Dynamic Linking

[HCLIFF]

I've dynamically link summary tasks from 3 child schedules to the parent
schedules. Is there way to open the parent schedule without having to open
all the child schedules or without having the dialog boxes ask me about the
links?

Thanks

 

[John]

I've dynamically link summary tasks from 3 child schedules to the parent
schedules. Is there way to open the parent schedule without having to open
all the child schedules or without having the dialog boxes ask me about the
links?

Thanks

HCLIFF,
Well first of all you are asking for trouble by linking summary lines -
it that is really what you are doing. Second, what kind of links are you
using? It almost sounds like you are using paste links. If so, you
asking for even more trouble.

Tell you what, just to be sure the basics are covered, go to our MVP
website at, http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm, and take a look at FAQ
48 - Summary Task Linking. After you've read that then, why don't you
explain in more detail exactly what you have (i.e. how you set it all
up) and then we can go from there.

John
Project MVP

 

[Sean J. Miller]

This is my novice work around for those who only want to see key tasks, such
as Master File milestone tasks, in the child schedules.

Create a dummy task in the child schedule. In the Master file, link all the
tasks you want visible to the child schedule.

In turn, your child schedule file will reveal the master schedule's tasks
without needing to open the master.

Of course, before you tie a bow on the final product, delete the dummy task
from the child schedule file.

-Sean J. Miller

 

[HCLIFF]

Appreciate the feedback. However, my customer wants the key tasks from the
child schedule reflected in the master schedule (which I have done).
Unfortunately, my customer doesn't like the multiple dialog boxes that pop up
for each dynamic link when the customer opens the master project.

 

[Sean J. Miller]

We set our links to automatically update. In turn, when you open the Master,
the screen just blinks a little and then looks normal.

To do this, open the Master and click the menu items Tools->Options and then
click the View tab if not already active.

Then...
Uncheck "Show Links Between Projects on Open"
Check "Automatically accept new external data"
Click "OK"

In turn, this will automatically accept any differences between Master and
SubProjects.

Good luck.
Sean

 

[HCLIFF]

Sean,
Appreciate the response. I'm overjoyed that Microsoft allows us to turn the
dialog boxes off. However, yeah there had to be one.... I implemented the
changes you suggested at it appears the Project is ignoring the changes.

Everytime I open the master, I receive a dialog box informing me that my
"master project contains linked information, do I wish to re-establish the
links?"

Aftertelling project yes to re-establish the links, Project sent another
dialog box
informing me the it couldn't connect to the link.

Now tried this test locally and at the enterprise level with the same result
mentioned above.

Is there something I forgot to turn off?

 

[JulieS]

Hello HCliff,

Pardon me for bumping in here, but I think you and Sean are talking
about two different types of "links". The links that Sean is
referring to are external predecessor/successor links and those
relationships are visible in the Predecessor and/or Successor column.
His recommendation will suppress messages about external predecessors
but will not affect what I believe you have done.

I assume you have copied information from your subproject files and
used the Paste Special > Link command. The links you created are
visible through the Edit > Links command and are not predecessor and
successor links.

As John noted earlier, linking through copy - Paste Special is a
fragile way of working with master and subprojects. The method is
prone to corruption and is usually not on the recommended list. An
alternative that may work is to insert the subprojects into the master
and selectively filter the tasks you wish to see.

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

Julie
Project MVP

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