how to move a task and its sub tasks as one

[Aussie Rules]

Hi,

I am trying to create a project template to use.

Where I work there are a number of milestones that they require completed.

These milestone are towards the end of the projects, and are based on 'x
days before' or 'x days after'.

I have create a task group simply called milestones, and then added the
actual milestone task as subtasks in this group.

I have create one other milestone called 'start'. The group I created above
is linked to this start milestone. The idea being that I can just move the
start task to the projects date, and the milestone group moves as needed.

The problem is that when I move the 'start' task, the group also moves, but
it does not move the time frames needed.

For example if I have the first miles stone in the group, on a monday, and
the next one of the following friday, when I move the start task, it moves
the monday task to thursday and leaves the friday task on the friday.

This is not what I want, as I have to keep the number of days between the
milestones at all times.

Is there an easy way to do this ?

Hope it all made sense!!!

Thanks

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi ,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Try the Adjust Dates button on the Analysis toolbar.

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
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials

 

[John]

Aussie,
My comments/questions are in-line.

These milestone are towards the end of the projects, and are based on 'x
days before' or 'x days after'. "X" days before or after what?

I have create a task group simply called milestones, and then added the
actual milestone task as subtasks in this group.

I assume you mean that you have grouped your milestones under a summary
line called "Milestones", correct? If not, what exactly did you do?

I have create one other milestone called 'start'. The group I created above
is linked to this start milestone. The idea being that I can just move the
start task to the projects date, and the milestone group moves as needed.

How is the group linked to the start milestone? If you simply linked it
to the summary line of the milestones, you're asking for trouble (see
FAQ 48 on our MVP website at, http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm)

Milestones are meant to designate the start or completion of a group of
tasks. Normally milestones will not be linked to each other - milestones
don't "do" anything - they are just placeholders. Tasks should be set up
in a logical sequence of expected plan execution. Milestones are then
added where necessary to show the completion of significant task groups.
I would link the start milestone to the first performance task (i.e.
task where something is actually performed by one or more resources).
Each sequential task is then linked to form a logic network with
important milestones inserted where appropriate. These milestones do not
have to be adjacent to the group of tasks they represent. Some users
like to group all the milestones under a separate summary line - it
gives a quick look at the overall plan.

For example if I have the first miles stone in the group, on a monday, and
the next one of the following friday, when I move the start task, it moves
the monday task to thursday and leaves the friday task on the friday.

Without knowing how you set up your linkages, it's hard to say why
things aren't moving as you expect.


John
Project MVP

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

The answer lies in not doing things rather than what should I do
The milestones and the tasks in between should not have constraints, their
dates should be set by links only
If hey do have constraints you can try
Tools, Customize, toolbars, show the Analysis toolbar
Run Adjust Dates.

Hope this helps,

 

[Aussie Rules]

Hi, I am only able to change the project start date.

What I need to do is to change the end date and have it work backwords. If
the amount of work is so much that it works out the start should have been 4
weeks before today, then I can remove tasks and pull the start date back to
the current date.

I don't have the ability to change the end date, they are fixed. I can only
reduce scope/remove tasks to make it fit the end date.

 

[John]

Hi, I am only able to change the project start date.

What I need to do is to change the end date and have it work backwords. If
the amount of work is so much that it works out the start should have been 4
weeks before today, then I can remove tasks and pull the start date back to
the current date.

I don't have the ability to change the end date, they are fixed. I can only
reduce scope/remove tasks to make it fit the end date.

Aussie,
You could use reverse scheduling. To do that go to Project/Project
Information and set the "schedule from" option to be, Project Finish
Date. Project will then schedule all tasks as-late-as-possible
referenced to the finish date. However, unless you can truly think in
reverse order, (many users think they can but it is actually more
difficult that it might appear), I suggest you use normal forward
scheduling and then see where you finish date ends. If it is on track,
you're all set. If it is late, you can always reduce scope until the
finish comes in on or before the required need date.

BY the way, you can also use the Deadline field to help highlight the
finish date. Read more about that field in the Project help file.

John
Project MVP