Circular ref in master projects

[Steve Scott]

I have a master project linking to a number of sub projects, if one of the
underlying plans has a circular ref in it, does that disable calculation in
the master project and therefore the other project plans are not being
calculated?

 

[John]

I have a master project linking to a number of sub projects, if one of the
underlying plans has a circular ref in it, does that disable calculation in
the master project and therefore the other project plans are not being
calculated?

Steve,
I guess it depends on the extent of the circular relationship. Given a
circular relationship you are lucky that the master will open at all. I
suggest you address the cause of the circular relationship and then your
question will go away.

First turn off automatic calculation and open the master. Then check
that there are no links on any summary lines in any project. If that's
clear, you can either manually trace the link path of the circular
relationship and eliminate it or you might try using fellow MVP, Jack
Dahlgren's Trace macro. You can find that macro on Jack's website at:
http://masamiki.com/project/macros.htm

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[Steve Scott]

problem is I have 191 projects loaded into a consolidated plan. I need to
know if the 2 projects concerned causing circular references cause MSP to
turn off calculation totally for everything. If it does then I have a major
priority to get them fixed, if not then I can tell the PMs to sort them out
when they can and not worry about them further.

Rgds

Steve

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Well it is simple.
Put a task with a must start on constraint in any "unsuspected" project of
the master.
Does it obey the constraint? Then calculation is OK, if not, you have yoyr
answer.
HTH

 

[John]

problem is I have 191 projects loaded into a consolidated plan. I need to
know if the 2 projects concerned causing circular references cause MSP to
turn off calculation totally for everything. If it does then I have a major
priority to get them fixed, if not then I can tell the PMs to sort them out
when they can and not worry about them further.

Rgds

Steve

Steve,
If you have circular relationships in ANY of the 191 plans, in my
opinion that by itself is a major priority. Project is telling you that
something major is hosed with your schedule and if it isn't fixed, the
schedule is useless.

John
Project MVP