Restrict the duration of a Project summary with split tasks

[Bawbee]

I have a project where the work started on 23-Jul-08 and proceeded for 3 days
on preparatory tasks. There follows a 'split' where no further work takes
place until 12-Jan-09. I have an unlinked split task that shows the initial
work (23-Jul-08 to 25-Jul-08) and the second portion shows the second portion
of teh project (12-Jan-09 to 13-Feb-09) - this shows a correct duration of 29
days. The problem I want to work-around is that the summary task shows a
duration of 149 days (23-Jul-08 to 13-Feb-09).

Is there anyway to show the split in the summary bar and for it to show only
the duration where tasks are being worked on?

 

[JulieS]

Hi Bawbee,

Sorry, the duration field is going to show the duration from the start of
the earliest to the finish of the last. You could add a custom duration
field (Duration1) and create a formula for the field setting it equal to the
Duration field. Then for group and summary rows, set the rollup to "Sum".

As far as the look of the summary bar, by default the bar will span across
all tasks. However, you might be able to accomplish "sort-of" what I think
you are seeking. Set the subtasks to roll up using the general tab of the
Task Information dialog box. Then through Format > Bar Styles, change the
bar color for summary tasks to white. The subtask bars will display on the
summary bar and there will be the ...... of the split showing, but the
summary bar will not be as visible due to the white color.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie