Different Dates in Differernt Machines

[Arjun M]

Friends,
A strange problem.
I have a project plan defined with dates and resources.But when the
same project plan is opened in a different machine dates are changed.So
same project plan with same version has different dates.

Please advice to fix this
Arjun M

 

[John]

Friends,
A strange problem.
I have a project plan defined with dates and resources.But when the
same project plan is opened in a different machine dates are changed.So
same project plan with same version has different dates.

Please advice to fix this
Arjun M

Arjun,
What do you mean by "different dates"? Is it just the way the dates are
displayed (i.e. one PC shows the time and another does not), or are the
dates themselves different (i.e. task 1 starts on 10/19/06 and finishes
on 10/23/06 on one PC but starts on 10/19/06 and finishes on 10/25/06 on
another PC)?

Our answer will depend on your answers to the above.

John
Project MVP

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Arjun,

Is Calculation set to Automatic on both machines?
Tools/Options.../Calculation tab.

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for Project Tutorials

 

[Arjun M]

John,
The second you scenarion mentioned

PC 1 start date 10/17/06 End date 10/22/07
PC 1 start date 10/20/06 End date 10/29/07

Please advice
Arjun M

 

[Arjun M]

Mike,
I have manual tab in there.
The other machine has automatic tab selected.The dates on my machine
are right.

So please advice
Arjun M

 

[Mike Glen]

So both have been calculated? Try pressing F9 on both machines.

Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[Arjun M]

Mike,
I did that.
Now i have the following issues.
I have a manual tab on my machine.
But my colleague has automatic tab turned on. When we pressed F9 the
dates changed only in my machine. So now I am in a fix. The dates on my
project plan have come after extensive work with the architects.
So I want the dates on my machine to remain. But all the other machines
have automatic tab on. So when they open my plan I want them to see the
dates in my plan.

Please advice to tackle this problem.

Thanks
Arjun M

 

[John]

Mike,
I did that.
Now i have the following issues.
I have a manual tab on my machine.
But my colleague has automatic tab turned on. When we pressed F9 the
dates changed only in my machine. So now I am in a fix. The dates on my
project plan have come after extensive work with the architects.
So I want the dates on my machine to remain. But all the other machines
have automatic tab on. So when they open my plan I want them to see the
dates in my plan.

Please advice to tackle this problem.

Thanks
Arjun M

Arjun,
If you had a schedule that was not calculated, (i.e. calculation was set
for manual), then you did NOT have a valid schedule. Just because you
happen to like the dates you had does not mean they are any good. Task
dates in a schedule should be the result of estimated durations, task
links, task work and resources assigned.

How did you arrive at the dates with the architects? It sounds like they
are rather arbitrary or perhaps the DESIRED dates but not based on any
schedule logic. This is the same issue that I explained in your other
post. Fixed dates do NOT make a schedule. Fixed dates do NOT make a
schedule. Fixed dates..........

If a dynamic schedule, (i.e. a schedule that Project calculates based on
the data given to it), is not giving the desired output, then you need
to review the schedule and see where schedule logic can be changed, more
resources can be utilized, estimated durations can be refined, and any
number of other schedule adjustments that will give a better more
acceptable plan. But do NOT simply tweak the schedule to hit some
arbitrary dates that a group of people decided they liked. Reality isn't
always popular and you might just find that you can't get there from
here. Come up with a new plan but if the plan is artificial and not
based on historical actuals or other valid criteria then the plan is
most likely going to fail and everyone is going to be upset.

John
Project MVP

 

[Arjun M]

John,
Thanks a lot for all the advice.
I will go your route than fail totally.

Thanks
Arjun M

 

[davegb]

John,
Thanks a lot for all the advice.
I will go your route than fail totally.

Thanks
Arjun M

Your other option is to reset all the dates to where the client wants
them, then proceed with the Project, and put off telling the client
that the project has slipped until it's obvious to everyone.

 

[John]

Your other option is to reset all the dates to where the client wants
them, then proceed with the Project, and put off telling the client
that the project has slipped until it's obvious to everyone.

davegb,
Oh I'm sure that will go over real big with the customer.

John

 

[John]

John,
Thanks a lot for all the advice.
I will go your route than fail totally.

Thanks
Arjun M

Arjun,
You're welcome and good luck. Either you will win the respect of your
client or quickly find out you don't want to work for him/her.

John
Project MVP

 

[davegb]

davegb,
Oh I'm sure that will go over real big with the customer.

Never said I reccommended it, just giving him his options. I already
told him what I reccommended in a previous thread, which was to bite
the bullet and tell the client the facts.

 

[Steve House]

Adding to John's post - You don't tell Project the schedule you think you
can work ... it tells YOU the schedule it has determined you'll be ABLE to
work. It is a reality check on those dates you worked out with the
architects. If you go with the plan they liked and try to work according to
that schedule, what is most likely to happen is you'll find you really will
end up with the work taking place far closer to the schedule Project was
calculating all along.

 

[aaren]

Thanks Mike, Steve, Dave for your thoughtful answers.

Based on my own experience, the one thing that worries me is that "the
dates have been arrived at after extensive discussions with the
architects". That by itself is not a cause for worry - but the fact
the architects may not understand how MS Project works and that the
dates given by them cannot be cast in stone - is it something that the
Architects are aware of ? Am not sure that they are and that's what
worries me.

Am not here to sermonise, but one can get the feel that the architects
thinking that the dates given by them are fine...but as MSP's internal
calculations it may not. So the best option is to tell the Architects
(after the Project is properly calculated and ready) that the dates
given by them may not be workable and why.

Natarajan.
==========================

Adding to John's post - You don't tell Project the schedule you think you
can work ... it tells YOU the schedule it has determined you'll be ABLE to
work. It is a reality check on those dates you worked out with the
architects. If you go with the plan they liked and try to work according to
that schedule, what is most likely to happen is you'll find you really will
end up with the work taking place far closer to the schedule Project was
calculating all along.
--
Steve House [Project MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Mike,
I did that.
Now i have the following issues.
I have a manual tab on my machine.
But my colleague has automatic tab turned on. When we pressed F9 the
dates changed only in my machine. So now I am in a fix. The dates on my
project plan have come after extensive work with the architects.
So I want the dates on my machine to remain. But all the other machines
have automatic tab on. So when they open my plan I want them to see the
dates in my plan.

Please advice to tackle this problem.

Thanks
Arjun M