STEP 2: Gantt LWC - Validation Process for Converting Gantt Visualforce to Gantt LWC

As you go through your validation and begin to convert your projects from Gantt Visualforce to Gantt LWC, there will be a period of time when you will need to support both Gantt versions in Inspire Planner. 

Before you begin

• Identify the scope: Create a list view that will display all active project templates. This will give you an idea of how many templates you will need to convert. It is recommended that you convert all your active project templates to Gantt LWC first so that users can start creating new projects in Gantt LWC. Then create a separate list view to identify a subset of Gantt Visualforce projects you will be converting and validating in Gantt LWC. Please see Create and Custom List Views to learn how to create list views in Salesforce.

Best Practices during Validation:

• Keep Users Informed: Educate your end users about the validation process. Users should continue to make their updates against the original Gantt Visualforce project. This also means that if they are creating time entries, they should continue to log their time against their tasks in the original Gantt Visualforce project. The conversion checklist includes instructions on how to name your clone for validation purposes so that users can easily distinguish between the original Gantt Visualforce project and the clone.
   
• Gantt Version: It is important to inform users who are performing the validation process of the importance of Gantt Version and how the value in this field determines which version of the Gantt to display. 
  
  The primary purpose of the Gantt Version field in the project is to determine which version of the Gantt component to display - Gantt Visualforce or Gantt LWC. When all of your existing projects have been converted to Gantt LWC, the Gantt Version field is no longer needed. The expectation is that moving forward, new projects will only be created and managed in Gantt LWC.
   
• Version Switching Caution: Once a Gantt Visualforce project has been converted to Gantt LWC, you cannot go back to Gantt Visualforce as this could lead to project disruptions and data integrity issues due to some features being only supported in Gantt LWC. The conversion process is designed with the intent of converting Gantt Visualforce projects to Gantt LWC and then leading with Gantt LWC moving forward.
   
• Scheduling Direction Switching Caution: Scheduling Direction in Gantt LWC is introduced with the Jun 2024 - Major Release (1.356). Gantt Visualforce Projects that are converted to Gantt LWC will have Scheduling Direction set to NULL. Gantt LWC will then assume a forward-scheduled project. You should not switch the scheduling direction for projects in-flight as this will have a major impact on how tasks are scheduled and how constraints are set. If you would like backward-scheduled projects, you should create new projects and set the Scheduling Direction to "Backward".
   
• Decide on a validation period: There should be a finite period for supporting projects in both Gantt Visualforce and Gantt LWC. Once your validation is complete, new project templates and projects should only be created and managed in Gantt LWC.
   
• Conversion Checklist: Use the conversion checklists attached at the bottom of this help article. The conversion checklist ensures that you are following the recommended steps as you convert your Gantt Visualforce projects to the new Gantt LWC.

Project Schedule Action Button

With the introduction of Gantt LWC, we're excited to announce a new Project Schedule action button designed specifically to support the transition from the Gantt Visualforce component to the Gantt Lightning Web Component (LWC). This button facilitates a seamless transition by supporting both Gantt Visualforce and Gantt LWC projects. It determines which component to display based on the Gantt Version field, enabling a smooth conversion for all projects.

Implementing the New Project Schedule Action
 

1. Update Page Layouts: Transition your project page layouts by replacing the legacy Project Schedule Action button with the new Project Schedule LWC action. This update is crucial for moving forward with the LWC component.
    
2. Clear Communication: Inform your team about the introduction of the new Project Schedule LWC action and the importance of the Gantt Version field. Understanding these changes is vital for a smooth transition and maximizing the benefits of the LWC component.
    
3. Utilize the Admin Guide: For detailed guidance on updating the Gantt Version field and incorporating the new Project Schedule LWC action into your project layouts, refer to the Admin Guide - Add Project Schedule LWC Action.

Next Step

Once you have completed the validation process and are now ready to proceed with Gantt LWC conversion, you will need to remove Gantt Version and the Gantt Visualforce components from your Lightning Record pages. Please see Step 3: Gantt LWC - Full Conversion Process for detailed instructions.