If you have project templates activated in BigTime, you won’t need to start from scratch every time you add a new project to your account. The project template’s feature will let you create basic templates that can be applied to multiple projects so long as they share similar characteristics. For example, if you run a software firm and work on a lot of app design projects, you can create an “App Design” template and use it every time you add a new app design project to your BigTime project list.
Creating a new project template is pretty simple. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow.
1. After you’ve turned the project template feature on, you’ll see a new tab under your MY COMPANY navigation tab labeled PROJECT TEMPLATES.
2. Clicking this tab will take you to your project template editor page. You’ll see a button in the top left corner of this window labeled NEW PROJECT TEMPLATE.
3. When you click this button, a pop-up window will appear where you can begin creating your template. You’ll first be prompted to fill out three fields: TEMPLATE NAME, PROJECT TYPE and DESCRIPTION.
The TEMPLATE NAME field is the only required field in this window, and unless you add a name for your template, you won’t be able to proceed. To fill out the PROJECT TYPE field, you’ll need to make a selection from a picklist by clicking the GRAY ARROW. The choices on this list are pulled from the project type field values you created for your firm. If the project type you’d like to add doesn’t exist, you can click the EDIT VALUES button at the bottom of this picklist. This will take you to your FIELD VALUES window, where you can add the new project type.
4. Once you’ve added at least a name for your project, you can click the ADD button.
BigTime will then generate your new project template and take you to a screen where you can add more specific details about your template. Here, you can get started building your template.
You’ll see your template detail fields organized under four tabs: BASIC SETTINGS, TEAM, RATES and TASKS. Take a look at this article if you’re curious about each of these tabs and what fields they contain.
5. Once you’re satisfied with how you’ve created your template, you can save it by clicking the blue SAVE CHANGES button at the bottom of your screen.
Now you’re ready to start using your new template! Again, project templates are meant to serve as a basic outline for your projects. When you create a template to a new project, you'll still be able to customize the project details and change things that were set up in the template. Check out the articles below for info about next steps.