Complete Through Date in Future

[Crook]

Hi All!

May I ask a Friday afternoon question please?

Question: Why is the Completed Through date as displayed in the progress
lines on my gantt charts a date in the future? In my case, many of my tasks
show a completed through date of 08/01/07, though I have work scheduled
between now (07/20) and 08/01 and I have no actual work in those dates.

I finished updating my project plans. (We use Project Server 2003, but this
question is about Project Pro 2003.) I accepted my updates from the server.
Hit cancel so the updated tasks remained marked. Then used the update
project dialog box to reschedule uncompleted work after today's date
(07/20/07) for selected tasks only. Project dutifully moved the tasks out
(mostly out, sigh). However, I have noticed for the past few weeks that the
completed through dates and progress lines on my gantt charts (tracking and
regular) show the most of the tasks as being completed through a future date
(08/01). Even though I have work scheduled for days between then and now
and have no actual work between then and now.

I have tried to provide all relevant information, but if anything further is
required, please let me know and I will provide it.

MS Project Pro 2003 SP2a
Project Server 2003 SP2 - if it matters

I'm so confused!
Crook

 

[CQ]

In my experience, this occurs when the task is fixed duration or has a fixed
date constraint and the settings to have the schedule dates move forward or
backward based on the actual date are not set to move. Therefore, the system
puts the date it "should be" rather than the actual date. The converse is
true as well- completing late won't show as late, it will show as scheduled.


CQ

 

[Crook]

Hi CQ,

Thank you for the reply. I appreciate your time! Are the "the settings to
have the schedule dates move forward or

backward based on the actual date are not set to move" the schedule
adjustments for early and late tasks on the Calculations tab of the
Options dialog? I believe that is what is referenced. I have taken your
advice and turned on all options. Most of the tasks displaying inaccurate
complete through dates are fixed units, but some are fixed work. I note
in the help file about the schedule calculations, copied below, that these
settings do not control placement of actual and remaining work when
tracking progress by entering actual work by time period. All the
projects in question have actual work entered by time period (day).
Still, you may be on to something, so I'm going to try it.

Schedule adjustments for early and late tasks
In Project, progress is viewed and recorded as of the status date. By
default, when you enter progress as percent complete or total work to date,
Project uses the status date to determine where to place actual work and
where to schedule remaining work. You can modify the default settings for
how the status date is used for placing actual work and remaining work where
you want, particularly when assignments are completed earlier or later than
scheduled.

Using these controls is particularly useful when you want to see "ahead of
schedule" progress lines. They're also useful for changing how earned value
is accrued.

Note that these settings do not control the placement of actual and
remaining work when you track progress by entering actual work by time
period.

Move end of completed parts after status date back to status date This check
box is for tasks that were scheduled to start after the status date but
actually started early. If this check box is selected, the completed portion
of the task moves back to finish at the status date. If this check box is
cleared, the completed portion is set to finish as previously scheduled. By
default, this check box is cleared.



And move start of remaining parts back to status date This check box is for
tasks that were scheduled to start after the status date but actually
started early. If this check box is selected, the remaining portion of the
task moves back to start at the status date. If this check box is cleared,
the remaining portion of the task is set to finish as previously scheduled.
By default, this check box is cleared.



Move start of remaining parts before status date forward to status date This
check box is for tasks that were scheduled to start before the status date
but actually started late. If this check box is selected, the remaining
portion of the task moves forward to start at the status date. If this check
box is cleared, the remaining portion of the task is set to start as
previously scheduled. By default, this check box is cleared.



And move end of completed parts forward to status date This check box is for
tasks that were scheduled to finish before the status date but actually
finished late. If this check box is selected, the completed portion of the
task moves forward to finish at the status date. If this check box is
cleared, the completed portion of the task is set to finish as previously
scheduled. By default, this check box is cleared.



Thank you again! I appreciate your time,
Crook

 

[CQ]

Hey Crook,

Yes, those were the settings that I was referring to. I am not positive
here but I believe that making that change in the middle of a schedule will
only affect tasks "from now on" - and probably only for tasks that do not
currently have any work against them. You also talked about the status date
- you are correct that you can change that to any date and it will be "the
line" by which tasks move forward or backward. Most people just use the
default (today's date) as the Status Date but that all depends on how often
you do updates and how you want the schedule to look as you go forward.

 

[Crook]

Hey CQ,

Got it, thanks. I have made the changes to one of my projects and will
monitor it for future differences. I appreciate the heads up about this
possibly applying only to future tasks.

Take care,
Crook