Create a Plan
Projects and programs include a plan by default, but you can also add multiple plans. The default plan shares the same name as the project.
Before creating a plan, set the following preferences values as required:
• Preference Name: Default Execution Mode
This preference specifies the execution mode when creating a plan.
When set to Manual (default), you can manage the plan execution by editing activities and milestones at any stage of the plan. You can also adjust deadlines, duration, and start and finish dates.
When set to Automatic, activities are executed automatically based on precedence and date constraints. This triggers tasks and notifications without the need for manual control.
• Preference Name: Default Linked Deliverables
This preference specifies how deliverables that are linked to an activity are managed and tracked within the plan.
When set to False (default), linked deliverables are managed independently, allowing for individual scheduling and progress tracking.
When set to True, linked deliverables inherit scheduling attributes from the associated plan activity and are synchronized for progress tracking and completion.
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• If Enable Create Plan for Product preference is set to Yes, you can also use the following method to add plans to a product context.
• Once you create a plan, it cannot be deleted.
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.2. From the New Plan window, complete the following fields:
Type | If an administrator has created custom plan types, the Type drop-down menu appears. | ||
Template | Select a plan template to use.
For more information, see Plan Templates. |
3. Under Attributes, complete the following fields:
Name | Enter a plan name. The name must be unique within the context. |
Description | Enter a brief description of the plan. |
Plan Start | Click the calendar icon  to select a plan start date. |
Fixed Cost | Any unique charges associated with the plan that are separate from activity costs. |
Owner | Select the user responsible for managing the plan execution. If you are a context manager, then you are the default owner. Otherwise, a user is selected from the context manager list. Plan owners can modify plan attributes. |
4. Under Preferences, complete the following fields:
Calendar | • Standard—8-hour workday, Monday through Friday • 24 Hours—Work hours are 24 hours per day, 7 days a week | ||
Execution Control | Select the following options: • Manually control project execution—Plan activities and milestones can be created and edited at any time throughout the project. Deadlines, duration, and start and finish dates can be changed as needed. • Automatically execute activities and deliver tasks—Activities start based on precedence and date constraints, automatically initiating tasks and notifications. • Link deliverables with project activities—Indicates that associated activities and deliverables have a dependency relationship.
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5. Click OK.
When a project includes multiple plans, the following changes occur:
• Resources are shared across all plans.
• The context Tasks table includes activities and assignments from all plans.
• The Plan link in the Navigator is removed.
Projects and programs include a plan by default, but you can also manually add a plan to a product context:
• Only product managers or administrators can create a plan in a product. Once you have created a plan in the product, you cannot delete it.
• This action is only available for users with both Windchill PDMLink and Windchill ProjectLink installed.
• Before you can complete the following steps, ensure that the Enable Create Plan for Product preference is set to Yes. If it is not set, the Create Plan action does not appear in the Actions menu.
To set this preference, navigate to the Utilities page under Product 
, Organization 
, or Site 
. Click Preference Management and select > . For more information, see Preference Management Utility.
, Organization , or Site . Click Preference Management and select > . For more information, see Preference Management Utility.• If multiple plans are enabled, you can follow the steps outlined in Create a Plan.
1. From the Product > page, select > .
> page, select > .2. In the New Plan window, select a template from the Template drop-down menu. For more information, see Plan Templates.
3. Select one of the following options under Execution Control:
◦ Manually control plan execution—Plan activities and milestones can be created and edited at any time. Deadlines, duration, and start and finish dates can be changed as needed.
◦ Automatically execute activities and deliver tasks—Activities start based on precedence and date constraints, automatically initiating tasks and notifications.
For more information, see Execution of Plans.
4. Select Link deliverables with product activities to create a dependency relationship between activities and associated deliverables. For more information, see .
5. Click OK to create the plan.