show only successors to tasks outside wbs

[mikejw]

Hello,

I am working in MS Project 2007 in one file and would like to show on a
report successors that are linked to another subsystem/wbs. I would also
like to show the dates on the current task and its successor. The objective
is to show the subsystem manager just their successor links outside of there
domain so that they can see how a slipped date might impact another
subsystem. I know I can show this on a network diagram but would like to
give them a report.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Rob Schneider]

Can't get my head completely about what you want to do, but I'm pretty
sure that this sort of specialty report not included in the standard set
of reports.

I guess what I would do to tackle this sort of report would be to
sponsor the development of a program in VBA that pulled out the
successor tasks as you defined. The program would construct (probably)
report in HTML (since it's relatively simple and generic for viewing by
a browser). If the data and relationships are in the plan, and if the
report can be specified, then pretty much anything possible via VBA.

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[JulieS]

Hi Mikejw,

I'm not sure I fully understand -- have you created the external
predecessors/successors to the other file? If not, then Project
would have no way of referring to the external task. If you've
create the Project file with the links to the other tasks and you
have the option "Show external predecessors" and "Show external
successors" select on the View tab in Tools > Options, you should
see the external tasks in your project file.

The external tasks will show "yes" in the field "External task" and
the predecessor and successors fields will show the full name of the
external project file. You could create a formula (below) in one of
the spare Flag fields to show "yes" if either the task is external
or if a task's predecessor or successor is external. Then create a
filter (or use the Autofilters) to show only those tasks where the
Flag field is "yes". Modify an existing report to apply the custom
filter, or print the filtered view.

IIf([External
Task]=Yes,"Yes",IIf(instr([Predecessors],"\")>0,"Yes",IIf(Instr([Successors],"\")>0,"Yes","No")))

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

 

[mikejw]

Hello Julie/Rob,

All of these tasks are in one project...no subprojects. In each subsystem
there are links to its own tasks, as well as links to other subsystems. It
is these links that feed other subsystems that I am trying to capture. If
that is not possible, a predecessor and/or successor report that shows the
dates for both linked tasks, plus its slack would work.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

Hi Mikejw,

I'm not sure I fully understand -- have you created the external
predecessors/successors to the other file? If not, then Project
would have no way of referring to the external task. If you've
create the Project file with the links to the other tasks and you
have the option "Show external predecessors" and "Show external
successors" select on the View tab in Tools > Options, you should
see the external tasks in your project file.

The external tasks will show "yes" in the field "External task" and
the predecessor and successors fields will show the full name of the
external project file. You could create a formula (below) in one of
the spare Flag fields to show "yes" if either the task is external
or if a task's predecessor or successor is external. Then create a
filter (or use the Autofilters) to show only those tasks where the
Flag field is "yes". Modify an existing report to apply the custom
filter, or print the filtered view.

IIf([External
Task]=Yes,"Yes",IIf(instr([Predecessors],"\")>0,"Yes",IIf(Instr([Successors],"\")>0,"Yes","No")))

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

Hello,

I am working in MS Project 2007 in one file and would like to show
on a
report successors that are linked to another subsystem/wbs. I
would also
like to show the dates on the current task and its successor. The
objective
is to show the subsystem manager just their successor links
outside of there
domain so that they can see how a slipped date might impact
another
subsystem. I know I can show this on a network diagram but would
like to
give them a report.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Jim Aksel]

We use Giver and Receiver milestones for this purpose. Giver milestones
contain a deadline date and predecessors internal to the file. The only
successor that a giver may have must be "outside the file" (or if it is all
in one file, the successor must be outside of the group of tasks controlled
by that group -- plummers have giver milestones to key the drywall people to
start). So givers have external successors.

Reveivers are opposite, a receiver must have an external predecessor and may
also have a deadline date.

Deadline dates for Givers and Receivers are negotiated among the team
members and come under configuration control. You cannot change one of those
dates without permission from the receiver of the work product.

Givers/Receivers apply only to work products, other tasks in the schedule
may run amok, but you have to deliver your giver on time, else you impact
someone else. The deadline date on the milestones shows a red diamond
indicator if the date is exceeded triggering the manager to know they are
going to make someone else late. If a Receiver goes late, a supervisor can
point to that and say they have a late start, they want a day for day slip
(or they have to find a way to compress the schedule although it is not their
fault).

HTH
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

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

 

[Rob Schneider]

Cool. I'd go with what already exists and works.

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

Hello Julie/Rob,

All of these tasks are in one project...no subprojects. In each subsystem
there are links to its own tasks, as well as links to other subsystems. It
is these links that feed other subsystems that I am trying to capture. If
that is not possible, a predecessor and/or successor report that shows the
dates for both linked tasks, plus its slack would work.

Thanks for your help.

Mike

Hi Mikejw,

I'm not sure I fully understand -- have you created the external
predecessors/successors to the other file? If not, then Project
would have no way of referring to the external task. If you've
create the Project file with the links to the other tasks and you
have the option "Show external predecessors" and "Show external
successors" select on the View tab in Tools > Options, you should
see the external tasks in your project file.

The external tasks will show "yes" in the field "External task" and
the predecessor and successors fields will show the full name of the
external project file. You could create a formula (below) in one of
the spare Flag fields to show "yes" if either the task is external
or if a task's predecessor or successor is external. Then create a
filter (or use the Autofilters) to show only those tasks where the
Flag field is "yes". Modify an existing report to apply the custom
filter, or print the filtered view.

IIf([External
Task]=Yes,"Yes",IIf(instr([Predecessors],"\")>0,"Yes",IIf(Instr([Successors],"\")>0,"Yes","No")))

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

Hello,

I am working in MS Project 2007 in one file and would like to show
on a
report successors that are linked to another subsystem/wbs. I
would also
like to show the dates on the current task and its successor. The
objective
is to show the subsystem manager just their successor links
outside of there
domain so that they can see how a slipped date might impact
another
subsystem. I know I can show this on a network diagram but would
like to
give them a report.

Thanks, Mike