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Create a Schedule from Scratch

Time: ~20 minutes Level: Intermediate Applies to: Pro · Enterprise

What You Will Learn​

By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to:

  • Create a new project using the 5-step wizard
  • Set up a project calendar with work patterns and exceptions
  • Build a WBS structure with meaningful levels
  • Add activities with durations using inline editing
  • Create relationships between activities
  • Run a CPM calculation to see calculated dates and float

Prerequisites​

  • A Kazinex account on the Pro or Enterprise tier
  • Basic understanding of WBS, activities, and relationships (see the Editor Reference)

Step 1 — Open the New Project Wizard​

Start by creating a blank project.

  1. Click New Project in the toolbar.
  2. The 5-step wizard opens: Project Info, Calendar, WBS Structure, Schedule Options, and Summary.

What you should see: A modal dialog with a stepper showing 5 steps. Step 1 (Project Info) is active.

Step 2 — Enter Project Information​

Provide the basic details for your project.

  1. Enter a Project Name (for example, "Villa Complex Phase 1").
  2. Set the Planned Start Date (for example, 01-Jul-2026).
  3. Set the Planned Finish Date (for example, 30-Jun-2027).
  4. Optionally set the Data Date (usually the same as the planned start).
  5. Click Next.

What you should see: The form fields accept your input. The wizard validates that the finish date is after the start date.

Step 3 — Set Up the Calendar​

Configure a weekly work pattern and add any exceptions.

  1. On the Calendar step, you see a default 5-day work week (Monday–Friday).
  2. To change the work pattern (for example, Sunday–Thursday for GCC), toggle the day buttons.
  3. Set the daily work hours (for example, 08:00–17:00 with a 1-hour lunch break).
  4. Add holiday exceptions by clicking Add Exception, selecting a date, and entering a name (for example, "National Day — 02-Dec-2026").
  5. Click Next.

What you should see: A visual weekly calendar showing work days (highlighted) and non-work days (greyed out). Exceptions appear in a list below the calendar.

Step 4 — Build the WBS Structure​

Create a work breakdown structure to organise your activities.

  1. On the WBS Structure step, a root node already exists with your project name.
  2. Click Add Child to create WBS Level 2 nodes. Add four nodes:
    • Mobilisation
    • Civil Works
    • MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
    • Commissioning
  3. Click on Civil Works and add Level 3 children: Substructure, Superstructure, Finishes.
  4. Click Next.

What you should see: A tree control showing your WBS hierarchy. Each node is expandable and shows its level number.

Step 5 — Configure Schedule Options​

Set the calculation defaults for your project.

  1. On the Schedule Options step, choose the Duration Type (for example, Fixed Duration & Units).
  2. Choose the Percent Complete Type (for example, Duration).
  3. Choose the Critical Activity Type (for example, Total Float ≤ 0).
  4. Review other defaults and adjust if needed.
  5. Click Next.

What you should see: Dropdown menus for each schedule option with sensible defaults pre-selected. These match Primavera P6 scheduling conventions.

Step 6 — Review and Create​

Confirm all settings before creating the project.

  1. On the Summary step, review your project name, dates, calendar, WBS structure, and options.
  2. Verify everything looks correct.
  3. Click Create.

What you should see: A brief loading indicator, then the Editor opens with your new project loaded. The WBS tree is visible in the sidebar, and the grid shows an empty activity list under each WBS node.

Step 7 — Add Activities Using Inline Editing​

Populate your WBS nodes with activities.

  1. In the grid, click the + (Add Activity) button under the Mobilisation WBS node.
  2. Type the activity name: Site Establishment. Press Tab to move to the Duration column.
  3. Enter a duration: 10d (10 working days). Press Enter to confirm.
  4. Add more activities:
    • Under Mobilisation: "Temporary Facilities" (5d), "Equipment Mobilisation" (8d)
    • Under Substructure: "Excavation" (15d), "Foundation Concrete" (20d), "Backfill" (5d)
    • Under Superstructure: "Columns & Beams" (25d), "Slab Pour" (15d)
    • Under MEP: "Electrical Rough-In" (20d), "Plumbing Rough-In" (15d)
    • Under Commissioning: "Testing" (10d), "Handover" (5d)

What you should see: Activities appear in the grid under their respective WBS nodes. Each activity shows its name, original duration, and the WBS path.

Step 8 — Create Relationships​

Link activities to define the work sequence.

  1. Open the Relationship Editor from the toolbar or right-click context menu.
  2. Select Site Establishment as the predecessor and Temporary Facilities as the successor.
  3. Set the relationship type to Finish-to-Start (FS).
  4. Click Add Relationship.
  5. Create more relationships to build a logical network:
    • Temporary Facilities → Equipment Mobilisation (FS)
    • Equipment Mobilisation → Excavation (FS)
    • Excavation → Foundation Concrete (FS)
    • Foundation Concrete → Backfill (FS)
    • Backfill → Columns & Beams (FS)
    • Columns & Beams → Slab Pour (FS)
    • Slab Pour → Electrical Rough-In (FS)
    • Slab Pour → Plumbing Rough-In (FS)
    • Electrical Rough-In → Testing (FS)
    • Plumbing Rough-In → Testing (FS)
    • Testing → Handover (FS)

What you should see: Dependency arrows appear in the Gantt chart connecting the linked bars. The Relationship Editor shows a list of all created relationships.

Step 9 — Run the CPM Calculation​

Calculate the schedule to determine dates, float, and the critical path.

  1. Click the Calculate button in the toolbar (or press F9).
  2. Wait for the CPM engine to process.
  3. The calculation results panel shows any warnings or errors.

What you should see: All activities now have calculated Early Start, Early Finish, Late Start, and Late Finish dates. The grid shows Total Float values. Critical path activities display in red in the Gantt chart (those with zero or negative float).

Step 10 — Review the Results​

Verify your schedule makes sense.

  1. Check that the project finish date matches your expectations.
  2. Look at activities with Total Float = 0 — these form the critical path.
  3. Look at activities with positive float — these have scheduling flexibility.
  4. Verify that all relationships are correct by tracing the Gantt arrows.
  5. Add the Total Float column to the grid if it is not already visible.

What you should see: A fully calculated schedule with a clear critical path from start to finish. Non-critical activities show positive float. The Gantt chart displays a logical sequence of work.

Step 11 — Verify Your Work​

Confirm you have a complete, valid schedule.

  1. The project has a defined WBS structure with at least 3 levels.
  2. Activities exist under each WBS node with realistic durations.
  3. All activities have at least one predecessor and one successor (except the first and last).
  4. The CPM calculation completes without errors.
  5. The critical path is identifiable in the Gantt chart.

What you should see: A professional schedule ready for further refinement. You can now run a quality check, export to XER, or share with collaborators.

What's Next?​

Troubleshooting​

IssueSolution
New Project button is greyed outVerify you are on a Pro or Enterprise plan. Free tier cannot create new projects.
Activities show no calculated datesRun the CPM calculation (F9). Check that relationships are in place — unlinked activities cannot be scheduled.
Critical path is not highlightedAdd the Total Float column and look for activities with float ≤ 0. Check Gantt settings for critical path colour.
Calendar exceptions not applyingEnsure the exception dates fall within the project date range. Verify the calendar is assigned to the project.
Relationship arrows not visibleOpen Gantt Settings and enable dependency line display.