Managed timesheet periods

[Umamahesh]

In Project Web Access 2003, under Admin->Customize Project Access->Tracking
Settings, feature "Managed timesheet periods" is not clear for me. Also
noticed that there is no Help provided for this feature under Tracking
Settings option. What I noticed is Project Web Access is allowing timesheet
entry based on the Start and Finish dates defined here. If I select short
duration here, timesheet entry interface is showing the dates accordingly. If
I select longer duration like till Dec 2010 to avoid frequent changes to this
period, timesheet entry interface is showing the dates for this entire
duration.

Basically, what is the function of this feature? Why it is required? I need
unlimited timesheet period irrespective of this feature. Please clarify me.

Regards,
P.Umamahesh

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Umamahesh --

The Managed Time Periods functionality is for organizations that need to
lock time periods to prevent team members from entering time in past closed
time periods or future time periods. This ensures that team members only
enter time in the current reporting period. It requires that you use the
"Hour of work done per day or per week" method of tracking progress on a
daily basis. If you don't need this functionality, then do not use it.
Hope this helps.

 

[Umamahesh]

Thanks for the clarification Dale. I need this kind of locking to prevent the
miss use of the system. In that case, what could be the suggested Start and
Finish dates, if I select "Resources should report their hours worked every
day" radio button?

As these two features affect all the projects that are running with
different schedules, how do you suggest to set these dates? Do we need to set
these dates on periodic basis based on expiry?

If you can suggest me the same based on an example, it will be helpful.

Regards,
P.Umamahesh

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Umamahesh --

Set up tracking on a daily basis and set up Managed Time Periods as one week
per time period. You will need to close past time periods at a
pre-determined time, according to your company's own progress reporting
process. For example, the process at a typical company using Managed Time
Periods might be:

1. Enter actuals on a daily basis at the end of each working day and save
your progress.
2. On the last day of the week, enter your actuals for that day, and adjust
Remaining Work, if necessary.
3. If you increase Remaining Work on any task, then add a Note to document
the reason.
4. Submit your progress to your project manager.
5. The project manager must review, approve, and update all progress by
close of business on Monday.
6. The Project Server administrator will close last week's reporting period
at close of business on Tuesday.

That's the best I can do as an example. How you set up and use Managed Time
Periods depends heavily on your organization's processes and methodologies
for both project management and how you intend to use this tool. Hope this
helps.

 

[Umamahesh]

Dale, I thank you for the clarification given. This clarification is very
helpful for me to establish timesheet related workflow.
Regards,
P.Umamahesh

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Umamahesh --

You are more than welcome for the help, my friend!