Deadlines & Schedules
Configure when assignments are due with single deadlines, recurring schedules, or open-ended completion.
Deadlines determine when users must complete their assigned materials. Enlytning offers three deadline types to match different compliance and training needs.
Deadline Types
When creating an assignment, choose from three options:
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| No Deadline | Optional training, reference materials, ongoing resources |
| Single | One-time compliance, onboarding tasks, time-sensitive training |
| Recurring | Annual certifications, quarterly refreshers, ongoing compliance |
No Deadline
Choose "No deadline" when you want users to complete the material at their own pace without time pressure.
Configuration
- Select No deadline from the dropdown.
- Set a Start date—when the material becomes available to assignees.
Users will see the material in their Learn queue from the start date onwards, but won't have a due date displayed.
Use Cases
No deadline is ideal for reference materials, optional professional development, or supplementary resources that users can access whenever needed.
Single Deadline
A single deadline sets a specific date by which all assignees must complete the material.
Configuration
- Select Single from the dropdown.
- Set a Start date—when the material becomes available.
- Set a Deadline—when completion is due.
Users will see both the availability date and the deadline in their Learn queue. After the deadline passes, incomplete assignments are marked as overdue.
Overdue Assignments
When a user misses a single deadline:
- The assignment is flagged as overdue in reports.
- The user can still complete the material (unless you unassign them).
- Admins receive notifications if configured.
Recurring Deadlines
Recurring deadlines automatically create new completion cycles on a set frequency. This is essential for compliance training that requires periodic renewal.
Surveys
Recurring deadlines are not available for surveys—only courses and policies support this option.
Configuration
- Select Recurring from the dropdown.
- Choose how the recurrence ends:
- Start and end date: Run between two specific dates.
- Set occurrences: Run a fixed number of times.
- No end date: Run indefinitely until manually stopped.
- Set the Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, or Yearly.
- Set the Start date—when the first cycle begins.
- If using date range, set the End date.
How Recurring Assignments Work
Each cycle works as follows:
- On the start date, users receive a new assignment for the material.
- They have until the next cycle date to complete it.
- When a new cycle begins, their completion status resets.
- Historical completions are preserved for each cycle.
Example: A yearly compliance course starting January 1st:
- Cycle 1: Jan 1 – Dec 31 (Year 1)
- Cycle 2: Jan 1 – Dec 31 (Year 2)
- And so on...
Frequency Options
| Frequency | Cycle Length | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Every month on the same date | High-frequency compliance, safety reminders |
| Quarterly | Every 3 months | Risk assessments, policy refreshers |
| Yearly | Every 12 months | Annual certifications, regulatory compliance |
Date Clamping
For monthly or quarterly frequencies starting after the 28th of the month, the recurrence will run on the 28th to ensure consistent scheduling across all months.
Ending a Recurring Assignment
Recurring assignments continue until:
- The end date is reached (if using date range).
- All occurrences are complete (if using set occurrences).
- An admin manually unassigns the users.
Best Practices
Choosing the Right Deadline Type
- Regulatory compliance: Use recurring with the frequency required by regulations.
- New hire onboarding: Use single deadlines tied to probation periods.
- Policy updates: Use single deadlines to ensure timely acknowledgment.
- Optional training: Use no deadline to avoid unnecessary pressure.
Setting Realistic Timeframes
Consider these factors when setting deadlines:
- Material length: Longer courses need more time.
- User workload: Avoid peak business periods if possible.
- Complexity: Technical content may require multiple sessions.
- Time zones: Your organisation's timezone affects all deadlines.
Monitoring Compliance
Track deadline compliance from Manage > Material:
- View completion rates and overdue counts.
- Filter by status to find users who need reminders.
- Export data for compliance reporting.