Tom said:
I have some external tasks to my project e.g. EPA approvals that I would like
to show filling in between the start of one task and the start of another. It
does not have fixed duration but is dependent on the other tasks which are
not in any way dependent on it.
Tom,
Even though the task may not be directly dependent on surrounding tasks,
if you want it to be time phased so it falls between those tasks, some
type of link is necessary, although the example you give about EPA
approval does not sound like a "fill in" type of task. Something has to
be submitted for the approval and there is definitely a dependent link
to that task (i.e until the item is submitted, the approval process
cannot start).
Furthermore, the Duration of the task (i.e. EPA approval) is not
dependent on the time between adjacent independent tasks but is solely
dependent on the EPA.
As a general rule, most tasks in a good plan have a predecessor
(although in some isolated cases they can start independently) but ALL
tasks in a good plan MUST have a successor, otherwise, why is the task
being performed?
Perhaps what you are looking for is what is called a "hammock task".
This type of task is often used to describe support effort that lasts
for whatever period of time is necessary based on other tasks. For
information on how to set up a hammock task, go to the MVP website at:
http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm
and look at FAQ 19 - Hammock Tasks
Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP
