Multipath projects

[Ed]

I have a project that will require a decision early on. Once the decision is
made, the project will take a destinctive path. How can I put the multiple
paths into Project to each critical path can be estimated?

 

[Jim Reid]

Ed,

If you link all your tasks it will calculate both paths. If you set your
critical path to read the only one path will show as red until you change
directions but both should calculate out to the end of the project if all the
predecessors are in place and linked.

 

[Rick Williams]

You can put in both paths and then store the durations of the non-active
path into other fields. Then all you have to you is copy and paste the
durations into the tasks.
I have a Project companion program called SCRAM that does Monte Carlo
simulation, trend analysis, and analyzes decisions such as you described by
applying probabilities to the different paths. I used to sell, but withdrew
from the market in 2002. I have recently rewritten it to work with later
versions of Project and would be willing to sell copies if enough people are
interested.

Regards,
Rick

 

[Rick Williams]

I failed to point out that, on your "non-active" or contingency tasks, you
use a zero duration and store their durations in other fields in case you
need them. In this way, these "maybe" tasks cannot impact the planned
schedule.