Introduction
Use this article when you need help resolving a common Progress Tracking setup or workflow question. The troubleshooting sections below cover common points to check when working with:
- Design objects
- Activity linking
- Project schedules
- Progress updates
- Activity weights
- The Progress Dashboard
Design Object Troubleshooting
I Can See the Design, but I Cannot Select the Elements I Need
Visible design geometry is not necessarily available as individual Progress Tracking objects. For 2D CAD designs, first determine whether the elements were already defined as objects in the source design.
From the design's three-dot menu, go to Objects - Identify Objects. Use Identify Objects when the elements were already defined as objects in the source CAD and need to be identified in DatuBIM.
If the elements were not defined as individual objects by the designer, use Objects - Manage Objects to create the objects from the design geometry.
Automatically Identified Objects Do Not Look Correct
If Identify Objects does not produce the expected design objects, review how the source 2D CAD was structured.
Check whether:
- The applicable elements were created as consistent CAD blocks.
- The expected object names and classifications were identified correctly.
- The source geometry represents the physical elements you intend to track.
If the required elements are not available as usable CAD blocks, or the automatically identified objects do not represent the intended scope correctly, use Objects - Manage Objects to define the objects manually from the CAD geometry.
The Object Checkbox Is Selected, but I Cannot Link the Object
The checkbox beside an object controls whether that object is displayed. It does not select the object for Progress Tracking.
To select an object for linking, click the individual object or its name until it is highlighted in orange. Use Ctrl to select multiple individual objects where applicable, or open Measure & Draw - Miscellaneous - Select Design Objects to draw a polygon around multiple objects.
The Progress Panel Does Not Appear When I Select an Object
Confirm that the object has actually been selected rather than only made visible. When selected correctly, the object should be highlighted and the applicable Progress controls should become available. If you are selecting several objects, confirm that each intended object is part of the active selection before continuing.
Activity Linking Troubleshooting
I Cannot Find the Gantt Activity I Want to Link
Confirm that the schedule activity has been selected for Progress Tracking. Imported schedule activities do not automatically become Tracked Activities. Review the Gantt and confirm that the applicable activity was selected for tracking.
If the work is not represented by an appropriate Gantt Activity, consider using a Standalone Activity instead.
The Work I Need to Track Is Not in the Project Schedule
Create a Standalone Activity.
Standalone Activities allow work to be tracked without requiring a corresponding activity from the imported project Gantt. They can still contain the information needed for Progress Tracking, including measurement type, quantity, dates, progress, and activity weight.
I Linked Objects to the Wrong Activity
Remove the incorrect activity connection and then link the objects to the correct activity.
Before completing the new connection, review the selected objects and activity name to confirm that the physical design scope matches the work represented by the activity.
Does the Flight Displayed in the Site Affect the Object-to-Activity Link?
No. The flight or site snapshot currently displayed does not determine the relationship between the design object and its tracked activity. The connection is established between the design object and the activity.
Schedule Troubleshooting
My Imported Gantt Activity Does Not Have the Quantity or Unit I Need
If the schedule does not contain the quantity or unit information needed for quantity-based progress tracking, you can:
- Add the required information to the source schedule and import the updated schedule.
- Use a Standalone Activity when appropriate for the work being tracked.
What Happens When I Import an Updated Gantt?
Previously recorded Progress Tracking information is retained except for Planned Start Date and Planned End Date.
After importing an updated schedule, review these dates before continuing progress reporting. Also, confirm that the activities being tracked still represent the intended project scope.
Can I Export Progress Tracking Updates Back to Microsoft Project or Primavera P6?
No. Progress Tracking updates made in DatuBIM cannot currently be exported back to Microsoft Project or Primavera P6. Continue to maintain the formal project schedule in the source scheduling application and import updated schedule information into DatuBIM as needed.
Previously recorded tracking information is retained if the activity is removed and later added back to Progress Tracking. Once the activity is restored, review its current schedule and tracking information before continuing.
Progress Update Troubleshooting
The Progress Table or Progress Graph Is Not Available
Confirm that the activity has an Actual Required Quantity.
The Progress Table and Progress Graph become available after the total required quantity has been entered for the activity. If the field is missing or incomplete, open the activity details and enter the applicable Actual Required Quantity before continuing.
I Entered Progress Today for Work That Happened Earlier
When entering a progress update, use the date that represents when the work occurred or was verified when that information is available. This keeps the progress history aligned with the actual sequence of construction.
Planned Dates and Actual Dates Are Different
This is expected. For activities connected to the project schedule:
- Planned Start and Planned End represent the scheduled dates.
- Actual Start and Actual End represent when the work actually began and finished.
Actual dates can be maintained as the work progresses and do not replace the planned schedule dates.
Why Did My Activity Dates or Forecast Change?
For activities connected to design objects, the Actual Start and Actual End dates maintained for linked objects are used to update the associated activity dates and forecast information. If an activity date or forecast changes unexpectedly, review the linked objects and confirm that their Actual Start and Actual End dates are correct.
From the Tracked Activity, open the Objects tab, select the applicable object's three-dot menu, and choose Show Properties to review its progress information.
I Need to Track Progress but Do Not Have a Physical Quantity
Use a measurement method appropriate for the work being monitored. Supported measurement types include:
- Count
- Length
- Area
- Volume
- Mass
- Percentage
Use Percentage when the work cannot reasonably be represented by a single measurable physical quantity.
Activity Weight Troubleshooting
My Normalized Percentages Changed After I Updated One Weight
This is expected. DatuBIM calculates each activity's Normalized (%) value based on its weight relative to the total weight of the monitored activities. When one Weight value changes, the relative share of the other activities changes as well. The normalized values are recalculated so the total equals 100%.
I Can See All Activity Weights, but I Can Only Edit One
You are likely accessing Compare Activity Weights from an individual tracked activity. From an individual activity, you can:
- View the weights and normalized percentages of the other activities.
- Edit only the selected activity's Weight.
- Select Apply to confirm the change.
To edit multiple activity weights at the same time, open Manage Activity Weights from the Gantt chart. From the Gantt workflow, you can update all applicable Weight values and select Save when finished.
Weighted Completion Does Not Look the Way I Expected
Check the following:
- Confirm that every intended activity has a Weight value. Activities without a weight are excluded from weighted completion.
- Review their Normalized (%) values.
- Confirm that the correct activities are included in the Dashboard.
- Review the actual progress value for each activity.
- Confirm that the project team is using the intended weighting methodology consistently.
Remember that activity progress and activity weight represent different things:
- Progress indicates how far that activity has advanced toward completion.
- Weight determines how much that activity contributes to overall weighted progress.
Dashboard Troubleshooting
Select Configure and choose the Tracked Activities that should be included in the Dashboard. The Dashboard does not need to include every tracked activity. Select the activities that represent the scope you want to evaluate.
An Activity Is Tracked but Does Not Appear in the Dashboard
Review Manage Activities in the Dashboard configuration and confirm that the activity is included. Tracked Activities and Dashboard Activities are related but are not the same selection. An activity can exist in Tracked Activities without being included in the current Dashboard scope.
The Dashboard Status Does Not Match What I Expected
Review:
- The activities included in the Dashboard.
- Their current progress.
- Planned and forecast dates.
- Activity weights.
- The configured Activity delay and Forecast End Date Thresholds.
Threshold settings affect the color and status indications used for both individual activity delay and project-level forecast performance. Review the configured limits if the Dashboard status does not match the expected schedule condition.
Quick Reference: Where Do I Go?
I need to... | Go to...
|
Import or update a schedule
| |
Identify objects already defined in CAD | |
Create objects that do not already exist | |
Connect design objects to an activity | |
Create a Standalone Activity | |
Choose a measurement type or required quantity | |
Enter or correct progress | |
Review progress history or forecast information | |
Configure or update activity weights | |
Review weighted project progress | |
Configure Dashboard activities or thresholds | |
Understand the full recommended workflow | |
Resolve a disabled Progress Table or Progress Graph | |
Understand why object dates changed an activity forecast | |
Before Escalating an Issue
If Progress Tracking is not behaving as expected, first confirm:
- The correct schedule revision is being used.
- The necessary design objects have been identified or created.
- The intended objects are actually selected, not only visible.
- The correct activity is being tracked.
- The correct measurement type and Actual Required Quantity are configured where applicable.
- Progress dates and values are correct.
- Activity weights are configured where applicable.
- The intended activities are included in the Dashboard.
If the issue continues, gather the following information when possible:
- The site and design being used.
- The affected activity name.
- The affected design object or objects.
- A screenshot or video of the unexpected behavior.
- The steps taken immediately before the issue occurred.
Providing this information can help shorten the troubleshooting process.
Still Need Help?
If you continue to experience an issue, are unsure how to configure Progress Tracking for your project, or have questions about the recommended workflow, reach out to your Datumate Customer Success Manager. The Customer Success team can help review your setup, troubleshoot unexpected behavior, and work with you to determine the best Progress Tracking workflow for your project.
Related Progress Tracking Articles
- Progress Tracking Overview and Recommended Workflow
- Importing Your Project Schedule for Progress Tracking
- Preparing Design Objects for Progress Tracking
- Linking Design Objects to Gantt Activities
- Creating and Configuring Tracked Activities
- Updating Progress and Activity Status
- Configuring Activity Weights
- Using the Progress Dashboard