When working with the CCPM methodology, the user has the opportunity to switch from Planning Mode to Tracking Mode by using the dedicated buttons:
 | Planning Mode | Indicates that the project is in Tracking Mode. Upon clicking on it, the user goes back to the Planning Mode. |
 | Tracking Mode | Indicates that the project is in Planning Mode. Upon clicking on the icon, the user goes to Tracking Mode. |
Clicking on the Planning Mode command prepares the Critical Chain project for the planning phase by:
Setting the Schedule Direction Project field to “Backward”,
Unlocking all buffers, enabling them to be adjusted as needed,
Clearing Pin date values on tasks, so that the tasks can move as needed when changing from ASAP to ALAP Schedule Type,
Setting the Schedule Type Task field for all tasks to ALAP (as late as possible).
When in Planning Mode, a horizontal orange line is displayed under the Gantt view.
Clicking on the Tracking Mode command prepares the Critical Chain project for the tracking phase by:
Setting the project’s Schedule Direction Project field to “Forward”,
Locking all buffers, making them available for use as needed by task schedule overruns,
Setting Pin date values on tasks, preventing tasks from moving when changing from ALAP to ASAP Schedule Type,
Setting the Schedule Type Task field for all tasks to ASAP (as soon as possible).
When in Tracking Mode, a horizontal green line is displayed under the Gantt view.