Linking Task Durations

[ko]

I'm trying to force one or more task's durations to follow another task. For
example, in a painting project, the surface must first be sanded and then
painted. Obviously, the painting will take at least as long as the sanding.
In a more generic scenario, a project manager will be assigned to a project
for the duration of the project regardless of how long the project lasts. I
would like to be able to link the duration (along with the the start and
finish dates) to automatically track that of the 'master' task.

Has anyone a solution for this?

thanks in advance,

 

[John]

I'm trying to force one or more task's durations to follow another task. For
example, in a painting project, the surface must first be sanded and then
painted. Obviously, the painting will take at least as long as the sanding.
In a more generic scenario, a project manager will be assigned to a project
for the duration of the project regardless of how long the project lasts. I
would like to be able to link the duration (along with the the start and
finish dates) to automatically track that of the 'master' task.

Has anyone a solution for this?

thanks in advance,

ko,
Two comments. First, it generally does NOT take as long to paint as it
does to sand. Obviously you haven't done much prep work for painting.

Second, what you probably want is called a hammock task. Go to our MVP
website at: http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm
and look at FAQ 19 - Hammock task.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[Gilgamesh]

I'm trying to force one or more task's durations to follow another task.
For
example, in a painting project, the surface must first be sanded and then
painted. Obviously, the painting will take at least as long as the
sanding.
In a more generic scenario, a project manager will be assigned to a
project
for the duration of the project regardless of how long the project lasts.
I
would like to be able to link the duration (along with the the start and
finish dates) to automatically track that of the 'master' task.

Has anyone a solution for this?

thanks in advance,

For the duration select the duration on the primary task and copy the cell.
In the secondary task durations select paste special and use a link to the
primary cell.
Changing the primary cells will now change the secondary cells.

The same process can be used for start and finish dates for the project
manager 'master' task.

 

[ko]

I didn't anticipate such a simple solution. I had thought that links only
added hyperlinks (as in a weblink) to the task, not link a link in Excel.

Many thanks,

 

[John]

I didn't anticipate such a simple solution. I had thought that links only
added hyperlinks (as in a weblink) to the task, not link a link in Excel.

Many thanks,

ko,
You're welcome. I don't generally recommend the use of Paste Links in
Project because they are fragile and easily corrupted. However, creating
a hammock task requires them and if they are used carefully and
sparingly, there shouldn't be a problem.

John