--- sourceDocument: Zurich Strategic Portfolio Management sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/it-business-management Release : - zurich ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Zurich Strategic Portfolio Management ft:clusterId : - itbm bundleId : - itbm workflow : - Technology --- # Using Planning console - Legacy # Using Planning console - Legacy {#ariaid-title1} * Release version: Zurich * * Updated July 31, 2025 * * ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Using Planning console - Legacy The planning console is a centralized interface within the Project Management application that offers project managers a comprehensive view of projects, including hierarchical sub-projects, tasks in a work breakdown structure (WBS), and a Gantt chart. It supports collaboration through integration with Live Feed. However, note that the planning console is being prepared for future deprecation and will no longer be available for installation, though it will continue to be supported. ServiceNow recommends transitioning to the new Project Workspace, which provides an enhanced user interface for efficient project management. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **Sections:** The console includes a task list, Gantt chart, and banner icons for task execution. * **Business Rules:** Not triggered by default during operations; can be enabled via settings to customize behavior. * **Client Side Planning Console:** Enables quick project structure building in the browser without server saves, reducing time lags and improving scheduling performance. * **Automatic vs. Manual Projects:** * Automatic projects update all related task dates and durations automatically. * Manual projects require manual updates for task changes, with optional settings to adjust planned dates based on actual start dates. * The project type is set in the Calculation field and locked once the project starts. * **Gantt Chart:** Visualizes project timelines, task start and end dates, and dependencies. * **Parent-Child Relationships:** Manage task hierarchies through indentation in the WBS section, enabling easy organization of tasks. * **Task Dependencies:** Create predecessor relationships between tasks directly in the WBS section. * **Custom Columns:** Administrators can configure which columns appear in the planning console for tailored project views. * **Tutorial Walkthrough:** Available within the console to guide users through features and usage. ## Practical Use for ServiceNow Customers ServiceNow customers can use the planning console to efficiently visualize and manage project schedules, hierarchies, and dependencies in a single interface. The client-side planning option boosts responsiveness during project structuring. Customers managing automatic projects benefit from dynamic schedule updates, while manual projects allow controlled update processes. The ability to customize columns and create task relationships directly in the console streamlines project planning. However, customers should prepare to migrate to the new Project Workspace as the legacy planning console is being deprecated. The planning console is a centralized interface for the Project Management application. Important: Planning console is being prepared for future deprecation. It will be hidden and no longer available for installation but will continue to be supported. For details, see the [Deprecation Process \[KB0867184\]](https://hi.service-now.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0867184) article in the Now Support knowledge base. Use new [Project Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/AVd2b8Fx6FVQmdk6Wh~f2Q "ServiceNow Project Workspace helps project managers to plan and manage projects from a central location.") with enhanced UI to help you efficiently manage your projects. The planning console gives project managers a comprehensive view of all aspects of a project, including a hierarchical list of sub-projects, if any, project tasks that appear in a work breakdown structure (WBS) list, and the project Gantt chart. The console also integrates with Live Feed so your users can collaborate on projects. ## Sections in the planning console The planning console is divided into the following sections: * A list of the project tasks if you open the planning console for a project. * The Gantt chart. * Banner icons and lists for performing tasks on the console. {#c_TheProjectPlanningConsole__ul_v4m_y5d_2s} Figure 1. Example planning console For more information on the Gantt chart and the task relationships and dependencies that you can build, see [Gantt chart](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/eFWhmveRDXZCAlEDLlxROg "A Gantt chart on the planning console is a visual representation of a project timeline that shows start and end dates of tasks, and the dependencies between tasks.") and [Parent-child rollup task calculations](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Z5Fyk3hafR56oQ7JQQIuwg "Date changes, stage changes, and value calculations roll up from child tasks to parent tasks."). Note: The resources in the Assigned to column of the planning console can be constrained to be derived only from the allocated resource plans associated to the project or any of its tasks. ## Business rules By default, the business rules are not triggered during an operation in the planning console. You can enable the business rules using [Enable firing of Business Rules](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XhCqEyp5tidoy2L60s9vsA#r_InstalledWithProjectManagement__project_application_properties) property. Note: To enable this property, you must clear the [Enable Client Side Planning](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/bh3ZUjPB1aNaMcL8Wl0WJw "Enable client side planning in planning console to enable project scheduling at the client side.") check box. You can also enable business rules when [defining the columns for planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/yCU0cQF7xtA2LE2dRfOndA#add-display-column__table_irt_mrm_rx) using the Fire BR on Save field. ## Client side planning console {#c_TheProjectPlanningConsole__section_kst_1jf_sdb} Build your project structure quickly on the client side without having to save details in the server for each interaction in planning console. Enabling [Client side planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dTXJ6BcC8UZYuWEH9y~iDg "During calculation of project schedule in the planning console, it is possible to build your project structure quickly on the client side (browser) without having to save details in the server for each interaction. It prevents any time lags that occur after you perform any actions in the planning console, and improves the scheduling performance.") prevents any time lags that occur after you perform any actions in planning console, and improves the scheduling performance. ## Automatic and manual projects In an automatic project, any change to the dates, duration, or relationships of a project task automatically updates all the tasks in the entire project, including the project record, as necessary. The automatic project icon (![screenshot for automatic project icon]()) appears adjacent to the project name. In a manual project, changes to the dates, duration, or relationships of a project task do not automatically update all tasks. So parent task dates do not reflect any changes made to dependents or child tasks. The only change that is made automatically is when a task date or duration change updates dates and duration of the project record. In a manual project, any update to actual start date does not update the planned end date of the project or project task. However, enabling the [project property](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/XhCqEyp5tidoy2L60s9vsA#r_InstalledWithProjectManagement__project_application_properties) Enable alter of planned date with Actual for Manual Project updates the planned end date from actual start date and planned duration. The manual project icon (![screenshot for manual project icon]()) appears adjacent to the project name. You can specify if a project is automatic or manual in the Calculation field on the Project form. This field becomes read-only when the project starts. ## Tutorial A tutorial walk through is available in the console. It shows you all the features of the console and how to use them. Access the walk through within the help icon (![screenshot for help icon]()). * **[Open the project planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/~ZA14tvEMU~puG3rDntocg)** Access the planning console to perform the planning for the project. * **[Planning console tasks](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/WdfT~OzJZxqTKM~_9kRr6A)** You can perform several tasks on the planning console that you can perform on lists and forms, such as creating project tasks and copying projects. You can also perform several tasks unique to the console. * **[Client side planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/dTXJ6BcC8UZYuWEH9y~iDg)** During calculation of project schedule in the planning console, it is possible to build your project structure quickly on the client side (browser) without having to save details in the server for each interaction. It prevents any time lags that occur after you perform any actions in the planning console, and improves the scheduling performance. * **[Gantt chart](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/eFWhmveRDXZCAlEDLlxROg)** A Gantt chart on the planning console is a visual representation of a project timeline that shows start and end dates of tasks, and the dependencies between tasks. * **[Create a parent-child relationship on the planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ZIZDOgs~HqZwXOowZZ57Qg)** The WBS section of the planning console allows you to create parent-child relationships for new tasks or move around existing tasks in a new parent-child relationship. The position of a task in the hierarchy and the level of indentation determine the parent-child relationship it has with the tasks above or below it. * **[Predecessor dependencies in the planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/U51QdPGuta_im6Uv6lyudA)** In the WBS section of the planning console, you can create dependencies between tasks by specifying a series of values. * **[Custom columns in the planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/FJO4l8h~dBw_JFuOyz5xIQ)** In addition to the regular columns that are provided in the base system, as the PPS admin, you can configure which columns appear in the planning console. * **[Create a dependency from the planning console](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/k9p_f8DaF8JSBRO2M9923A)** Create a dependency between two tasks on the planning console.