Error in computed schedule

[JMJMJM]

I have a relatively simple project defined with tasks and durations. I added
a few resources and reviewed the resulting schedule. The schedule that
Project computed had some unexplainable delays between tasks. The resource
assigned was not assigned anywhere else. By removing predecessor assignments
and then re-entering them, I have eliminated some of the gaps. However, this
approach is not very elegant. I'm concerned that when I add more complex
resource assignments, that I won't be able to find the unnecessary gaps. Can
someone shed some light on this issue?

Note: I do not use lags or leads in this part of the project.

Newbie JMJMJM

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi JMJMJM,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Have you levelled the project?

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

 

[JMJMJM]

Mike,

Yes, I levelled the project. There's no resource overallocation. The
result is a schedule that has a gap of about 3 weeks between a task and it's
successor and the only resource assigned is unused for the same period.

The place where I recall seeing this problem the most is where I have a
predecessor/successor relationship between a task and a summary task. This
is allowed isn't it? When I remove the link to the summary task and enter it
as a link between non-summary tasks, I have been able to get rid of the gaps.

JMJMJM

 

[JMJMJM]

Mike,

I have reduced the project to just two tasks with no resources. Each task
is 3d in duration. The 2nd task has a link of 1FF. The project has a total
duration of 38d!!! with the obvious gap betwee the end of the 1st task and
the beginning of the 2nd.

Any ideas?

JMJMJM

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi JMJMJM,

Never link tasks to summaries, they can cause all sorts of trouble, most
noticably circular references. I'm not sure that that was your problem.
You say you reduced the project... have you tried with a new project? I'm
puzzled by one thing, if both tasks are 3d and you link with the unusual FF,
then they should run concurrently and finish together. What happens with
the default FS link?

Mike Glen
MVP Project