Due Date Calculations

[Cathrine]

I want to be able to set a final project due date and then set the weeks out
from that date that tasks are due and have the Finish date calculate based on
the final due date minus the weeks out. How do I do this?

 

[davegb]

I want to be able to set a final project due date and then set the weeks out
from that date that tasks are due and have the Finish date calculate based on
the final due date minus the weeks out. How do I do this?

Do a "Project, Project Information" and select "Schedule from Finish",
then set the Finish date you desire. Then create your schedule.

Or

Start from the end. List the last task on the project and set it to
finish at the finish date. Then enter the task that immediately
precedes it and create a Start to Finish relationship with that task.
Then just keep going until you get to the first task.

I probably should mention that this is these are two of the best ways I
know to insure failure, but Project will do it if you wish.

Hope this helps in your world.

 

[Trevor Rabey]

You can choose to "Schedule from Finish Date" in Project, Project
Information.
However, even though MSP allows it, no one does it because it causes lots of
problems.
Although tempting, backwards scheduling is not the Critical Path Method.
The CPM is based on scheduling forwards from a start date and scheduling all
Tasks to Start As Soon As Possible.
All Date Constraints, and to some extent links other than FS and negative
lag, tend to undermine the CPM.
You are better off using CPM as pure as possible.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Trevor,

Historical moment, I don't completely agree with you )
CPM ALSO needs the dates as late as possible because it needs it for slack
and critical path calculation.
The good news is that Project always (and whatever option you take)
calculates the lates dates as well as the earliste dates (see the fields
lates start and latest finish); the only thing the stupid "schedule from
finish date" option does is to put these latest dates into teh Start and
finish fields instead of theearliest dates.
Hope this helps

 

[Cathrine]

Thank you all for your replies. Let me clarify...On each task I want to have
a column that shows how many weeks prior to the finish date a task must be
finished and then have the due date calculate based on that number and the
set finish date. Is this possible?