[Project 2007 - PWA] - Outline field in Project becomes text in PW

D

Doug_F

I created a resource Outline type field in Project and linked it to an
existing lookup table and then hit the 'Add field to Enterprise..' button.

Went to PWA, the field is there but listed as a text field not an outline.

I can't create outline fields in PWA.

Searched the forum and have not found anything on this particular topic.

TIA for any assistance.

Doug
 
V

Vadim Gerya, PMP

Why you can not create Custom field in PWA ?
1) create look up table
2) create custom field and link one to the lookup created (name of field has
to distinguish from lookup table name!)
 
D

Doug_F

PWA doesn't allow the creation of outline type fields. I think/thought this
was a problem. Per this link:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms447495.aspx it seems that this is
normal behavior (ever notice how you find what you couldn't just after you
post...)

Anyway, the issue is that I'm working with a 'quick and dirty' Project/PWA
setup - it was a rush job done by an intern who's now gone back to school and
the install contains a ton of stuff that may or may not be useful. We're
trying to figure out how to roll up hours and cost by things like department,
bid code/sub bid code, skill set/sub skill set, etc. These were all created
as text fields in PWA and didn't seem to provide useful summarizing
functionality.

In reading through 'Project 2007 Inside Out', I found the description of
outline codes which sounded perfect. Created one to test, pushed it to PWA,
and automagically, it's a text field...

Back to reading and hacking and whacking...

Thanks for the reply; it is very much appreciated.

Doug
 
D

Doug_F

Sorry if this turns out to be a dupliate post...

A bit of background.

Our Project/PWA setup was a rush job done by an intern. There are tons of
things not complete, other things that were tried that may or may not have
worked...you get the idea.

What we want is the ability to do things like sort/group/summarize tasks,
resources, and costs by department, bid code/sub code, skill set/subskill
set, etc. Any number of custom text fields using lookup tables were created
in PWA. The problem was that they did not seem to allow for rollup/drill
down.

We discovered that the RBS field does some of what we want.

I also learned about Outline field while reading 'Project 2007 Inside Out'.
These seemed to be perfect for what we want. Create, push to PWA, turns into
a text field which is what we already have and don't seem to be working.

I found a post http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms447495.aspx that
explains this is normal. Darn!

Anyway, thank you so very much for the reply and now back to reading and
hacking some more.

Doug
 
V

Vadim Gerya, PMP

Hi Doug !
I dont exactly understand what does "Outline field" mean and what kind of
rollup/drill down functionality you would like to obtain.

But EPM-implemnetation tasks you described are typical. I hope you will find
good soulition using custom lookup tables and custom fileds as agregation
technique.
 
D

Doug_F

I guess the proper term is 'Outline Code Fields'. These are fields created
in Project 2007 (not PWA) that have a type 'Outline Code' as opposed to Text,
Date, or other type. Per 'Inside Out', these are fields that are similar to
WBS codes that allow you to "sort, group, or filter your tasks or resources
by any of thest outline codes to see the tasks or resources displayed in that
structure" (p 941).

From the description, it seems that Outline Code Fields are somehow
different from other lookup based custom fields. I'm not sure HOW they're
different, but it seems like the implication is that they are different.

When published to the server, the publishing process converts them to
standard Text fields. I'm not sure if this is important or not since I can't
tell how Outline Code Fields differ from Text fields.

Re the rollup/drill down issue - I am absolutely certain that Project 2007
and PWA do provide what we need and that we've just set things up wrong. I'm
slogging my way through 'Inside Out' and 'The Bible' trying to build up a
mini test environment so I can see what does what.

I apologize for my lack of clarity - I'm just leaning the lingo and I'm not
always sure how to ask the question properly. Thank you for sticking with
this thread.

Doug
 
V

Vadim Gerya, PMP

May be I am wrong, but outline code field you menitioned has the the same
functionality as enterprise field bound with lookup table.
As I understand Outline code fields
1) remain for backward compatibility with EPM2003
2) can be used locally for certain project
 
D

Doug_F

Vadim,

Thanks. So no magic in Outlines. The backward compatibility is a non issue
(we're starting at 2007). I was confused because 'Inside Out' seems to call
this field out as somehow different from a text field bound to a dblookup but
then the field is automagically converted to a text field when you push it to
the enterprise.

Ever play Zork or Myst? This is beginning to feel that way to me - cast a
magic spell and the dragon disappears...

Thanks for sticking with the thread - I'm off to figure out reporting now.

Doug
 
D

Doug_F

Gary,

Thanks for the link. I won't be able to attend this session - too much else
going on around here for that. Additionally, we have some consultants in
early next month to verify our setup and provide some on-site admin training.
Depending on how that goes, I may be coming back for more training.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Doug
 

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