finish & start date problems

[sb]

I have the same problem with using a copied project plan. However, I don't
believe the template is correct. The template is setup to run by finish date
of the project, however there are tasks that would finish prior to the
project finish date, but these task finish dates were manually changed. If I
try to create a new plan the manually entered finish dates do not update. How
can I update these dates?
or -
If I need to start a new plan, I know how to set my template for the project
plan to end (ie. 10-31-06). How do I set a task to end 30 days prior to end
date (10-31-06), but also a task to start 45 days prior to that task end
date? I would need this to also update automatically instead of manually
updating the start & finish dates.

 

[Jim Aksel]

I believe you may find the use of "successors" will help you.
Here is what you can do.
Project/Project Information. Set "Schedule from Finish Date"
On the Gantt chart, select Window/Split. In the bottom pane will be a task
entry form. On the bottom pane, right click and change the view to
"Resources and Successors" .... anything that will show successors is fine.

In the Gantt chart. Enter a task "Project Complete" as a milestone. It
will default to the last day ... 10/31/2006.

Enter another task "A". In the bottom pane, specify the milestone as the
successor with a lag of +45 edays or any other unit of measure convenient.

The project is now scheduled in reverse. Tedious, not usually done, but
there you go

 

[JulieS]

Hi Caroline,

I'm not sure I follow your post exactly. What I think you are saying is
you selected one task -- went to Tools > Tracking (?) > Update Tasks and
you were unable to add an Actual Start and Actual Finish?

Is the task you tried updating a summary tasks? Does it have tasks
indented underneath it?

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

Julie
Project MVP

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