Recurring task every 3 months

[Velson Horie]

A contract I am setting up has to report every 3 months. This is then
followed up by a discussion within a week, then approval and payment.

First question. How do I set up a recurring task with a 3 month interval?
From the dialog box and previous posts, the answer is no. (If no, then
future Projects should have an option to choose the interval.)
At the moment I am setting these up by hand (for multiple contracts), and
having to change them everytime the start date changes.

Second. If yes, can I set up a recurring nest of tasks?

I am using Project 2003 SP1, XP SP2.
Thank you

 

[Jim Aksel]

Three months is 12 weeks in Project Speak. Insert a recurring task to repeat
weekly, every 12th week. Add your additional meetings and payment tasks
after setting up the recurring task. They can be buried in the recurring
stack or linked to other groupings such as "Coordination Meetings"

Setting a recurring "nest" is not possible. You need three sets of
recurring tasks.

If the project Start Date moves to the right, then use the adjust dates
wizard on the analysis toolbar. This will move all your tasks appropriately.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Velson Horie]

Dear Jim

Thank you for the advice and I shall use what I can. Unfortunately there is
a basic flaw in Project. Months form the basis of the real contract periods
by which people get paid and I get judged, not weeks. 4 quarters should add
up to a year and they don't.

The French revolutionaries tried to devise a calendar with months based on
three 10 day weeks. It did not work either.

Microscoft needs to recognise that for most cultures there are 52
(approximately) weeks in the year, not 48.

Or is that asking too much?

Thank you

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Velson ,

The problem that all programming packages have is answering the question:
"How long is a month" If you want accurate calculations, a 3-month task
starting on 1 Jan will have a different number of days to that starting on 1
Feb, or 1 Aug. Project does it's best by allowing you to specify the
number of days in a "standard" month, or for recurring tasks you can select
"the first day of every 3rd month".

As to your reference to when people get paid, that is not Project's job as a
scheduelling program - it's not a accounting program.

If you feel strongly about it, tell Microsoft via this link:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project/FX100649021033.aspx?CTT=96&Origin=CL100627011033
There is a feedback selection at the bottom left of the page. Microsoft
rearely look at these forums.

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials

 

[Velson Horie]

Mike

A month is whatever a month appears in the calender. One month from the 6th
of January ends on the 5th February. So if our programme says a report is
due every 3 months, these will be due on say the 1st of Feb, May, Aug etc.
The programme then has to assign the resources to get people to do the work,
prepare the report, read it, approve, then pay according to this tri-monthly
schedule.

There seems no reason in principle why a schedule based on months should be
any different from that based on days (which need to accomodate weekends,
public holidays etc). At a granularity of hours or minutes, then specifying
the number of hours in a month becomes important, but only then.

I have taken your suggestion and put it to Microsoft. Thank you

Velson

 

[Mike Glen]

Well, Velson, isn't that exactly what happens if you set the recurring task
as I suggested: for recurring tasks you can select "the first day of every
3rd month"? Did you try that?

Mike Glen
Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials