ScheduleBasic - PCF Control
A Practical Scheduling Layer for Dataverse
From Planning to Execution in One Control
ScheduleBasic helps teams plan, schedule, and track work execution in real time—using a simple, calendar-first experience built directly into Model-Driven Apps.
Unlike complex project management tools, ScheduleBasic focuses on what matters for day-to-day operations: getting work scheduled, assigned, and tracked without unnecessary overhead.
👉 No heavy dependencies. No earned value tracking. Just clear, actionable scheduling.
Overview Video:
New video coming soon
What Problem Does ScheduleBasic Solve?
Most scheduling tools fall into two extremes:
❌ Too Simple
- Basic calendars with no structure
- No connection to work definitions
- No execution tracking or progress visibility
- Manual coordination across teams
❌ Too Complex
- Full PM systems (MS Project, Smartsheet)
- Heavy dependencies and auto-scheduling
- Cost tracking, earned value, resource leveling
- Overkill for daily operational work
✅ ScheduleBasic Fills the Gap
- Structured scheduling tied to work definitions
- Real-time execution visibility with status tracking
- Low friction calendar-based interface
- No overhead of full project systems
Key Capabilities
📅 Calendar-Based Scheduling
- Week view (primary) and day view for detailed operations
- Drag-and-drop scheduling into time slots
- Move and resize scheduled items with snap behavior
- Calendar is the source of truth for execution state
⚡ Immediate Data Persistence
- Changes save instantly to Dataverse
- Built-in retry handling for transient failures
- Conflict detection and resolution
- Designed for real-time, multi-user environments
👥 Resource-Centric Scheduling
- Central Resource hub (people, trades, equipment)
- Assign work via scheduled rows, not embedded fields
- Supports single and multi-assignment scenarios
- Clear visibility of who is doing what, when
Smart Data Architecture
🧾 Work + Schedule Separation
Clean, flexible data model:
- WorkItem = definition of work
- ScheduledWork = actual scheduled occurrence
- Resource = who or what is assigned
This separation enables:
- Multiple scheduled instances per WorkItem
- Multi-resource scheduling
- Clear distinction between intent vs execution
📊 Status & Progress Tracking
- Built-in statuses: Requested → Planned → In Progress → Blocked → Complete
- PercentComplete for real-world progress visibility
- Simple rollups without complex earned value tracking
- Designed for operational teams, not project accountants
⚡ Performance Optimized
- Handles hundreds of time slots smoothly
- 3-week rolling window for efficient data loading
- Fast filtering (<1s) and smooth interactions
- Scales to large unscheduled backlogs
🔄 Dual Modes: Planning vs Execution
ScheduleBasic simplifies the user experience by separating two distinct workflows:
🏗️ Planner Mode
Focus: "What should happen next?"
Works on:
- Unscheduled WorkItems (backlog)
Supports:
- SequenceOrder – Define intended work order
- PlannedStartGroup – Group related work logically
- DurationEstimate – Optional sizing for rough planning
- Drag/snap ordering for visual sequencing
Visual Layout:
Lightweight "Sequence View" (Gantt-style) that shows order and grouping without the complexity of traditional project tools.
⚙️ Execution Mode
Focus: "What's happening now?"
Works on:
- Scheduled work items (calendar view)
Supports:
- Status updates – Move work through lifecycle
- Progress tracking – Update PercentComplete
- Resource assignment – Change who's assigned
- Schedule adjustments – Move or resize time blocks
Visual Layout:
Week and day calendar views showing scheduled work with color-coded status indicators and progress bars.
👉 Each mode shows only relevant fields—no clutter, no confusion.
🧭 Lightweight Sequencing (Optional)
Plan work order before scheduling—without complex project dependencies.
SequenceView Features:
- Visual drag-and-drop ordering
- Logical grouping using PlannedStartGroup
- Optional duration estimates for sizing
- Lite Gantt-style visualization
What Makes It "Lightweight":
- ✅ Advisory sequencing (not enforced)
- ✅ No dependency chains or critical path
- ✅ No auto-rescheduling when dates change
- ✅ Focus on intent, not rigid constraints
This approach keeps planning simple and flexible—ideal for operational teams who need guidance, not rigidity.
Example Use Cases
ScheduleBasic is ideal for execution-oriented teams:
🏢 Facility Management Teams
- Schedule internal maintenance work orders
- Coordinate HVAC, electrical, and plumbing teams
- Track preventive maintenance schedules
⚙️ Internal Operations Teams
- Manage cross-departmental work coordination
- Schedule equipment installations or upgrades
- Track completion of operational tasks
🏗️ Small Builders & Contractors
- Schedule trades across multiple job sites
- Track work phases and milestones
- Coordinate material deliveries with labor
🔧 Service Coordination Teams
- Schedule technicians and field service staff
- Manage service call routing and assignment
- Track work order completion rates
Why ScheduleBasic vs Full Project Management Tools?
| Aspect | Full PM Tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.) | ScheduleBasic PCF |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | ❌ Complex setup with task hierarchies, dependencies, resource pools | ✅ Simple configuration via PCF properties in Model-Driven Apps |
| Learning Curve | ❌ Steep learning curve; requires PM training | ✅ Intuitive calendar interface; minimal training needed |
| Dependency Management | ⚠️ Complex dependency chains, critical path, auto-scheduling | ✅ Advisory sequencing only—no enforced dependencies |
| Cost Tracking | ⚠️ Earned value, cost baselines, budget tracking | ✅ No cost overhead—focus on execution, not accounting |
| Resource Leveling | ⚠️ Automatic resource leveling and workload balancing | ✅ Manual assignment with visual capacity awareness |
| Dataverse Integration | ❌ External tools require complex sync or connectors | ✅ Native Dataverse integration with instant data sync |
| Mobile Experience | ⚠️ Often limited or requires separate mobile apps | ✅ Works in Model-Driven Apps on any device |
| Licensing Cost | ❌ Separate licensing; often expensive per user | ✅ Included with Power Apps licensing |
| Real-Time Collaboration | ⚠️ Varies; often requires check-in/check-out | ✅ Multi-user real-time updates with conflict resolution |
| Best For | Large projects with complex dependencies, budgets, and formal governance | Operational teams needing practical scheduling without PM overhead |
🎯 Core Philosophy
ScheduleBasic is designed for teams who need structured scheduling and execution tracking—without the complexity and overhead of enterprise project management systems.
🌍 Enterprise-Ready Features
Time & Reliability
- UTC-based storage with local time rendering
- Handles daylight saving time (DST) edge cases
- Conflict-aware updates for multi-user editing
Smart Filtering & Windowing
- Loads 3-week rolling window (21 days)
- Navigation-aware data loading (Prev/Next weeks)
- Keeps backlog relevant to planning horizon
Safe, Incremental Architecture
- Feature flags for controlled rollout
- Test mode support (non-destructive)
- Designed for incremental deployment + rollback
Who Should Use ScheduleBasic?
🎯 Power Platform Professionals
- Solution Architects – Building scheduling solutions in Dataverse
- Power Platform Developers – Integrating PCF controls into Model-Driven Apps
- App Builders – Creating custom work management applications
🏗️ Operations Teams
- Operations Managers – Coordinating daily work execution
- Maintenance Coordinators – Scheduling facility and equipment work
- Service Dispatchers – Assigning field technicians to jobs
- Team Leads – Tracking work progress and status
No external services required. Works with standard Dataverse security, business rules, and workflows.
Ready to Simplify Your Work Scheduling?
ScheduleBasic provides a practical scheduling layer for Dataverse—helping teams plan, schedule, and track work execution without the complexity of full project management tools.
💡 One-Line Value Proposition
ScheduleBasic helps teams plan, schedule, and track work execution in real time—using a simple, calendar-first experience built directly into Model-Driven Apps.