Master Project - Multiple Projects

[Nancy]

Hello,

I've been using Project for a few weeks but struggling to create a Master
Project file. I perform IT consulting for several companies where the
projects are unique to each client. Originally I was creating a seperate
projects for each client. That works OK but I want everything rolled up into
one project that I can view, mainly since the due dates of the items are
critical.

I have tried cutting and pasting to a master project but I am having great
difficulty adjusting the dates to reflect proper time frames.

Can anyone give me some advice or point me to documentation that can help.

 

[Rod Gill]

Hi,

Create a new schedule then select Insert Project and browse to one of your
..mpp files.
Repeat for every project.

By default there is an option that says Link. This means that changes in the
master affect the source file and changes in the sub project affect the
master. Sounds good, but if you move a project, over-write it or rename it
without removing it form the master first you can corrupt the master or the
sub-project or both.

So, I recommend every time deselecting the Link option. This means all tasks
and resources etc are copied to the master. The same resource in each file
has it's work consolidated so you get to see who is doing what across all
projects.

You can record a macro (exactly as in Excel) of you doing this manually and
then you can easily create a new master every week which then gives you a
great audit of progress each week (and backups).

 

[Arthur MacLeod]

This is a timely post for me as I am at this very moment setting up a master
schedule. I like the idea of saving a copy of the master schedule once a
week. Does checking the Read Only check box help improve reliability of the
files if you do maintain the link?

Do I understand the macro you suggest is to place an individual project into
the master and unselect the link? If you have eight projects to post, you
run then the macro eight times?

Arthur
==============================================================

 

[Rod Gill]

Hi,

There isn't a read only option, just a Link option. Deselecting link copies
all tasks and leaves no link to corrupt anything with to the file.

When recording the macro, record inserting all projects: the macro then
needs to be run once to create a new consolidation.

For safest results:
1) Copy all files to a backup folder
2) Crete a new file to hold the macro: save as Consolidation MacroV1.mpp
3) Record a macro and for the first step create a new file
4) Record inserting all projects making sure the link option is deselected
every time.
5) Select File, Save as and save the master (EG as Master 20050425.mpp)
6) Stop recording and close
7) Press Alt+F11 to display the Visual Basic Editor
8) Press Ctrl+R to display the project window (should already be displayed)
9) Brows the macro project and open the Modules folder. Double-Click Module1
to open your recorded macro
10) Edit the Save as statement at the end to delete the file name. When
running the macro it will now prompt you for the name.
11) Close the VBA editor
12) Save the macro project
13) Press Alt+F8 and select then run your recorded macro

You should now have ended up with a new consolidation!!
Repeat weekly