Resource Name Changes Actual Finish Information

[cmol]

I'm having a situation when a resource name is added to a task that already
has an actual finish, the actual finish date changes to NA. Any idea how to
fix this one?

 

[JulieS]

Hello cmol,

What version (including service pack) of project are you using? I
cannot reproduce the error using Project 2003 (SP-3). Adding an
additional resource to a completed fixed units task just increases the
total amount of work, but the task is still complete -- no change to
Actual Finish. Adding an additional resource to a completed fixed
duration task, just adds the 2nd resource with 0 work, no change in
actual finish. Adding resources to a fixed work task, just increases
work but the actual finish is unchanged.

Is it possible you are manually adding remaining work or remaining
duration when you add the second resource? Adding remaining work or
duration will make the task less than 100% complete and will set an
actual finish date to "NA". A task with remaining work or remaining
duration cannot have an actual finish.

Let us know what version of Project you are using and specifically how
you are adding the additional resource.

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

 

[cmol]

Thank you for your response. I am using Project 2007. I believe service
pack 2 is installed on my computer. What is happening is that resource names
have never been added to this schedule. I did not create it, one of my
Superintendents did, but I'm still stumped on this one. I'm not sure why
adding a resource name would have any impact on the actual finish date.

 

[JulieS]

Hi cmol,

Thanks for the information that you are using Project 2007. In
testing in 2007, I can reproduce exactly what you report. Adding
resources to a completed task (100% complete and an Actual Finish
date) where there were no resources assigned, sets the percent
complete back to zero and sets the Actual Finish back to NA.

It does not behave that way in Project 2003. Sorry, I don't have a
good explanation other than to say, I see it as well.

When you assign the resource Project calculates work. I assume that
calculation is causing the error. If you just want to add the
resource's name but don't care about work or cost calculation, you
could use the "Contact" field added to the Gantt chart and enter the
resource's name there. That does not cause work to be calculated and
should not re-set the actual data to zero.

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

 

[JulieS]

Hi cmol,

Thanks for the information that you are using Project 2007. In
testing in 2007, I can reproduce exactly what you report. Adding
resources to a completed task (100% complete and an Actual Finish
date) where there were no resources assigned, sets the percent
complete back to zero and sets the Actual Finish back to NA.

It does not behave that way in Project 2003. Sorry, I don't have a
good explanation other than to say, I see it as well.

When you assign the resource Project calculates work. I assume that
calculation is causing the error. If you just want to add the
resource's name but don't care about work or cost calculation, you
could use the "Contact" field added to the Gantt chart and enter the
resource's name there. That does not cause work to be calculated and
should not re-set the actual data to zero.

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

 

[cmol]

Thank you for the quick response. Makes sense.

Hi cmol,

Thanks for the information that you are using Project 2007. In
testing in 2007, I can reproduce exactly what you report. Adding
resources to a completed task (100% complete and an Actual Finish
date) where there were no resources assigned, sets the percent
complete back to zero and sets the Actual Finish back to NA.

It does not behave that way in Project 2003. Sorry, I don't have a
good explanation other than to say, I see it as well.

When you assign the resource Project calculates work. I assume that
calculation is causing the error. If you just want to add the
resource's name but don't care about work or cost calculation, you
could use the "Contact" field added to the Gantt chart and enter the
resource's name there. That does not cause work to be calculated and
should not re-set the actual data to zero.

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

 

[JulieS]

You're welcome cmol and thanks for the feedback. I'm not sure that I
agree that it makes sense, I can only say that it is what you report


Julie