identify the critical path (red bars) running from start to finish.
- Verify that relationships make sense (for example, foundations before superstructure, superstructure before finishes).
What you should see: A logical Gantt chart with FS relationships forming a connected network. The critical path highlights the longest path through the project.
Step 6 — Review Milestones and Calendars
Check key dates and work patterns.
- Look for milestone activities (zero duration) marking phase gates (for example, "Structure Complete", "Practical Completion").
- Check the calendar assignments — the AI creates a calendar matching the project region.
- Verify the project start and finish dates align with your 12-month timeframe.
What you should see: Milestone diamonds in the Gantt at key transition points. The project calendar follows the regional work pattern (for example, Sunday–Thursday for GCC, Monday–Friday for UK/US).
Step 7 — Run a Quality Check
Validate the AI-generated schedule against industry standards.
- Open the Quality tab.
- Review the quality score.
- AI-generated schedules typically score 85+ out of the box because the templates include proper logic and durations.
- If any checks fail, use the Achieve a 90+ Quality Score tutorial to fix them.
What you should see: A quality score in the green range. Minor adjustments may be needed, but the fundamental logic should be sound.
Step 8 — Export the Generated Schedule (Optional)
Save the schedule in a format for other tools.
- If you want to use this schedule in Primavera P6, type: "Export this schedule as XER"
- For Microsoft Project, type: "Export as MSPDI"
- The file downloads to your Downloads folder.
What you should see: A download of the schedule in the chosen format. You can now import it into P6, MS Project, or other scheduling tools.
Step 9 — Verify Your Generated Project
Confirm the AI output meets your expectations.
- The WBS structure has at least 3 levels with realistic node names.
- Activities have appropriate durations and logical sequences.
- The Gantt shows a connected network with a clear critical path.
- Milestones mark key project phases.
- The quality score is 85 or above.
What you should see: A complete, professional project schedule generated entirely by AI, ready for refinement and real-world use.
What's Next?
- Print and Export Your Schedule — print or export the generated schedule
- Edit a Schedule — Full Walkthrough — refine the AI-generated schedule with manual edits
- Project Generation Reference — full documentation on generation templates and tiers
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Generation takes too long | Complex projects with large templates may take up to 30 seconds. If it exceeds 60 seconds, try again with a simpler description. |
| Generated WBS seems too simple | Add more detail to your prompt: "Generate a 12-month residential project with separate WBS nodes for civil, MEP, and landscaping." |
| Durations seem unrealistic | The AI uses regional productivity rates. If they do not match your project, adjust durations manually after generation. |
| No relationships generated | This is rare. If it happens, regenerate the project. The AI should always create a connected network. |
| Cannot export as XER | Ensure the project has been fully generated before exporting. The export requires a complete schedule with calculated dates. |