Opening a Case

In ChangeRequest, there is no way that a project can be finished without dividing it into cases. A case, as mentioned in the previous topic, is a set of tasks dedicated to a portion of a project. Sometimes, cases can be created for projects that are already closed, as they were thought to be complete. In these scenarios, the project has to be reopened and a case (or cases) has to be created.

In creating a case, it is the case specifications that you deal with. They differ from project specifications in a sense that they concentrate more on how to get the case done than on how to get the whole project done.

When a case is created, it enters the workflow process and undergoes multiple steps or phases. When a participant assigns the case to another user, the next workflow step starts. (To know more about the workflow steps, click here)

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To open a case, do the following:

For PM and Analyst

  1. Click on the Add a Case button in your Dashboard.
  2. Choose a Project in the box provided.
  3. In the Case Title box, type a descriptive title for the case that you are creating.
  4. In the What needs to be done textarea, type the itemized task list that you want the Analyst (Designer or Programmer) to do.

    Note: Break the case up into clear tasks, and if it is more than a couple items, open individual cases for each one to keep things simple.
  5. If you want to upload a file or a screenshot that will demonstrate the task list, click on the Attach a file or screenshot link and do the following:
    1. Click on the Browse button to select the file. After selecting one, the Description box will be automatically filled out.
    2. Click on the Upload button.
  6. In the Assigned to dropdown list, select the user to whom the case will be assigned.

    Note:
    - If you assign this case to a Project Manager (PM), you will have to select option B or C later on step 12.
    - If you assign it to an Analyst (AN), you will have to select option A.
  7. In the Priority dropdown list, select the level of importance or urgency of the case.
  8. In the Type dropdown list, select the case type. You can select from any of the following:
    1. Bug – A defect in the design or routine of your finished product (the program)
    2. Change – A new/old portion of the program that you want to be added/modified for the completion of the client’s requirements.
    3. Question – A technical inquiry addressed to the user who knows the program more.
  9. In the Estimated Hours Work box, type the maximum number of hours that will be needed for the completion of the case.
  10. In the Estimated Delivery Date box, select the date until when this case should be completed.
  11. (For PM only) In the Billing Info area, supply the Payment Type and the Amount to be solicited from the Client. If the case requires no fees, leave the area blank.

    Note: If you supply the Billing info now, it will be easier later to create an invoice for transaction that involves this case.
  12. Do any of the following:
    1. To start the work for this case immediately, click on the Skip Approval & Start Work button.
    2. If you did not supply the Estimated Hours Work and the Estimated Delivery Date earlier and you want a PM to decide on this, click on the Save to Pending Estimate button.
    3. If you are an Analyst who is creating this case and you want a PM to approve the information that you provided here, click on the Submit for Approval button.

For Client

  1. Click on the Add a Case button in your Dashboard.
  2. In the Case Title box, type a descriptive title for this case that you are creating. A descriptive title should include what and where to identify the change/bug.
  3. In the Priority dropdown list, select the level of importance or urgency of the case.
  4. In the What needs to be done textarea, type the itemized task list that you want the company (the Seller) to do.

    Note: Break the case up into clear tasks, and if it is more than a couple items, open individual cases for each one to keep things simple.
  5. If you want to upload a file or a screenshot that will demonstrate the task list, click on the Attach a file or screenshot link and do the following:
    1. Click on the Browse button to select the file. After selecting one, the Description box will be automatically filled out.
    2. Click on the Upload button.
  6. Click on the Submit button.

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