Summary tasks for cross-project links

[gb]

In one .mpp, I have a two tasks. Then, in another .mpp I created
cross-project links as predecessors to the second task. In the first .mpp, I
indented these links to identify the first task as a summary task, and to
roll-up the start and finish date of the summary task.

However, the scheduled work hours from the cross-project links do not
roll-up. Additionally, these links don't appear to be addressed by the
critical path. Is this a limitation of Project? Or, am I doing this
incorrectly?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

gb --

You are doing it correctly, and you are seeing the limitations of external
dependencies (Work does not roll up and they do not show as Critical tasks).
Hope this helps.

 

[gb]

Dale,

Thanks for the quick response. Would you suggest that I go completely with
the Master/Sub-project relationship? I know this would roll-up the Work hours
and allow for a critical path; but, since we are using horizontal project
management, the cross-project linking would be ideal.

Also, do using hammocks provide any similar benefit? They don't appear to
capture
Work hours either.

http://blogs.mscommunity.net/blogs/...09/dependent-task-quot-hammock-task-quot.aspx

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

gb --

For your purposes, a master project would best allow you to manage the
cross-project needs. Hammock tasks would not work for you as well. You use
hammock tasks to create a task whose Duration "grows" or "shrinks" based on
the Start date and Finish dates of other tasks. Hope this helps.

 

[Daniel Zitter - Matan Consulting]

gp,
We, at Matan, have created a tool to allow the functionality you are looking
for. We call it MasterLink, and it allows you to connect to hammock tasks,
and see both % complete and work data in the connected project file. feel
free to contact me for more details.

Daniel

(e-mail address removed)