Adding Task Dependency & Auto-Forecasting in Business Central – A Client Story

As a Business Central functional consultant, I often come across clients who want to stretch the system just a little further than what the standard product offers. And honestly? That’s the fun part of my job, taking a real business problem and making Business Central work for it.

Recently, one of our clients came to us with an interesting ask. They were using Projects in Business Central (note: not full-blown Project Operations, since BC’s project functionality is more limited) just to track their internal projects. For them, it wasn’t about billing customers or external reporting, it was about managing their own internal tasks in a structured way.

But soon, they hit a snag:

“We want task dependencies. Unless Task A is done, Task B should not be editable. And while we’re at it, can we also forecast task timelines automatically?”

The Customization: Task Dependency + Forecasted Dates

We built a customization with two powerful features:

1. Task Dependency
   • -Users can define one or multiple dependencies for a single task.
   • -Until dependent tasks are marked as completed, the next task stays locked for editing.
   • -Once the prior task is done, the dependent task opens up for updates.
2. Number of Days Column
   • -Each task now has a No. of Days field.
   • -Based on this, the system automatically forecasts the Start Date and End Date.
   • -If the actual completion date of a task shifts (earlier or later), the system recalculates and updates all the dependent tasks below it, keeping the entire project timeline in sync.

This combination turned their static task list into a dynamic project plan inside Business Central.

Why This Feature Made a Big Difference

Here are a few ways it improved their day-to-day working:

1. Better Control
   • -Dependencies prevent tasks from being edited or updated out of sequence.
   • -Teams follow the right flow without confusion.
2. Accurate Forecasting
   • -Project managers can now see a clear forecast of when tasks should start and end.
   • -As dates shift, the ripple effect automatically updates, reducing manual re-planning.
3. Clarity in Progress Tracking
   • -Managers instantly see where the project is stuck and what the revised completion date looks like.
   • -The system does the math – no need for spreadsheets on the side.
4. Reduced Errors
   • -No premature task edits.
   • -No forgetting to update timelines manually when one task slips.
5. Streamlined Collaboration
   • -Everyone works in sync with the latest timeline.
   • -The system keeps tasks aligned, so project updates are always accurate.
6. Easier Reviews
   • -During weekly reviews, managers get an up-to-date project timeline without chasing multiple reports.

A Small Customization, A Big Win

Sometimes, it’s not about adding a huge new module, it’s about adding the right control and visibility at the right place. This customization gave our client confidence that their internal projects would stay on track, with dependencies and timelines automatically adjusting in Business Central.

And that’s the beauty of Business Central: it gives you a strong foundation, and with a little tailoring, it can adapt perfectly to your unique business needs.

I Hope you found this blog useful, and if you would like to discuss anything, you can reach out to us at transform@cloudfronts.com.