Summary task duration

[PatrickatKAZ]

The task duration of a summary task shows as zero if the sub-tasks are
assigned to resources that have non-default working days. For example,
resource A calendar has Saturday & Sunday as non standard work days but the
Standard (Project Calendar) has these days as non-working days. The detail
tasks have a 2 day duration (ie. Sat & Sun) but the summary task shows as
zero duration. Is there any option/setting to address this ? (I use MS
Project 2003).

 

[John]

The task duration of a summary task shows as zero if the sub-tasks are
assigned to resources that have non-default working days. For example,
resource A calendar has Saturday & Sunday as non standard work days but the
Standard (Project Calendar) has these days as non-working days. The detail
tasks have a 2 day duration (ie. Sat & Sun) but the summary task shows as
zero duration. Is there any option/setting to address this ? (I use MS
Project 2003).

PatrickatKAZ,
Actually the duration of a summary line has nothing to do with
resources, it is strictly the difference in working time between the
start of the earliest subtask and the finish of the latest subtask.
However in the scenario you described, the summary line duration is
based on project calendar working days, (it has no resources associated
with it), and the two weekend days are not working days in the project
calendar.

There is no option setting to "correct" this because it isn't a glitch.
You have simply created a very unique schedule condition that given
Project's scheduling engine, results in some unusual data.

John
Project MVP

 

[PatrickatKAZ]

Thanks John but I don't agree that I have a unique situation - there would be
many projects with multiple resources, where a selective number of resources
are allocated to non-standard working days for tasks that must occur on a
non-standard working day (eg. a change to a production environment). I would
have thought the Project calendar would have been "smart" enough to cope with
different Resource calendars, eg. the Project calendar should the "sum" of
the Resource calendars.

I can get around the whole issue by reversing the situation, ie. set Sat &
Sun as "nondefault working time" in the Project calendar, then set all
resources to have Sat & Sun as "nonworking time" except for the resource that
I want to allocate to the task on Sat & Sun (but I was hoping for a
"standard" MS Project method).

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Patrick,

One work around would be to give the summary the same calendar as the
resource. Project/Task Information/Advanced tab and select the calendar.

Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[John]

Thanks John but I don't agree that I have a unique situation - there would be
many projects with multiple resources, where a selective number of resources
are allocated to non-standard working days for tasks that must occur on a
non-standard working day (eg. a change to a production environment). I would
have thought the Project calendar would have been "smart" enough to cope with
different Resource calendars, eg. the Project calendar should the "sum" of
the Resource calendars.

I can get around the whole issue by reversing the situation, ie. set Sat &
Sun as "nondefault working time" in the Project calendar, then set all
resources to have Sat & Sun as "nonworking time" except for the resource that
I want to allocate to the task on Sat & Sun (but I was hoping for a
"standard" MS Project method).

PatrickatKAZ,
The specific scenario you presented is unique however, I agree that in
certain projects (e.g. projects that may run 24-7) the user must be
careful when setting up the working time calendars. If done properly,
Project will accommodate that type of schedule but bear in mind that
Project probably isn't the best production planning application.

It sounds like you have already figured out something that works and
Mike provided another approach. Either of those methods might be
considered "standard" when viewed in the context of how Project is being
used in your specific situation.

John
Project MVP