Latest Update: 8-17-2026
What is Progress Update?
When managing various activities of a project, you have to monitor their status, including whether they are in progress or completed, their actual start, actual finish, and remaining duration. If an activity deviates from the plan, you can edit the actual start and end dates to establish progress and compare it to the baseline plan.
1. Create a new version of the schedule
Prior to making any changes or updates, best practice is to create a new version of your schedule. This will allow you to revert back and compare to previous versions, so you can track changes in your schedule over time.
Navigate to the Version screen and create a new version of the schedule. Make sure to give it an appropriate name and description. For further help on creating a new version of your schedule, please visit the help article here
2. Change the Data Date
Once inside the new version, change the Data Date to reflect the latest data date of the project. The data date is the "as of" date of the schedule. Expected finish dates and remaining durations will be calculated based on the data date.
Navigate to the top center of the screen and open the project information dialogue box
3. See list of activities that need to be updated
Option 1: Progress Updates tool
This will provide a simple list, in logical order, of activities that need to be updated. You can use this in any view (canvas, table, or Gantt)
Navigate to 'Progress Updates' from the 'More' menu or through the info icon dropdown
Create a new version for your progress update and set the data date.
Click an activity in the Progress Update List to navigate to it and open the progress status dialog box. Proceed to Step 4 to update activity status.
Option 2: Select Between "Scheduled" or "Future" Work
Focus on the scheduled work leading up to the Data Date or in future work.
Option 3: Filter the Progress Update List by Code
If your project has codes assigned to activities, you can filter the Progress Update List to show only activities that match a specific code value.
Open the Progress Updates panel from the More menu.
Use the filter option in the panel to select any code from your project, such as Responsibility or Location. The list updates to show only matching activities.
Note: To clear the filter, click on the custom code drop down and select "All".
4. Update the Activity Status
Update Activity Status in all three schedule views: Canvas, Table, and Gantt.
If you're working within the Progress Updates tool, the Activity Status window will open automatically when you select an item from the update list.
To open activity status without the Progress Updates tool: Right-click the activity you wish to update and select 'Activity Status' or select and activity and click the 'Progress Status' icon in the bottom left toolbar
Update activity status with actual start and expected finish or remaining duration in the dialogue box which appears in the bottom left. You can also add variance reasons, notes and comments.
Note: Percent complete will be automatically calculated based on the remaining duration. If you complete Expected Finish, Remaining Duration will calculate based on data date (and vice versa).
Note: When you set an activity's status to Complete from the Progress Update List and click Save, the activity stays in the list (shown as complete) rather than disappearing. This lets you confirm the update and reopen the activity if you need to change it before scheduling. To remove the activity from your update list, click on it and select confirm.
Status update in Table or Gantt without the Status Update Side Panel:
In Table, navigate to the Updates tab
Click on the drop down in the Status column of the activity you wish to update and update the progress from the dialogue box
In Gantt, there are two ways to add progress without the side panel:
Select the "Edit Columns" button and bring in the Status column and click the cell to update the status. Click "Save" when you are done.
Note: Learn more about organizing columns in Gantt here
Right-Click an activity or Milestone and select "Activity Progress". You will be able to add status. Click "Save" when you are done.
5. Schedule the job
To finalize the schedule update, click the 'Schedule' button (top right) or press F9
You may receive a dialogue box asking you to move activities to the data date "now" or "later". To learn more about move now vs move later, refer to this article.
6. Next Steps
If your organization has purchased Manny, when you complete your progress update you'll see options for various insights Manny can provide. Clicking "Run with Manny" will open a new chat for each report that is selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is percent complete calculated?
Percent complete is calculated automatically based on remaining duration. If you enter the expected finish date instead, remaining duration is calculated from that and the data date, and percent complete follows from there.
Why does a completed activity still show up in the Progress Update list?
When you mark an activity Complete from the Progress Update list, it stays in the list but shows as complete, rather than disappearing. This lets you confirm the update and reopen the activity if you need to change it before scheduling.
What's the difference between the Progress Updates tool and using a filter?
The Progress Updates tool gives you a ready-made list of activities to review in logical order, and works in any view. Creating a filter (activities on or before the data date, status not Completed) gives you the same set of activities but lets you customize the criteria yourself.
What does the data date actually control?
The data date is the "as of" date for the schedule. Expected finish dates and remaining durations are calculated relative to it, so updating it before you start logging progress keeps those calculations accurate.
Do I need to update activity status in Canvas, Table, and Gantt separately?
No. Activity status is shared across all three views, you can update it from whichever view you're working in (right-click an activity, use the Progress Status icon, or edit the Status column in Table).
What happens when I click Schedule after updating progress?
The schedule recalculates based on your updates. You may be prompted to choose between moving remaining activities to the data date "now" or "later", which determines how not started work shifts relative to today.