Add Custom Project Activity Fields to the Dispatcher

This Article covers a common customization which allows Users to see if a Project Activity's dependent step has been completed or not, and which step it is that the Step Dependency is on and then add that Data to the Dispatcher tool, allowing Users to see if the previous Step was completed, before they assign the current Activity to a User. The end result will look something like this: 

 

Step 1: Create Custom Fields on the Project Activity Object 

Navigate to Setup

Go to the Object Manager menu and choose Project Activity 

In the Fields & Relationships menu, click New

Choose a Formula field and click Next

Choose an output value of Text and Name the Field "Predecessor Activity Status" and click Next

Be sure you are on the Advanced Formula builder and Click Insert Field

Insert the Field for Step Dependency > Status and then click Insert 

Be sure to treat Blank fields as blanks (not zeros). And Save. 

Next, we'll add another Custom Formula Text field for the Predecessor Activity Name so that Users can tell which step is the Predecessor to the current Activity they are Assigning. 

In the Fields & Relationships menu, click New

Choose a Formula field and click Next

Choose an output value of Text and Name the Field "Predecessor Activity Name" and click Next

Be sure you are on the Advanced Formula builder and Click Insert Field

Insert the Field for Step Dependency > Project Activity Name and then click Insert 

Be sure to treat Blank fields as blanks (not zeros). And Save. 

Step 2: Add your Custom Fields to the Dispatcher Field Set on Project Activity 

Next, go back to the Object Manager menu, and select the Project Activity. 

From there select, Field Sets and choose the Dispatcher field set to edit. 

From here you will drag and drop the fields you want to be displayed to the "In the Field Set" section. 

Once you have finished adding all the Fields, be sure to click Save. 

Still want to go one step further?! You can prevent your Users from assigning Project Activities if the Predecessor Activity has not been Completed. Follow along with this Article to learn how: Create a Validation Rule to prevent Project Activity from being Assigned unless the Predecessor Activity has been Completed.