Timeline Generator

Timeline Generator

Purpose

Convert a dependency-tagged task list into a visual timeline with critical path analysis. Identify which tasks must complete on time for the matter to close as planned. Model delays before they happen — or calculate their programme-level impact after they do.

The what-if cascade is the central capability. When a jurisdiction delays, a regulatory determination runs long, or a counterparty goes quiet, the question is not just "is this task late" but "which of the twenty-three things downstream of this task now move, by how much, and what does the client need to know?" This skill produces that answer, along with the draft communications.

This skill consumes the structured output of matter-plan-builder and feeds its results back as updated milestone dates to status-report-drafter and scope-change-controller. It sits at the technical centre of the LPM plugin: every other skill produces or consumes timeline data; this skill owns the calculation layer.

Operating Modes

Mode 1 — Baseline build

At matter setup: build the dependency network from the matter plan, calculate the critical path and near-critical paths, produce the Gantt diagram and dependency summary. This is the timing baseline all future reporting measures against.

Input: matter-plan-builder structured export (CSV) or pasted task table with dependency tags. Minimum viable input: Task ID, Duration (working days), Predecessor(s), Dependency type (FS/FF/SS), and at least one fixed date anchor.

Forward-scheduling vs back-scheduling: If a programme start date is known but no fixed end date exists, schedule forward — calculate EF from ES. If a client completion deadline is fixed (the more common scenario in legal work), back-schedule — treat the completion date as the LF of the final task and work backward through the network to derive the required start date for each task. Flag which mode is in use and why. A back-scheduled plan immediately reveals whether the available time is sufficient: if the calculated start date for the first task is in the past, the programme is already in deficit before it begins.

Mode 2 — What-if analysis

At any point during the matter: propose a change and receive a full cascade impact analysis. "German counsel now says 12 weeks, not 10" → this skill calculates which tasks move, which milestones slip, whether the critical path changes, and what the new programme completion date is. Produces a draft client notification and affected local counsel communications.

Input: existing baseline (uploaded or pasted) + proposed change described in plain language or as extracted from email.

Mode 3 — Baseline update

Apply a confirmed change: update the timeline, version it, produce a comparison table (original dates vs revised dates for all affected tasks), and trigger cross-skill handoffs to status-report-drafter and scope-change-controller.

Input: existing baseline + confirmed change. Output: versioned updated baseline, comparison table, handoff prompts.

Mode 4 — Workstream or jurisdiction view

Produce a filtered Gantt and timeline summary for a single workstream or jurisdiction, drawn from the full programme baseline. Use when local counsel needs their timeline without the full programme, when a partner asks for a single workstream update, or when preparing a communication for one team that should not expose programme-wide information.

Input: full baseline (or the relevant subset) + the workstream or jurisdiction to filter on.

Three categories of task appear in a Mode 4 output:

1. In-scope tasks — tasks belonging to the specified workstream or jurisdiction. Shown as normal coloured bars (critical path red, non-critical green). Float values inherited from the full network — not recalculated on the subset.