Getting Started

The Quick Start Guide to UpStream

UpStream is a project management plugin for WordPress. This video is an introduction to using UpStream. There is a text introduction below the video and much more documentation at this link. Step #1: Adding a Project To add a Project, hover over ‘Projects‘ in your WordPress admin area and then click on ‘New Project‘. Fill in the basic details on the right of the screen such as Project Owner, the Client, Project Status and start and end dates. image Step #2: Viewing your projects To view your project, simply click on the Permalink at the top of the page and you will be taken to the frontend view of the project. image Once you are in the frontend view, you can also click the ‘All Projects‘ link on the left hand sidebar to view a list of all the projects that you are currently involved in. image

How to Find the URL for an UpStream Project

If you want to find the URL for a project, visit the main “Projects” page in the WordPress admin area. Hover a project name and you’ll see several links underneath the name. Click on the “View” link. image You can also see the URL of any project by opening the project and looking underneath the title: image If you have WordPress permalinks enabled, the URL of the project will look like this: /project/project-name/ If you don’t have WordPress permalinks enabled, the URL of the project will look like this: /?project=name_project

How to Access the Frontend Screens in UpStream

It is possible to allow your Clients access to projects via the frontend of your WordPress site. The main Projects screen is at a specific URL which will usually be /projects/. When you visit this URL, you’ll see the normal WordPress login screen: image After logging-in, you will see the full project screen. This is a full-screen view and will not use your normal WordPress theme. image By default, everyone who has access to the project can see the current details via the front-end screen. If you want Clients to edit the project, add tasks and have discussions via the front-end, you’ll need the Frontend Edit extension. After installing and activating this extension, new buttons will appear on the frontend that will allow logged in users to easily edit, delete or add new items which then appear directly within the project. You can change the colors and logos on this screen using the Customizer extension.

What are Milestones in UpStream?

Milestones are a key way to organize your projects. When you are organizing a project, Milestones are the highest level of organization. Tasks are placed underneath a Milestone. One Milestone may have several Tasks attached. Creating Milestones Inside each project, you can add as many milestones as you need. If you have the Frontend Edit extension installed, click the blue “Add Milestone” button. If you don’t have this extension, you can add Milestones from the WordPress admin area. image After clicking “Add Milestone”, you’ll see a modal window when you can enter Milestone information: image All your Milestones will appear in the WordPress admin area: image Disabling Milestones If you don’t want Milestones on a single project, you can disable them for a single project by checking this box in the Milestones Settings area: image You can also disable Milestones for all your projects by going to UpStream > General Settings and checking this box: image Find out more about disabling features in UpStream by clicking here. Visualizing Milestones Milestones don’t just appear on a list. You can also see this in the Project Timeline and Calendar View extensions. This image is of the Project Timeline extension. You can see that “Development”, “Website Launch”, “Website Testing” and “Wireframe Design” are the Milestones. Each Milestone has a start and end date, plus several associated Tasks. project timeline

How to Install the UpStream Plugin

UpStream is a 100% free plugin that you can install from WordPress.org. This guide will show you how to add UpStream to your site … - Go to your WordPress site’s admin area. Go to “Plugins”, then “Add New”: image - Use the search box to look for “UpStream”: image - Click the “Install Now” button next to UpStream: image - Click the “Activate” button next to UpStream: image - You will immediately be taken to the first UpStream page, where you can start creating a project: image If you have any problems after installing UpStream, please make sure that your WordPress site meets the minimum requirements.

How to Uninstall the UpStream Plugin

The process for uninstalling UpStream is the same for any other WordPress plugin. Inside your WordPress site, go to “Plugins”, and click the “Deactivate” link under UpStream. image Once UpStream has been deactivated, you can uninstall the UpStream. To do this, click “Delete” next to UpStream: image By default, all your UpStream data will remain intact after uninstalling. If you want to fully remove UpStream, together with all the associated data and user groups, this what to do: - Go to “UpStream”, then “General Settings”. - Check the box “Remove all data on install?”. - Click “Save”. image - Go to the “Users” menu link and make sure that all users are removed from UpStream user roles. Now you can safely uninstall UpStream and all your data will be removed.

What Are Tasks in UpStream?

Task are the most important feature in UpStream. Tasks are the actionable item that you need to complete to finish a project. If you have enough permissions, you can assign a Task to other users. Click here to see which users can be assigned Tasks. The progress of that Task will count towards the overall progress of the project. Click here to read more about progress percentages. This video introduces Tasks in UpStream: Creating Tasks Inside each project, you can add as many Tasks as you need. If you have the Frontend Edit extension installed, click the blue “Add Tasks”. If you don’t have this extension, you can add Tasks from the WordPress admin area. image After clicking “Add Task”, you’ll see a modal window when you can enter the Task information: image All your Tasks for all your projects will appear in the WordPress admin area, under the Projects > Tasks link: image Disabling Tasks If you don’t want Tasks on a single project, you can disable them for a single project by checking this box in the Tasks Settings area: image You can also disable Tasks for all your projects by going to UpStream > General and checking this box: image Find out more about disabling features in UpStream by clicking here. Visualizing Tasks Tasks don’t just appear on a list. You can also see them in the Project Timeline and Calendar View extensions. This image is of the Project Timeline extension. You can see that “Development”, “Website Launch”, “Website Testing” and “Wireframe Design” are the Milestones. Each Milestone has a start and end date, plus several associated Tasks. project timeline

What Are Bugs in UpStream?

Bugs can be added at any time within the project. They are not tied into Milestones or Tasks. Each Bug can have files attached and detailed notes to help describe the Bug. If you have the Frontend Edit extension installed, click the blue “Add Bug” button. If you don’t have this extension, you can add Bugs from the WordPress admin area. image After clicking the “Add Bug” button, you’ll see a modal window where you can enter the Bug details. Bugs can be assigned to users and can be given a status as well as severity. image You can control the Severity and the Status for bugs by going to UpStream > Bugs. image You can find a list of all the Bugs for all your Projects by going to Projects > Bugs in your admin area: image Disabling Bugs If you don’t want Bugs on a single project, you can disable them for a single project by checking this box in the Bugs Settings area: image You can also disable Bugs for all your projects by going to UpStream > General and checking this box: image Find out more about disabling features in UpStream by clicking here.