Not sure how to do this...

[Korwin]

Hi there.
I've been checking out the Trial version of Project 2007, and I have a few
issues I cannot seem to make work.

The project that I plan on using Project for is 5 school districts that I
will be doing environmental consulting at over the next 2-3 years. Each
district has multiple buildings, with multiple tasks to be completed at each
building.

We have 4-5 weeks blocked out at each building, but with only 10 to 30 hrs
of actual work over that 4-5 week period (we need to wait for sample results,
etc, that spreads this whole thing out).

Is there any way that I can show that 4-5 week period blocked out for each
building but still be able to track the actual work completed? Everything I
try recalculates my end date or messes up another aspect. Any help?

Thanks.
--Kory

 

[JulieS]

Hello Kory,

I suggest breaking the 4-5 week task into smaller work packages that
accurately define what it is *you* need to do. You can then add lag
between the tasks to account for the waiting time (sample results,
etc.) and still keep the 10-30 hours of your effort in place.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

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

 

[Jim Aksel]

Duration and Work are two separate fields in MS Project. Duration is just
the passage of time, typically 8 hours per day. You can do any amount of
work in that day depending on how the resources are loaded.

Perhaps the best view to see this is to view the Gannt Chart. Then
Window/Split
The top pane is the Gannt, the bottom pane will have several columns. The
default will show you Resources on the left side along wth there assignment
*units* and their *work*.

You can adjust the task type from fixed units, fixed work, fixed duration.
The formula is basically Work=Units x Duation.
Project holds one of these fields fixed (the one you select in the task type
drop down). The others vary as you type them. So, if you change your task
type to Fixed Duration, then you may add/remove resources and work hours at
your pleasure without disturbing the duration.

Read more about in the link below. The article was published by Mike Glenn,
a Microsoft Project MVP:
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=320

You can also read more about "Effort Driven" in the MS Project Help by
searching on that term.


--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim

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

 

[Jim Aksel]

Another option, instead of lag, is to add "dummy tasks" with no resources.
The task name could be "City Analysis of Submitted Report" duration 10 days.

If you do it that way you will remember what the lag is for. I tend to
forget why the lag is there and then people pressure us to remove it or cut
it down.

It all depends on what question you want to answer: Why is there lag? Or,
why are there no resources assigned to this task? The choice is really a
personal one.

Using Julie's technique, you will be able to better contour your work into
shorter task durations without getting things too complicated.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim

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

 

[Korwin]

Great! All of this is helps so much. I feel like I've been in this dark
tunnel, now I can see the way out. Thanks to all of you!

 

[JulieS]

You're welcome Korwin. Do post back if we can help light your path
some more

Julie
Project MVP