Dependencies

[keuvelaj]

Question:
It would add value for me to view my dependencies and see the predecessor
and successor task names instead of the wbs number.

Does anyone know how to do this?

If not I have found that I can create what I'm looking for by copying the
task name and pasting it over the wbs field. 2 problems with this. 1. I can
not save it like this.
2. Because of the 256 char. constraint on cells the pred and secc fields
truncate.

Does anyone know how to change the default for a cell from 256 to a larger
number?

Thank You!

 

[John]

Question:
It would add value for me to view my dependencies and see the predecessor
and successor task names instead of the wbs number.

Does anyone know how to do this?

If not I have found that I can create what I'm looking for by copying the
task name and pasting it over the wbs field. 2 problems with this. 1. I can
not save it like this.
2. Because of the 256 char. constraint on cells the pred and secc fields
truncate.

Does anyone know how to change the default for a cell from 256 to a larger
number?

Thank You!

keuvelag,
How about using a split screen and showing the "Relationship Diagram" in
the lower pane. the diagram will show all Predecessor and Successor
tasks of whatever task is selected in the upper pane.

With regard to the 256 character limit. The only field in Project that
will hold more than 256 characters is the Notes field. All other text
related fields (i.e. Task Name, Predecessor, Successor, spare Text) are
limited to 256 characters and this limit cannot be increased.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[pratta]

Hi K
Inserting a column for successor and a column for predeccessor lists the
Task #, not the WBS #.
I would just use the Task #, and select it. If you want to know more details
try either:
-double clicking for Task Information/Predecessors, or
-selecting Tools/Tracking, or
-selecting Window Split



Regards........Pratta

 

[keuvelaj]

Hi John,
Thank You for responding.
This works great for for me viewing the dependencies in project.
I am looking to create a report for my customers that would be easy to read.
When thay look at the predecessor or successor fileds they would like to see
task name.
This is more meaningful to them instead of WBS.
Not all my customers have MS proj.
I copy and paste to excel to do dynamic reporting.
In our enviroment the que takes to long to clear to make use project center.

Any Suggestions?
Note: We are converting to MS proj 2003 is there anything in 03 that will
help?

Thank Again!!

 

[keuvelaj]

Hi Pratta,
Thank You for responding.
This works great for for me viewing the dependencies in project.
I am looking to create a report for my customers that would be easy to read.
When thay look at the predecessor or successor fields they would like to see
task name.
This is more meaningful to them instead of WBS.
Not all my customers have MS proj.
I copy and paste to excel to do dynamic reporting.
In our enviroment the que takes to long to clear to make use project center.

Any Suggestions?
Note: We are converting to MS proj 2003 is there anything in 03 that will
help?

 

[John]

Hi John,
Thank You for responding.
This works great for for me viewing the dependencies in project.
I am looking to create a report for my customers that would be easy to read.
When thay look at the predecessor or successor fileds they would like to see
task name.
This is more meaningful to them instead of WBS.
Not all my customers have MS proj.
I copy and paste to excel to do dynamic reporting.
In our enviroment the que takes to long to clear to make use project center.

Any Suggestions?
Note: We are converting to MS proj 2003 is there anything in 03 that will
help?

keuvelag,
There are several solutions available but going to Project 2003 is
probably not going to help. If a customer doesn't have Project at all,
the version you use doesn't matter. Further, Project 2003 displays
Predecessors and Successors no differently than earlier versions of
Project.

As for solutions. If you believe the graphical presentation is
desirable, a network diagram can be created in either hardcopy or
electronically (I believe this can be done using Visio although I don't
have details). Another solution is an extension of your copy and paste
process. An equivalent process can be created using a VBA macro. The
task relationship information can be exported to another application
(e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.). It is very likely that all your
customers will have at least one of those applications.

A simple solution (but only good for hardcopy for those customers who do
not have project) is to use spare Task Text fields to show the task
names in lieu of Task IDs for Predecessors and Successors. A simple
macro could be created to do this automatically.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP