Create a project

Before you start#

Before you create your first project, make sure these are in place:

• At least one client — projects can't exist without one.
• At least one location (office branch).
• Optionally, a project type with stages, if you want the workflow seeded.

Steps#

1. Open the new-project dialog

   From the projects page, click "New project". The dialog opens with empty fields.

2. Pick a project type (optional but recommended)

   Selecting a type at this point seeds the project's stages from the type's template. You can still edit the stages on the project afterwards.

3. Set the identifier

   Choose a short code that's unique within your company (e.g. `2026-014`). This is what the project will be called everywhere in the UI.

4. Pick the client, location, and responsible employee

   Client and location are required. The responsible employee is optional, but worth setting — it's the person the project pings when something needs attention.

5. Fill in the address and dates

   The site address (not the client's address). A due date is optional; you can also set start, ready, and concluded dates as the project progresses.

6. Save

   On save, Vellum creates the project, applies the project type's stage template if you picked one, and takes you to the project's detail page.

Common issues#

If save fails, the most common reasons are:

• Identifier already in use. The combination of company + identifier needs to be unique. Pick a different code.
• Missing required field. Client and location are required, even when the validation message isn't very specific.
• Permissions. General users can create projects, but a few admin-only fields (like project type templates) are off-limits.