"Multi project"-projects inside A Project

[Silene]

Please, I need to know more how to work with a main project that I insert 4
different small projects (linked to the main one) using a pool resource.
- Where should I make all the updates? The problem know is with the
duration. I update dates and work resource but every time I open one or the
other they show different durations.
I hope somebody knows what I am talking about!

Silene

 

[Jim Aksel]

Working with a master schedule can be tedious. The best advice I can give
you is to keep the master, the subprojects, and the resource pool file, all
in the same folder. This is not at all mandatory but it makes things easier.

When you insert the project files use the Insert Project.... on the menu and
make sure the "Link" check box is selected.

We usually make the updates in the smaller files, but it can be done in the
master. when you save the files, never use "Save As..." otherwise you will
corrupt the links among the files. If you want to keep historical versions,
keep copies of the entire folder not the individual files. What I tell
clients is "the folder is your schedule, think of it as one file. It always
moves together"

As for mystery durations, try pressing F9 to recalculate and also make sure
all the files are set to auto calculation (Tools/Options/Calculation tab)

You say you are updating dates, that should be very rare. Instead, you
should be changing task durations to change the length of a task. Let the
predecessor/successor logic drive when tasks start and end.

That's some general guidance. If you have something more specific, please
tell us what you are doing and howProject reacts. That will help us to help
you.


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Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Roland Cook]

When I work with Master schedules is when I have links between the
sub-projects. It's easier to maintain those links and see the effects
between schedules as they occur. Plus, if I'm managing resource allocations
crossing sub-projects I can check for overburdening easier.

If there are no links then as Jim points out it's better to work the
sub-projects individually.

 

[DavidC]

Hi Silene,

I would wholeheartedly agree with Jim's response. I would add to that in
response to your query, that you can get some 'strange' dates occuring if the
calendars in each project differs. If as an example, one project has a
working day 0f 10hrs, and the master uses 8 hours, then the duration of the
sub project will show differently when viewed in the master than when viewed
as a separate file. This seems to be down to the calculation method used and
which definition of a working day is used. Ihave experienced this on a
number of occassions, when on a construction site a contractor may work a
standard 10 hour day, but the master is set to 8 hours since it is built
around the tasks invloved primarily with office type work and covers the
period leading up to construction.

To reinforce Jim's comment about the folder, I have found that if files are
not kept together and moved outside of a folder, then Project retains
reference to the original link and that file may not be available and it then
sets a constraint date and those tasks will not then update to reflect
progress. It is a trap, and I have foudn it difficult at times to remove
those links. Where it has worked is when all files are in the one folder and
they are never worked on outside the folde. This does add a level of
complexity if, as in my experience, those sub projects relat to schedules for
individual contarctors who maintain their own schedule outside of the master
schedule.

Just some little traps to be wary of.

Hope this helps.

regards

DavidC

 

[Silene]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.
David, I actually found out that I had different calendars, once I sort them
out the problem finished.
Actually I've just create a new calendar called "master" and I am having a
problem to change the Standard calendar of Project with this new one. On
changing working time, chose "Master" calendar, do OK, save the project, but
it always go back to Standard!
Can you help me on that?

txs

Silene

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Silene,

Did you select your Master calendar in Project/Project Information/Calendar?

Mike Glen
Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials


Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.
David, I actually found out that I had different calendars, once I sort them
out the problem finished.
Actually I've just create a new calendar called "master" and I am having a
problem to change the Standard calendar of Project with this new one. On
changing working time, chose "Master" calendar, do OK, save the project, but
it always go back to Standard!
Can you help me on that?

txs

Silene

 

[Dean C]

Select Project, Project Information, in the Calendar option select Master,
close and save.