Work packages

In OpenProject, you can configure several work package–related settings individually for each project. This includes enabling work package types, assigning categories, and activating custom fields. To do so, go to Project settings, select Work packages, and open the relevant tab.

Work package types

You can enable or disable work package types for a specific project by following these steps:

  1. Select a project from the drop-down menu in the top-left corner of the header.

  2. Navigate to Project settings → Work packages in the project menu. By default, you’ll see the Types tab, which lists all available work package types.

    The table shows whether each type is:

    • Enabled in the current project

    • Displayed in the roadmap by default

    • Considered a milestone

  3. Check the work package types you want to enable and click the Save button to apply your changes.

Work package types under project settings in OpenProject

Tip

Work package types can be managed under System Administration -> Work packages -> Types.

Work package categories

In a work package form, you can use work package categories to classify work packages. These categories help you differentiate, filter, and group work packages by specific attributes.

You can manage work package categories specific to a project under Project settings → Work packages → Categories.

Create a new work package category

Press the green + Category button to create a new category for a project.

Work package categories tab under work package module in project settings in OpenProject

You can then name the category and choose a default Assignee if the work package has this category. Press the Create button to add the new category.

A form to create a new work package category under project settings in OpenProject

Edit or delete a category

From the list of categories you can choose a category to edit or delete.

Press the edit button to make changes to a category. Press the delete button to delete a category.

Edit or delete a work package category under project settings in OpenProject

Work package custom fields

Custom fields for work packages can be enabled or disabled in the Project settings of each project.

Custom fields are additional attribute fields that can be added to extend existing data fields. They can be used in various sections, including work packages, spent time, projects, versions, users, groups, time tracking activities, and work package priorities.

Note

The instructions in this section apply only to custom fields for work packages.

Before enabling a custom field in a project, it must first be created in the system administration. Once it’s created, open the relevant project and go to Project settings-> Work packages -> Custom fields.

Custom fields settings in OpenProject project settings

Here, you can:

  • Manage an existing custom field by clicking on its name.

  • Enable or disable the custom field for the project. If a custom field is globally enabled in the system administration, it will appear automatically in all projects.

  • View which work package types the custom field is already enabled for. Custom fields will only be active for the work package types displayed under Contained in type column. You can add a custom field to additional work package types by adding them to the respective work package form.

Create a new work package custom field by clicking the + Custom field button in the top right corner.

Tip

Keep in mind that you have to be a system administrator in order to create new custom fields.

Press the Save button to apply your changes.