Master Schedules and predecessors

[PattiTechWriter]

Currently, we are using Project Pro 03 SP1 (stand alone) to manage a project
that will be delivered in 9 iterations. Iteration 1 (2200+ tasks) is
approaching completion and we have started on a few tasks from I2. (There
will be overlapping of tasks throughout). We have been struggling with
managing the schedule: should we have 9 separate schedules or one large one?
At the rate this project is growing, we could end up with one huge file,
which already takes a while to load. I tested building a master schedule,
using three various projects, but I can't seem to get the predecessors to
link up. What I would like to do is: Assuming I have 3 sub-projects in a
Master Project: Task 24 in I3 (sub-project 3) can't begin until Task 2100 in
I2 (sub-project 2) is completed...or visa versa... Can this be done?

Thanks in advance!
Patti

 

[John]

Currently, we are using Project Pro 03 SP1 (stand alone) to manage a project
that will be delivered in 9 iterations. Iteration 1 (2200+ tasks) is
approaching completion and we have started on a few tasks from I2. (There
will be overlapping of tasks throughout). We have been struggling with
managing the schedule: should we have 9 separate schedules or one large one?
At the rate this project is growing, we could end up with one huge file,
which already takes a while to load. I tested building a master schedule,
using three various projects, but I can't seem to get the predecessors to
link up. What I would like to do is: Assuming I have 3 sub-projects in a
Master Project: Task 24 in I3 (sub-project 3) can't begin until Task 2100 in
I2 (sub-project 2) is completed...or visa versa... Can this be done?

Thanks in advance!
Patti

Patti,
I suggest you create a master project with inserted subprojects - I
think your projects will be much easier to manage.

You mention that you can't get the links between subproject to work.
Before we can help you with that we need more information. For example,
how did you attempt to make those links (you might want to read about
external links in the Project help file if you haven't already)? If you
followed the process outlined in the help file, what happened (i.e. why
do you think it "didn't work")?

Your last sentence is a little puzzling (the "vice versa" throws me). It
almost sounds like you are trying to make task 24 in I3 a successor to
task 2100 in I2 but also have task 2100 in I2 be a successor to task 24
in I3. That just doesn't compute - it's got to be one way or the other -
otherwise you have what is called a "circular relationship" and Project
just can't deal with those.

John
Project MVP

 

[PattiTechWriter]

Thanks for your reply John...No, I hadn't read up on external links (To be
honest, I didn't know that was what they were called) So, I did and followed
the help and everything seems to be working fine. Thanks again for taking the
time to point me in the right direction!

 

[John]

Thanks for your reply John...No, I hadn't read up on external links (To be
honest, I didn't know that was what they were called) So, I did and followed
the help and everything seems to be working fine. Thanks again for taking the
time to point me in the right direction!

Patti,
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback. I like success stories.

John