---
title: "Managing Overdue Tasks in BigPicture: Custom Status and Built-in Tracking Features"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/SUPPORT/3609002007/Managing%20Overdue%20Tasks%20in%20BigPicture%3A%20Custom%20Status%20and%20Built-in%20Tracking%20Features"
format: markdown
---
This article addresses multiple use cases for tracking delayed work:

- **Scenario 1:** Adding a custom "Overdue" status to a Jira workflow to be reflected in BigPicture.
- **Scenario 2:** Using built-in BigPicture indicators and columns to highlight overdue tasks without changing workflows.

---

## Scenario 1: Adding a Custom "Overdue" Status to the Workflow

If your organization requires a formal "Overdue" status in the task lifecycle, you must configure this in Jira. BigPicture reflects the Jira workflow and does not maintain a separate set of statuses.

### Context

The user wanted to add an "Overdue" field to their standard workflow (Pending, In Progress, In Analysis, Completed) and apply it across all Box types (Agile, Classic, Hybrid, etc.).

### Solution

1. **Jira Configuration:** A Jira Administrator must add the "Overdue" status in **Jira Administration > Workflows**.
2. **Mapping:** Jira uses three fixed status categories: **To Do** (Gray), **In Progress** (Blue), and **Done** (Green). Any new status must be mapped to one of these.
  - *Note:* An "Overdue" status mapped to "In Progress" will appear **blue** in BigPicture.
3. **Visibility:** Once added to the Jira workflow scheme, the status automatically appears in BigPicture across all Box types using that scheme.

---

## Scenario 2: Using Built-in Overdue Tracking (Recommended)

BigPicture provides automated tools to visualize delays based on task end dates. This method is recommended as it requires no workflow changes and provides better visual highlighting.

### Context

The user wanted to highlight overdue tasks in the task list and timeline.

### Solution: Highlighting Overdue Tasks

BigPicture offers three main ways to track delays automatically:

#### 1. Overdue Task Indicators on Gantt Timeline

You can enable color-coding directly on the Gantt chart timeline:

- **Red:** Task is >7 days overdue.
- **Yellow:** Task is 3–7 days overdue.

**How to enable (New Navigation):**

1. Open the **Gantt** module.
2. In the top toolbar, click **Indicators**.
3. Toggle on the **Overdue tasks** option.

*Note: In older versions of BigPicture, this setting was located under ****View > Task indicators****.*

#### 2. Overdue Columns in Task List

You can add specific data columns to your Gantt or Scope view to see the exact delay:

- **Overdue (End Date):** Displays the number of days past the scheduled end date.
- **Overdue (Start Date):** Displays the number of days past the scheduled start date.

**How to add columns:**

1. Click the **Columns** (cog icon) in the task list header.
2. Search for "Overdue".
3. Select the desired field to add it to your view.

#### 3. Infobar Overdue Report

The Infobar provides a consolidated list of all delayed tasks.

1. Open the **Infobar** (right-hand sidebar) in the Gantt module.
2. Select the **Overdue** report icon.
3. The list will show all tasks past their end date, sorted by the length of the delay.

---

## Related Articles

- <u>[Overdue tasks Guide](https://support.appfire.com/space/SPM/1918537803/Overdue+tasks)</u>
- <u>[Task color-coding options](https://support.appfire.com/space/SPM/1918636160/Task+color)</u>
- <u>[Gantt module overview](https://support.appfire.com/space/SPM/1918797129/Gantt+module)</u>