---
key: create-a-project
title: Create a project
audience: staff
section: projects-tasks
routes: ["/work/projects", "/work/projects/new"]
permissions: ["work.projects.create"]
features: ["work.projects"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Start a project for a customer from the Projects page, give it a name, dates and a portfolio, or build it from a template that brings its phases and tasks with it.
keywords: [new project, big job, multi-day work, renovation, install project, project template, phases, group work orders]
related: [archive-or-restore-a-project, create-a-task, create-a-portfolio, create-a-work-order]
---

In the sidebar, open **Projects & Tasks**, then **Projects**. The page address is `/work/projects`, and a new project opens at `/work/projects/new`. A project groups the tasks and work orders for one larger piece of work for one customer, such as a full system replacement, so you can see progress in one place.

## Before you start

- The customer needs an account in Nova. If they are new, you can create the account from inside the form as long as your role can create accounts.
- Your admin has to give your role the **Create projects** permission. Without it, **New Project** does not appear.

## Steps

1. Press **New Project** at the top of the Projects list. The **New Project** page opens.
2. If your organization has project templates, **Start point** offers **Blank project** or **From template**. Leave **Blank project** selected for a one-off.
3. Type the **Name**.
4. Under **Account**, type the customer's name in **Search accounts** and pick them.
5. Pick a **Portfolio** if this project belongs to a larger program of work; otherwise leave it blank. See [[create-a-portfolio]].
6. Set the **Status**, then the **Start date** and **Due date** if you know them.
7. Add a **Description** for the team. It is internal; customers never see it.
8. Press **Save**. Nova shows **Project created.** and opens the project.

## What you see

- The project page is where its tasks, work orders, notes and files live from now on.
- Back on the Projects list, the row shows the **Project** name and number, its **Account**, **Portfolio**, **Status**, **Start**, **Due** and when it was **Updated**.
- The **Project** number field at the top of the form is optional; Nova assigns the next number if you leave it blank.
- The note under the form reads **Project status can be updated later.**: you can change the status any time from the project.

## If something looks different

- **Name is required.** or **Account is required.** appears: fill that field in and press **Save** again.
- You chose **From template**: the name field reads **Project name**, a template panel appears where you pick the template and its roles, the date fields disappear, and the button reads **Create project**. Nova creates the project with the template's phases and tasks.
- The **Branch** field appears: your organization has several branches. The project follows the portfolio's branch or the customer's home branch; press **Change** to pick another.
- You opened the form from an account page: **Account** is already filled in.
- To edit a project later, open its row menu and choose **Edit**. To take it off the list, see [[archive-or-restore-a-project]].

[[route:/work/projects/new|Create a project]]