Timeline Monitor

The timeline monitor allows you to create a graphical view over time of objects such as the initiative and porftolio item (see Initiative and Portfolio Item). The view can be phase-oriented or object-oriented and based on a timescale you selected.

The timeline monitor is for display purposes only; you cannot make changes to the start or finish, for example. The system pulls these dates from the relevant object.

Integration

The timeline monitor displays dates (start and finish) from Portfolio Management and Decision Flow Management (DFM) in the form of graphical overviews (see Portfolio Management and Decision Flow Management (DFM)). The graphical view of phases and decision points helps you to control the various phases in the life cycle of a product more easily.

The timeline monitor is based on SAP NetWeaver Java Gantt chart control.

Features

The following functions are available:

Function	Description
Calling the timeline monitor	You first choose an object from the item or initiative dashboard and then choose the Timeline Monitor button in the object detail screen.
Phase-centric view, object-centric view	The timeline monitor provides an object-centric view and a phase-centric view. If you choose Object-Centric View or Phase-Centric View, the system branches to the selected view and the other view appears as a link text. For more information, see Object-Centric View and Phase-Centric View. Note In addition to the timescale in the graph, the system displays start and finish for decision points, initiatives, and portfolio items in table form for each object (see Displaying Data in the Timeline Monitor). End of the note.
Settings	For the graphical view, you can specify which data you want to display in the selected period. You can select an individual option, a combination of options, or all options. The system pulls the data from the selected object. The following values are possible: Forecasted Planned Actual
Print	You can print the current view.
Print Preview	You can display a print preview for the current view. You use print parameters to format the printout. For more information, see Print Preview.
Refresh	If you make changes to your data, for example, to the selected portfolio item or initiative at the same time as you are in the timeline monitor, you can transfer these changes to the timeline monitor by choosing Refresh. You can then display the current status there.
Expand/ collapse	Choose Expand Subtree to display the subobjects directly below the selected object. Choose Collapse Subtree to hide the subobjects directly below the selected object. Choose Expand All to display all subobjects with their lower-level objects for the selected object (entry object). Choose Collapse All to hide all subobjects with their lower-level objects.
Navigate	You use the JNet navigation which is part of the SAP NetWeaver Java Gantt chart control, to navigate horizontally and vertically in a separate window when you are working with large timescales and a small time unit, for example, week, or if you are working with large object hierarchies. The JNet navigation displays a miniature version of your Gantt chart and is an alternative to using the scrollbar. The periods and the structure of your objects in your Gantt chart are transferred to JNet navigation.
Period	You can specify the time period for the selected object. The following periods are available: Week, Month, Quarter, Year, Custom, Show All You set up the periods into which the timescale is divided for the graphical view. The Custom entry is only available if you defined a Custom Timescale beforehand. The system adjusts the timescale to fit the selected period (see Displaying Data in the Timeline Monitor).
Custom Timescale	You can define your own timescale with a start and finish. The system adjusts the timescale to match your settings.
Go to...	You can select a point in time: Today Date The system moves the selected point in time to the center of the screen.
Legend	The legend (see Displaying Data in the Timeline Monitor) explains how the timescale is displayed for your selected object. The system displays a list of the colors and icons used with their meanings. Forecasted Planned Actual Forecasted Decision Point Planned Decision Point Actual Decision Point