Outlook Task update

[sgOrchid]

I have instealled Project server 2007 with SP1, WSS 3.0 with SP2 and SQL
server 2005 with SP3 on a single server which runs on Windows 2003 R2.

Users installed Outlook plugin and update the task completion from outlook.
It is not reflected in project server But it is reflected in Outtlook 2007
With SP2.

How do I resolve ?

Thank you

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

sgOrchid --

Your project managers have to approve the task updates from their team
members on the Task Updates page in PWA. Then the updates will be reflected
in Project Server and in the respective Microsoft Project files. Hope this
helps.

 

[sgOrchid]

I have captured my Outlook Task.

Task1: http://i39.tinypic.com/1zp1oub.jpg

Task2: http://i43.tinypic.com/j0d54j.jpg

My Question is,

1. Once I complete the Task, Should I click, Save to Project Web Access or
Save & Close

2. If you observe the Two images, Task 1 shows Save, Task 2 shows Save &
close. Why there is a difference?

Thank you

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

sgOrchid --

Looking at the two screenshots you attached, since you are using the % Work
Complete method of tracking progress, the correct option for your
organization would be to click the Save to Project Web Access button with
the "And submit to project manager" checkbox selected as well. By
performing this action, the team member will submit the task update for
his/her project manager for approval. The Save and Close button is only
relevant if your organization is using the Hours of Work Done Per Period,
tracked on a daily basis. Using that method of tracking, a team member
would enter progress on Monday, then click the Save and Close button.
He/she would continue this process every day until Friday, when he/she would
click the Save to Project Web Access button. Hope this helps.

 

[sgOrchid]

Thank you Dale Howard for your prompt response.

1. Since saving every task into PWA is slow (It takes few seconds) and
affects productivity. Is there any alternate way? Instead of % complete
anything else can be done? Instead of % complete can I update as Task
health := Completed (From List box)?

2. Where there is a difference in UI (Save vs Save & Close)

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

sgOrchid --

Using the % Complete method of tracking is the absolutely simplest way to
track progress. I don't think you will find anything faster than that.

For the life of me, however, I don't know why you are spending so much time
fighting with the Project Server add-in for Outlook. Why don't you just
teach your team members to access the My Tasks page in PWA, where they can
status one or more tasks quickly, and then submit the task updates directly
to their project managers? Believe me, that would be much simpler and
faster! Hope this helps.

 

[sgOrchid]

Hi Dale Howard

Thanks for your inputs. I will request them to update using My Tasks.
The main reason I was embarking on Outlook is, most of the team members
spends tons of time on outlook. Now without outlook is like life with one
hand.
So giving them a choice to update from outlook is simple and they no need to
open browser, access web page etc.

After long struggle looks like things are working ok now. The main culprit
was some of the Critical updates I did not update for office project 2007.
Today I did and it looks good for the time beeing. We are doing more test to
conclude.

I appreciate your quick response which was very helpful. I appreciate.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

sgOrchid --

A better way to use Project Server with Outlook is documented in the
following Help Blog post:

http://www.projectserverhelp.com/Li...st=f884b43f-61db-4c4e-94a3-38f21a8efdad&ID=77

If your people follow the above process, they get to have life with two
hands again!