Creating Red Yellow Green Indicator lights

[Dan]

Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status light of a task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the "red, Yellow or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out for the life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.

 

[Dan]

Dale:
PRECISELY what I was after and thank you very much!!

As it turns out, I do want to use the stoplights in both Project and in a
new server set up our company has just set up. We are trying EPM for the
first time.

In which part of our Country do you reside?

Dan

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Dan --

I live and work from my home in Denver, Colorado. Our company is
headquartered in the Financial District of New York City. We serve clients
world-wide and we all travel wherever we are needed. Please feel to to
contact us regarding your Project Server implmentation.

 

[Dan]

Dale:
If we have problems, I will certainly keep you in mind. Can you provide me a
contact method?
Dan

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Dan --

Click either hyperlink in my signature block. Or you can send an e-mail
message to me at:

dale(dot)howard(at)msprojectexperts(dot)com

Hope this helps.

 

[Dan]

Thank you, Dale!

Dan --

Click either hyperlink in my signature block. Or you can send an e-mail
message to me at:

dale(dot)howard(at)msprojectexperts(dot)com

Hope this helps.

 

[Vickifb]

Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed: "Select the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values. I have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields and I do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work off of the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the test) and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0 AND [Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show Green light.

Help?

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed: "Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values. I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work off of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the test) and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0 AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show Green
light.

Help?

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Vickifb --

Project level custom fields are only available when using Microsoft Project
Professional 2002, 2003, or 2007 in a Project Server environment. You
cannot use them with Project 2000. So, you are NOT the idiot on the block
after all!

Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed: "Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values. I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work off of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the test) and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0 AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show Green
light.

Help?

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.

 

[Vickifb]

Shew I feel much better! Thanks Dale, I am working on Jan
s suggesitons now

Vickifb --

Project level custom fields are only available when using Microsoft Project
Professional 2002, 2003, or 2007 in a Project Server environment. You
cannot use them with Project 2000. So, you are NOT the idiot on the block
after all!

Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed: "Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values. I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work off of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the test) and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0 AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show Green
light.

Help?

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status light of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the "red, Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out for the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Vickifb]

Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date? or is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days out but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed: "Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values. I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work off of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the test) and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0 AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show Green
light.

Help?

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status light of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the "red, Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out for the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the baseline and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any work on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date? or is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values. I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0 AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the "red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Vickifb]

Jan, sorry but this has confused me.
I got the baseline set.
But I do not follow the rest.
Do I need to add a column for Acutal Duration?
And if I do what is my criteria, to have the indicator stoplight show yellow
is not completed?

Vicki

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the baseline and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any work on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date? or is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values. I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0 AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the "red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

You could indeed insert columns for Actual Duration and Remaining duration
but if you show the Tracking toolbar (can you do that, Tools, Customize,
Toolbars) there is a button "Update Tasks"
Select the task you want to track, click the Update Tasks button: it has it
all for you. Actual duration, remaining duration, actual start.

As for the buttons, refer to my previous mail (still attached below). Don't
worry about the fact the formula uses %complete: Project will calculate that
from actual and remaining duration.

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Jan, sorry but this has confused me.
I got the baseline set.
But I do not follow the rest.
Do I need to add a column for Acutal Duration?
And if I do what is my criteria, to have the indicator stoplight show
yellow
is not completed?

Vicki

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you
should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the baseline and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any work
on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the
selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date? or
is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days
out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

:

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select
the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values.
I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work
off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the
test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0
AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show
Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status
light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the "red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out
for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Vickifb]

Sorry still lost on the formula, unless you are refering to the statement
that provides how to find the 100%
(??Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click graphical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want. ??)

I cannot figure out how to make the yelllow and red lights show for a task
that might be late or is late. What is that criteria, and is it located in
the same place as the 100% is located?

Vicki

VIcki

Hi,

You could indeed insert columns for Actual Duration and Remaining duration
but if you show the Tracking toolbar (can you do that, Tools, Customize,
Toolbars) there is a button "Update Tasks"
Select the task you want to track, click the Update Tasks button: it has it
all for you. Actual duration, remaining duration, actual start.

As for the buttons, refer to my previous mail (still attached below). Don't
worry about the fact the formula uses %complete: Project will calculate that
from actual and remaining duration.

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Jan, sorry but this has confused me.
I got the baseline set.
But I do not follow the rest.
Do I need to add a column for Acutal Duration?
And if I do what is my criteria, to have the indicator stoplight show
yellow
is not completed?

Vicki

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you
should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the baseline and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any work
on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the
selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date? or
is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days
out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

:

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000, I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and select
the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and values.
I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step: "To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work
off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100 then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the
test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0
AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show
Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status
light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the "red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out
for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

My example only shows the first part of your question, a light when the task
is 100% done

Let's take it one step at the time
1. Tools, Customize, Fields, select Type=Number, then Number1
Are you now on a form that says customize fields?
Do you see the word Formula?
Do you see the words Graphical indicators?

If not, restart: Tools menu, etc.

If yes

2. Click on the word Formula

You now see a form that asks for the definition of a formula.
Can you see the word field here?
If not, try to start again.

If yes,

Click the word Field
select Number

This is the formula as I see your needs...maybe not but it's a start

Iif(([(% Complete]=100),1,Iif([Finish]>[Baseline Finish],2,3))

OK for the formula, you are going back to the Customize fields screen

There,
Click on Graphical indicators
Each row fill Test, Value, and select an indicator:

equals 1 black light
equals 2 red light
equals 3 green light

If you want to add a number of working days to a date use the
ProjhectDateAdd function.

Hope this helps,



--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Sorry still lost on the formula, unless you are refering to the statement
that provides how to find the 100%
(??Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click graphical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want. ??)

I cannot figure out how to make the yelllow and red lights show for a task
that might be late or is late. What is that criteria, and is it located
in
the same place as the 100% is located?

Vicki

VIcki

Hi,

You could indeed insert columns for Actual Duration and Remaining
duration
but if you show the Tracking toolbar (can you do that, Tools, Customize,
Toolbars) there is a button "Update Tasks"
Select the task you want to track, click the Update Tasks button: it has
it
all for you. Actual duration, remaining duration, actual start.

As for the buttons, refer to my previous mail (still attached below).
Don't
worry about the fact the formula uses %complete: Project will calculate
that
from actual and remaining duration.

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Jan, sorry but this has confused me.
I got the baseline set.
But I do not follow the rest.
Do I need to add a column for Acutal Duration?
And if I do what is my criteria, to have the indicator stoplight show
yellow
is not completed?

Vicki

:

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you
should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the baseline
and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any
work
on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining
duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the
selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date?
or
is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days
out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

:

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the
field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000,
I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and
select
the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and
values.
I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step:
"To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing
the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of
fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import
Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work
off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100
then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the
test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0
AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show
Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status
light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the
"red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out
for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Vickifb]

great that helps. I need to work on the days, so I might psot back.

But there are not any indicators for the milestones, all of the underlying
tasks have indicators, Is there a way to have these display indicators?

Vicki

Hi,

My example only shows the first part of your question, a light when the task
is 100% done

Let's take it one step at the time
1. Tools, Customize, Fields, select Type=Number, then Number1
Are you now on a form that says customize fields?
Do you see the word Formula?
Do you see the words Graphical indicators?

If not, restart: Tools menu, etc.

If yes

2. Click on the word Formula

You now see a form that asks for the definition of a formula.
Can you see the word field here?
If not, try to start again.

If yes,

Click the word Field
select Number

This is the formula as I see your needs...maybe not but it's a start

Iif(([(% Complete]=100),1,Iif([Finish]>[Baseline Finish],2,3))

OK for the formula, you are going back to the Customize fields screen

There,
Click on Graphical indicators
Each row fill Test, Value, and select an indicator:

equals 1 black light
equals 2 red light
equals 3 green light

If you want to add a number of working days to a date use the
ProjhectDateAdd function.

Hope this helps,



--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Sorry still lost on the formula, unless you are refering to the statement
that provides how to find the 100%
(??Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click graphical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want. ??)

I cannot figure out how to make the yelllow and red lights show for a task
that might be late or is late. What is that criteria, and is it located
in
the same place as the 100% is located?

Vicki

VIcki

Hi,

You could indeed insert columns for Actual Duration and Remaining
duration
but if you show the Tracking toolbar (can you do that, Tools, Customize,
Toolbars) there is a button "Update Tasks"
Select the task you want to track, click the Update Tasks button: it has
it
all for you. Actual duration, remaining duration, actual start.

As for the buttons, refer to my previous mail (still attached below).
Don't
worry about the fact the formula uses %complete: Project will calculate
that
from actual and remaining duration.

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Jan, sorry but this has confused me.
I got the baseline set.
But I do not follow the rest.
Do I need to add a column for Acutal Duration?
And if I do what is my criteria, to have the indicator stoplight show
yellow
is not completed?

Vicki

:

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you
should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the baseline
and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any
work
on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining
duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the
selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date?
or
is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days
out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

:

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the
field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000,
I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and
select
the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and
values.
I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step:
"To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing
the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of
fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import
Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work
off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100
then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the
test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0
AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show
Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status
light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the
"red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out
for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Vickifb]

Hi Jan,
just noticed that I have yellow indicators for projects that haven't
started yet so could I say Iif(([(% Complete]=100),1,IIf ([% Complete] =
0),17,Iif([Finish]>[Baseline Finish],2,3))??

And i cannot get the meaning out of the "Finished>Baseline Finish", 2,3. I
have no red indicators. So the basis of this statement is that the acutal
time of Finish should equal to the baseline finish, right? So this line says
what?

I'll wait for that reply before I go further.

Vicki

Hi,

My example only shows the first part of your question, a light when the task
is 100% done

Let's take it one step at the time
1. Tools, Customize, Fields, select Type=Number, then Number1
Are you now on a form that says customize fields?
Do you see the word Formula?
Do you see the words Graphical indicators?

If not, restart: Tools menu, etc.

If yes

2. Click on the word Formula

You now see a form that asks for the definition of a formula.
Can you see the word field here?
If not, try to start again.

If yes,

Click the word Field
select Number

This is the formula as I see your needs...maybe not but it's a start

Iif(([(% Complete]=100),1,Iif([Finish]>[Baseline Finish],2,3))

OK for the formula, you are going back to the Customize fields screen

There,
Click on Graphical indicators
Each row fill Test, Value, and select an indicator:

equals 1 black light
equals 2 red light
equals 3 green light

If you want to add a number of working days to a date use the
ProjhectDateAdd function.

Hope this helps,



--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Sorry still lost on the formula, unless you are refering to the statement
that provides how to find the 100%
(??Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click graphical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want. ??)

I cannot figure out how to make the yelllow and red lights show for a task
that might be late or is late. What is that criteria, and is it located
in
the same place as the 100% is located?

Vicki

VIcki

Hi,

You could indeed insert columns for Actual Duration and Remaining
duration
but if you show the Tracking toolbar (can you do that, Tools, Customize,
Toolbars) there is a button "Update Tasks"
Select the task you want to track, click the Update Tasks button: it has
it
all for you. Actual duration, remaining duration, actual start.

As for the buttons, refer to my previous mail (still attached below).
Don't
worry about the fact the formula uses %complete: Project will calculate
that
from actual and remaining duration.

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Jan, sorry but this has confused me.
I got the baseline set.
But I do not follow the rest.
Do I need to add a column for Acutal Duration?
And if I do what is my criteria, to have the indicator stoplight show
yellow
is not completed?

Vicki

:

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you
should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the baseline
and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any
work
on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining
duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the
selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date?
or
is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2 days
out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

:

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the
field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project 2000,
I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and
select
the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and
values.
I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step:
"To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by completing
the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of
fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import
Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators work
off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100
then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past the
test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND <> 0
AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then show
Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project, then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a status
light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the
"red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure out
for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Please use the Project terminology; a milestone is a zero duration task; I
think you mean summary tasks.
In the Customize field window, for summary tasks select Use Formula
In the Graphical indicators form, check for Summatry Tasks and For Project
Summary task.

Greetings,
--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

great that helps. I need to work on the days, so I might psot back.

But there are not any indicators for the milestones, all of the underlying
tasks have indicators, Is there a way to have these display indicators?

Vicki

Hi,

My example only shows the first part of your question, a light when the
task
is 100% done

Let's take it one step at the time
1. Tools, Customize, Fields, select Type=Number, then Number1
Are you now on a form that says customize fields?
Do you see the word Formula?
Do you see the words Graphical indicators?

If not, restart: Tools menu, etc.

If yes

2. Click on the word Formula

You now see a form that asks for the definition of a formula.
Can you see the word field here?
If not, try to start again.

If yes,

Click the word Field
select Number

This is the formula as I see your needs...maybe not but it's a start

Iif(([(% Complete]=100),1,Iif([Finish]>[Baseline Finish],2,3))

OK for the formula, you are going back to the Customize fields screen

There,
Click on Graphical indicators
Each row fill Test, Value, and select an indicator:

equals 1 black light
equals 2 red light
equals 3 green light

If you want to add a number of working days to a date use the
ProjhectDateAdd function.

Hope this helps,



--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

Sorry still lost on the formula, unless you are refering to the
statement
that provides how to find the 100%
(??Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click graphical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want. ??)

I cannot figure out how to make the yelllow and red lights show for a
task
that might be late or is late. What is that criteria, and is it
located
in
the same place as the 100% is located?

Vicki

VIcki
:

Hi,

You could indeed insert columns for Actual Duration and Remaining
duration
but if you show the Tracking toolbar (can you do that, Tools,
Customize,
Toolbars) there is a button "Update Tasks"
Select the task you want to track, click the Update Tasks button: it
has
it
all for you. Actual duration, remaining duration, actual start.

As for the buttons, refer to my previous mail (still attached below).
Don't
worry about the fact the formula uses %complete: Project will
calculate
that
from actual and remaining duration.

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Jan, sorry but this has confused me.
I got the baseline set.
But I do not follow the rest.
Do I need to add a column for Acutal Duration?
And if I do what is my criteria, to have the indicator stoplight
show
yellow
is not completed?

Vicki

:

Hi,

Can you compare 60% to April 17? I can't!
First, if you want to check finish dates vs. the original plan, you
should
set a baseline at the start of the project.
Tools, Tracking, Set baseline;
Lok at the Tracking Gantt; the grey half-bars represent the
baseline
and
they won't move when reality starts to move your plan.
Second, I personally do NOT use % complete, that's like in NOT.
In dact, %complete=actual duration (time tehre ha already been any
work
on
the ask/total duration.
Now you are asking for a formula to do the reverse... don't make
the
division in the first place, enter actual duration and remaining
duration
instead.

Tools, Tracking, Update tasks allows you to record progress on the
selected
task very accurately.
There is also a button "update tasks" on the Tracking Toolbar.
Hope this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Yay, it was as easy as I thought that it should be! Thanks Jan.

Next question, how do I compare the %Complete to the finish date?
or
is
that the criteria? I need to show if the finish date is like 2
days
out
but
the %Complete is less than 50%.

Vicki

:

Hi,

The tests for graphical indicators only work on the value in the
field
itself
To change that value you need a formula
So for instance:
Tools, Customize, Fields, select Number1
Click the word Formula
Select Field, then from the dropdown %Complte.
OK.
Now click grahical indicators
Equals 100 select the stoplight you want.
HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf
Hi, well I must be the idiot on the block because the set of
instructions
that Dale gave to Dan does not work for me. I have project
2000,
I
know,
anyway, I followed the instructions to get this step
completed:
"Select
the
"Task" set of fields, select Duration as the field Type, and
select
the
Enterprise Duration1 field" thru to adding in the Tests and
values.
I
have
green lights everywhere. But as I move to the next step:
"To
create
the Finish Variance stoplight indicators, the Project Server
administrator
must also create a custom enterprise Project field by
completing
the
following steps" I get lost. I do not have a Projects set of
fields
and I
do
not have the option (or at least cannot find it) to "Import
Customer
field".

I do not want to use baseline or such.

Acutally while I am asking I would rather have my indicators
work
off
of
the
% Complete field and test something like IIf [%Complete] = 100
then
show a
black light (if I add this in as a formula I can't get past
the
test)
and
then add in the finish date, as in IIf [%Complete] < 100 AND
<> 0
AND
[Finish
Date] > "Current date" by (need help here too) 2 weeks then
show
Green
light.

Help?

:

Dan --

Refer to the following FAQ for an example of how to do it:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Shared Documents/CreateStoplightIndicators.htm

If you are not using Project Server with Microsoft Project,
then
simply
ignore the Project Server content. Hope this helps.




Can someone help an idiot create a column which shows a
status
light
of
a
task?

I presume it would be a calculated field that displays the
"red,
Yellow
or
Green stoplight" in a column in Project, but cannot figure
out
for
the
life
of me how to do it.

I'd appreciate any direction.

Dan