Time Allocation: Weight Mode vs Day Count Mode
In Step 3 of the Project Setup wizard, or later from the stage settings panel, you can choose how to distribute time across your stages.
Not sure how many days each stage needs? Use weight mode — pick relative importance and let the system calculate the proportions. Already have a clear sense of the numbers? Use day count mode and enter each stage’s working days directly.
Weight Mode
Instead of entering days, you assign each stage a relative importance level.
When to use it
- You’re new to this type of project and aren’t confident about exact day counts
- You have a gut feel for which stages are heavier but struggle to put numbers on it
- You want a reasonable starting point and plan to fine-tune once you’re in the timeline
Levels
| Level | What it means |
|---|---|
| Shortest | This stage takes the least time in the project |
| Short | Below average |
| Medium | Around the project average |
| Long | Above average |
| Longest | This is the core, most time-intensive stage |
How to use it
- Select “Weight Mode” on the time allocation screen
- Pick a level for each stage
- The system calculates day proportions in real time, shown in the preview on the right
- If you’re not happy with a proportion, adjust that stage’s level — everything else recalculates automatically
Day Count Mode
Enter the exact number of working days for each stage.
When to use it
- You’ve done this type of project many times and know the numbers well
- A contract or client requirement specifies time ranges for each phase
- Your team has a fixed process where day counts don’t need to be re-estimated
How to use it
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Select “Day Count Mode” on the time allocation screen
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Enter a working-day count for each stage
These are working days — weekends and any holidays you’ve set up are excluded.
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The system checks whether the total exceeds your available working days
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If it does, you’ll get a warning indicating which stages need adjusting — shorten some stages or reconsider the deadline
Switching between modes
- You can switch modes from the top of the time allocation screen during setup
- When you switch, the system carries over the current proportions and converts them to the new mode’s format
- After you’re in the timeline, you can revisit proportions through the stage settings panel