Running multiple projects with MS Project

[Skip]

I am new to Project, and am using 2003. Our construction company typically
runs 10 to 15 projects at a time, running +/- 6 months. This is probably
pretty basic, but I have been unable to figure it out on my own .... Should
we be developing individual "files" for each project, and somehow linking
them together, or should we run one "master" schedule, and either build the
unique schedules and/or import templates into the master schedule. ALSO ...
in my experimentation, I embedded a sample project into what I called a
master schedule, regretted it, and have been unable to remove the embedded
sample project. I select the "parent" task, press delete, it warns me that
I'm deleting a taks that has subs, but I click okay, but it doesn't delete???
What's going on here? Thanks in advance.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Skip,

For details on the unable to delete a subproject problem see:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;834684

Although the article refers to a Project update, Service Pack 1 contains the
fix for that issue as well as others and I would recommend installing SP1.

As far as the master project versus one big project question. If your 10-15
projects are being managed by different project managers I would encourage
the master project/sub project approach. Each PM (properly trained in MS
Project of course) could then maintain their project and when needed all
projects could be combined. If the projects share the same resources, take a
look at "Resource Pools" in help for details.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

 

[Skip]

Thanks Julie - I appreciate the response and will attempt the fix.
Skip.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Skip,

Thanks for the feedback. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Julie