Management Reporting

[Tim Leslie]

Bit of a beginner when it comes to Project. I use it regularly and can set
projects up and link project tasks etc. etc. But ... I've been asked if it is
possible to extract management reports on a group of linked projects and,
well to be honest, I've no idea! Essentially if I have 3 projects, X, Y & Z
and Y & Z have a task that is dependant on task 7 in Project X. Is there an
easy(ish) way of extracting a report that would say:

Project X Task 7 is delayed by 10 working days becuase ...
Project Y is delayed 10 days because of a dependancy on task 7 in Project X
Project Z is delayed 10 days because of a dependancy on task 7 in Project X

It may be easy stuff, apologies if it is, but I am trying to find a quick
answer so I can have a go.

Regards

 

[Jim Aksel]

Project is unable to state reasons for things. However you can probably get
close to what you want.

First, create a Master Project. Insert your X, Y, and Z files. You can link
predecessors between files just like you normally would ... select the two
tasks while holding the control key, click the link icon. So, tying tasks
between files is easy.

You can insert a notes field, or a spare text field (text1, etc) and you can
manually type a reason into the spare field. Now, when you create filters
for what you need, then the reasons will show.

Caution - it is best to make sure that all the files Master.mpp and X.mpp,
Y.mpp and Z.mpp all reside in the same folder. Always keep the files
together in that same folder. Don't pull a file out and work on it. Instead
- treat the folder as one unit (your entire project) and you will be fine.

Creating "reports"... Project2007 is better than Project2003. However, the
reporting is somewhat of an afterthought. There are numerous canned reports
you can view and edit. In P2003 look under View/Reports. In P2007, Reports
has been promoted to the main menu bar. Beneath that you have regular
reports and Visual reports. You can make some pretty good customized reports
using the Visual Reporting features in P2007 and Excel.

P2003 users can rely on the Export Time Phased Data to Excel icon on the
Analysis Toolbar.

Probably your best "reports" will come from creating filters (using the auto
filter, etc). YOu can insert any columns you like, even create custom report
views. What we do is use the Copy Picture wizard (Camera icon ont he standard
toobar). Paste it into PowerPoint.

If you;d like additional information, please consider a book written by some
of the Microsoft MVPs available here:

https://projectserverbooks.com/shopexd.asp?id=114&bc=no


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If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project