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Prerequisites

  • A working Gantt chart with dependency links configured (see Create and Configure Dependency Links)
  • Access to Polarion Administration > Configuration Properties (for default settings) or the wiki page editor (for per-widget settings)

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Enable Auto-Scheduling by Default

To make auto-scheduling active on all Gantt widgets by default, set the following administration property:
  1. Navigate to Administration > Configuration Properties (project or global level).
  2. Add the property:
nextedy.gantt.default.auto_scheduling=true
This sets the default for new and existing Gantt widgets. The default value is false.
This property serves as the default toggle. Once auto-scheduling is set on a specific widget, the widget-level setting takes precedence.

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Toggle Auto-Scheduling at Runtime

Users can toggle auto-scheduling on and off using the toolbar button during an editing session. The auto-scheduling toggle is available in the Gantt toolbar when the chart is in edit mode. When auto-scheduling is active:
  • Moving a task automatically pushes successor tasks forward to maintain dependency constraints
  • Shortening or extending a task adjusts the start dates of successors accordingly
  • The rescheduling is triggered only when you change an item or modify a dependency link

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How Auto-Scheduling Works

Auto-scheduling enforces finish-to-start constraints between linked tasks. When you move Task A forward by 3 days, Task B (which depends on Task A) automatically shifts its start date forward by 3 days as well. This propagation continues through the entire dependency chain.
ActionResult with Auto-Scheduling ONResult with Auto-Scheduling OFF
Move predecessor forwardSuccessors shift forwardSuccessors stay in place
Shorten predecessorSuccessors may shift earlierNo change
Create new dependency linkSuccessor adjusts to satisfy constraintDependency arrow drawn, no date change
Delete dependency linkSuccessor dates unchangedDependency arrow removed
Auto-scheduling operates on the client side during your editing session. If multiple users edit the same Gantt simultaneously, the last save wins. There is no built-in conflict detection for concurrent edits.

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Combine Auto-Scheduling with Manual Control

In complex project hierarchies, you may want auto-scheduling for lower-level tasks but manual control for top-level milestones. You can achieve this by:
  • Using the readonly property on specific items via Item Script to prevent them from being moved by auto-scheduling
  • Setting specific work item types to Milestone presentation mode, which treats them as fixed date markers
For waterfall projects where top-level phases have fixed dates but sub-tasks should auto-schedule within those phases, combine the parent bounds constraint with auto-scheduling. Enable auto-scheduling for task-level items and set parent items to Derived Schedule mode so they automatically span their children.

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Enable Critical Path Alongside Auto-Scheduling

Auto-scheduling pairs well with critical path analysis. To enable both: 
nextedy.gantt.default.auto_scheduling=true
nextedy.gantt.default.critical_path=true
With both features active, the Gantt highlights the longest dependency chain in red while automatically maintaining schedule consistency when tasks are moved.

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Verification

After enabling auto-scheduling:
  1. Open your Gantt chart in edit mode.
  2. Verify the auto-scheduling toggle is active in the toolbar.
  3. Drag a predecessor task to a new date.
  4. You should now see all dependent successor tasks shift automatically to maintain the dependency constraint.

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See Also

KB ArticlesSupport TicketsSource Code
  • prod-gantt-src/com.nextedy.polarion.gantt.client/src/js/config.js
  • prod-gantt-src/com.nextedy.polarion.gantt.client/src/js/gantt.js
  • prod-gantt-src/com.nextedy.polarion.gantt.client/cypress/e2e/lightbox/autoAssignee.cy.ts
  • prod-gantt-src/com.nextedy.polarion.gantt.client/src/types/gantt-extended.d.ts
  • prod-gantt-src/com.nextedy.polarion.gantt/src/com/nextedy/polarion/gantt/projectCalendar/polarion-config/custom fields/scheduletweak-custom-fields.xml