Critical Path and Linked Projects

[Daisy]

Does linking projects (multiple projects with both external predessors &
successors) change the way that MSP2003 calculated the critical path?

 

[JulieS]

Hi Daisy,

Yes, it could. If you have tasks that do not have successors, the
critical path will change. You may find the "Calculate multiple
critical paths" option in Tools > Options, Calculation tab to be useful.

--
I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information about
Microsoft Project.

 

[Daisy]

I reviewed the tasks that are showing up & they do have successors. When I
tried multiple critical paths, the entire project was critical path.

Do you know of any documentation available that might be helpful for me to
understand how linking projects impacts other MSP2003 functionality?

Thanks for the help.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Daisy,

You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.

I'm sorry. In re-reading your original post, I think I should have been
a bit clearer. To the best of my knowledge, Project does not change the
*way* it calculates critical path in consolidated project files versus
stand alone files. Which specific tasks are critical or not *may*
change, but as you discovered the option "calculate multiple critical
paths" shows the critical path within the individual project file.

As far as documentation, other than the help files with Project, you may
want to take a look at Mike Glen's excellent series of articles on MS
Project at:
http://project.mvps.org/mike's_tutorials.htm

Articles numbered 17, 18, and 20 deal with multiple projects.

Also, please feel free to post any specific questions about consolidated
projects here and we'll be happy to help out.

--
I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information about
Microsoft Project.