Cost Field Changes when number are pasted into a Cost_X or Number_X field

[ctreeves2001]

Simple set up: With MS Project 2007, calculations are set up based on
Physical % Complete. Schedule is a cost loaded, baselined schedule.
Show (for example) cost1 field set up for summing. Show the baseline
cost field and the cost field. Some tasks have a P%Compl > 0 and
actual costs....a normally progressing schedule. Copy the Baseline
Cost column into the Cost1 field. This will change almost all (but
not all) of the Cost field numbers if P%Compl > 0 (and Baseline Cost
field does not = Cost field).

It does not seem to affect the EAC, BCWS, BCWP, etc.

I've been working on this issue on and off for a couple weeks with
variable results. I create a small schedule from scratch and can't
seem to repeat the problem but have several 'real world' schedules
that all exhibit this behavior. I can provide a copy to anyone who
might offer help. I showed all the calculating cost_X fields and a
couple of number_X fields. Copying and pasting a column of numbers
into any of these fields results in the exhibited behavior of changing
(most of) the MS Proj "Cost" fields. (Nothing is modified on the
cost_X or number_X fields, e.g. none of them is a summing column,
etc.)

I'm copying and pasting an entire column or part of a column using
CNTL C and CNTL V. I did notice that putting the cursor in an
individual cell and making it active before pasting a number will
allow the paste to take place without changing the "Cost" field.

A very quirky piece of S/W at times. But I've got a team of guys
doing Earned Value schedules with MS Proj and it seems to be something
that no one else in our entire 11,000 employee company has been able
to do. In fact, they've all said MS Proj can't do EV Schedules
because of too many "bugs". All the 'bugs' have turned out to be
operator error....except maybe this one. Also, seems we're the only
group that have been able to create genuine EV Schedules for the
70,000 employee company we have the contract with to provide project
controls.

So figuring this one out would be a welcomed relief....I hope it's
just something I'm not quite understanding but .....

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Ray Stratton, PMP, EVP]

Simple set up: With MS Project 2007, calculations are set up based on
Physical % Complete. Schedule is a cost loaded, baselined schedule.
Show (for example) cost1 field set up for summing. Show the baseline
cost field and the cost field. Some tasks have a P%Compl > 0 and
actual costs....a normally progressing schedule. Copy the Baseline
Cost column into the Cost1 field. This will change almost all (but
not all) of the Cost field numbers if P%Compl > 0 (and Baseline Cost
field does not = Cost field).

It does not seem to affect the EAC, BCWS, BCWP, etc.

I've been working on this issue on and off for a couple weeks with
variable results. I create a small schedule from scratch and can't
seem to repeat the problem but have several 'real world' schedules
that all exhibit this behavior. I can provide a copy to anyone who
might offer help. I showed all the calculating cost_X fields and a
couple of number_X fields. Copying and pasting a column of numbers
into any of these fields results in the exhibited behavior of changing
(most of) the MS Proj "Cost" fields. (Nothing is modified on the
cost_X or number_X fields, e.g. none of them is a summing column,
etc.)

I'm copying and pasting an entire column or part of a column using
CNTL C and CNTL V. I did notice that putting the cursor in an
individual cell and making it active before pasting a number will
allow the paste to take place without changing the "Cost" field.

A very quirky piece of S/W at times. But I've got a team of guys
doingEarned Valueschedules with MS Proj and it seems to be something
that no one else in our entire 11,000 employee company has been able
to do. In fact, they've all said MS Proj can't do EV Schedules
because of too many "bugs". All the 'bugs' have turned out to be
operator error....except maybe this one. Also, seems we're the only
group that have been able to create genuine EV Schedules for the
70,000 employee company we have the contract with to provide project
controls.

So figuring this one out would be a welcomed relief....I hope it's
just something I'm not quite understanding but .....

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

Tom..

I heard and seen all kinds of challenges using MSP for EVM. I've been
successful by using MSP for schedule, project cost data, and MS Excel
to integrate the two. This adds the power of excels graphics and
analysis, and still takes advantage of MSP scheduling tools, and
project cost reporting regardless of how its done. Contact me if you
would like to see samples of the EzEVM(tm) excel workbook templates.

Ray