Is there a way to predict backlog for projects and to track actual start/finish dates for tasks as compared to planned

Hello,

I'm new to project management and zoho projects. I have spent a few hours online watching some videos as well as doing some google searching but have a few questions I have not found the answer to.

Is there a way to enter the required milestones, task lists, tasks and subtasks for a project and then come up with an expected project completion date based upon a start date? Is there also a way to work backwards and determine a suggested start date based upon a completion date deadline? (Much like microsoft projects can do)

Furthermore, is there a way to add exceptions to the above scheduling estimation process based upon resource and work day availability? For example: I want to exclude resources on certain days because of vacation restrictions. I want to exclude certain work days due to "holiday" designation or a non-working day.

I was also wondering if there is a way to track actual start and finish dates for a task as compared to the entered expected start and finished dates.

Thank you in advance for the help.

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