Question about Task Types

D

DimonD

Ok, here is the problem. We are using MS Project Prof + Server
We want to make reports and see timesheets according to the Task Type but
not the Tasks. For example we want to see how many hours our ppl are studying
different documentation, how many time do they spend on coding (no matter
want task, but coding itself), and so on. So there is a list of Task Types:
Education, Debate, Coding, Design, Testing, Software Setup...

When a PM makes a plan say he input a "Write FOO proc" Task. In common this
is a Coding Type of Task, but when a coder begin working on this task he can
find out that he need to study some new file format. Also near the end of
task he will spend some time on tests of the new proc. But working with the
Task in PWA noone can make subtasks on the final (not a group) task!

So at the end we want to get the following timesheet information on "Write
FOO proc" task:
- Coding - 5 hours
- Education - 4 hours
- Testing - 3 hours

Also we want to see this information for the whole project:
- Coding - 740 hours
- Education - 380 hours
- Testing - 460 hours

How to solve this problem?
What solution can you suggest me?
 
R

Rod Gill

I recommend you insert a custom field such as Text1. Add a lookup field that
has Coding, Education in etc. Now select the type of task in the schedule
(insert the filed in any task view). You can now select Project, Group by,
More Groups and create a Text1 group. This will then give you your
subtotals.
 
D

DimonD

Thank you for the idea Rob, but this will not work. Why? Because Task often
consists of several types. How? Say we have a "Write FOO proc" task. It will
have several types: Coding, Education and Testing. We can not make a Task of
several type using your idea.

Another idea is to make several subtasks for this task. But this also doesnt
work because noone can make a subtask for a task in PWA. It is only possible
to add new tasks to Group Tasks in PWA. When PM added "Write FOO proc" he
did`nt know that a programmer will need to sudy some additional materials!

Any other ideas?

Best regards,
DimonD
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

DimonD:

You have two choices, either go with additional granularity in the tasks,
which you've already dismissed, or look at changing the timesheeting system
in Project. The former is a kludge no matter how your approach it. I'd sure
hate to be a resource on a project that has every task broken down into six
or seven possible subactivities!

The crux of the problem is that your requirement demands transactional
analysis that Project's timesheets do not provide. If you've got the
development expertise to modify the Project Timesheet, you can add this
feature. Better still, consider using a third party timesheet such as
TimeControl from HMS or the EPK tool. I believe both of these have the
capabilities to accomplish your goals. TimeControl is a very mature product
and could be useful to your organization in many other ways. The EPK tool is
embedded in the Project Web Access is newer to the market. From what I've
seen, they're both excellent choices.
 
D

DimonD

Thank you Garry for you help!

One more q-n.
"The EPK tool is embedded in the Project Web Access"
What do you mean by "embedded in the PWA"? What I see in PWA now (default
Project Server Installation) is it EPK tool?
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

DimonD:

What I meant by that, is that the EPK tool, which is an independent add-in
from a company named EPK, installs as if it is embedded in Project Server.
When you deploy it, it's very difficult to tell where it begins and Project
Server ends. This is not surprising as the team that wrote it, is the former
E-labor team, which is the product Microsoft bought for use in creating the
Project Server application to begin with.
 
Top