Overview
Notebooks are Dash360’s structured documentation system. A notebook category is a named field (or set of fields) that appears on a specific type of record — a WBS element, a work package, a resource assignment, or a risk register entry. Project teams use notebook entries to capture assumptions, justifications, references, and any other narrative content that belongs alongside the estimate data.
Administrators create notebook categories here and then assign them to projects in Project Settings. Each project can have its own set of categories, or projects can share categories.
Permissions
Administrator role required.
Where Notebooks Appear
Notebook entries can be attached to four types of records:
| Type | Where It Shows in the App |
|---|
| WBS | On each WBS element card in the WBS Dictionary; visible in WBS quality check reports |
| Work Package | In the Details section of the Budget Form; in the Notebook Quality Check Report |
| Resource Assignment | Inside the Add/Edit RA modal on the Budget Form |
| Risk Register | On risk register entries in the Risk Register module |
Notebook Category Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|
| Name | The display label for this field (e.g., “Basis of Estimate”, “Assumptions”) | Yes |
| Type | Which record type this category applies to (WBS, Work Package, Resource Assignment, Risk Register) | Yes |
| Description | Optional description of what this field is for | No |
| Code File | Optional — link this category to a code file so the entry is selected from a dropdown instead of free-text | No |
Notebook Options (Predefined Values)
For categories where you want users to choose from a fixed list rather than entering free text, add Notebook Options to the category. Each option becomes a selectable choice in the dropdown when users fill in the field.
To add options: open a category, click Add Option, enter the value, and save. Add as many options as needed. If a category has no options, it displays as a free-text field.
Creating a Notebook Category
- Click Add Notebook Category.
- Set the name, type, and optional code file link.
- Save.
- Add notebook options if a dropdown is preferred over free text.
- Assign the category to projects via Project Settings.
Editing and Deleting
Edit a category’s name, description, or linked code file at any time. Note that renaming a category changes what users see for all existing entries.
Deleting a notebook category removes the category definition and all entries users have made under it across every project that uses it. This cannot be undone. If you only want to stop using a category on new projects, simply remove it from the project’s notebook category assignment rather than deleting the category itself.
Notebook Quality Check Reports
The Budget Reports area includes quality check reports that show whether notebook entries are populated for each WBS element and work package. Use these reports before a review to find gaps.
