Representing Buffer

[Maanu]

Hi,

I need to add a buffer(10 days) at the end of the schedule to cover possible
slippage. The buffer should decrease automatically with respect to the
slippage. Is it possible to add such a buffer using microsoft project?

Thanks!

 

[Rob Schneider]

AFAIK, there is no way to do this "automatically" or algorithmically.
You can certainly add a buffer task to the end of the schedule, at at
intervals based on actual project performance adjust the definition of
that project-ending buffer task however you like.

I suppose if you really want things to be automatic you could design and
implement an algorithm in a macro which does this adjustment.

But on normal projects which occur over weeks/months/years, doing it
manually every few days/weeks/months doesn't seem inappropriate.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[Andrew Lavinsky]

Like this?
http://blogs.catapultsystems.com/ep...o-setting-buffers-part-1-schedule-buffer.aspx

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Manu,

Simple.Add a task (0 days duration) with a Must Start On constraint 10 days
after the end of the final task. Show the Total Slack column: it shows your
buffer which will automatically adjust when tasks slip.

Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[Jim Aksel]

To make sure I understand, what this this does is gives the last milestone
task a total slack of 0 days while increasing the slack of all other schedule
tasks by 10 days (or an agreed amount).

So, I would also alter tools/options/calculations and set "show tasks are
critical when total slack" <10. I would then monitor the minumim value of
total slack that is greater than 0. If the schedule is correct, I would
have 1 task (the milestone) with total slack 0, all critical path tasks have
total slack 10 days (it was 0) and then all other tasks are expected to have
total slack greater than 10. So there should be a void with no tasks have
less than 10 days total slack.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Maanu]

I do not understand the point clearly. Can you make it clear?

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

I do not manage critical path (when tasks are critical the project is
generally already doomed) but Auto Filter always tells me which tasks have
the smallest buffer.

Greetings,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf