Start/Finish Dates

[Claire]

I'm relatively new to MS Project. I have a baselined schedule. While
updating the schedule, should I leave the start and finish dates the same if
the date has passed. Or should I update the schedule with a new anticipated
start or finish date?

 

[Dave]

I'm relatively new to MS Project. I have a baselined schedule. While
updating the schedule, should I leave the start and finish dates the same if
the date has passed. Or should I update the schedule with a new anticipated
start or finish date?

Generally, I think it's best to leave the task as is, even if the start
date has passed, until the task actually starts. Then enter the Actual
Start date and track from there.
Hope this helps in your world.

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Claire,

A schedule is most useful if it is an accurate reflection of how the work is
going to be performed. If you know that a task is not going to be performed
when it was originally planned then you should change it to reflect your
current plan. If a task that was scheduled for last week has not begun, then
you should move the start of that task forward to the date that you think the
task is going to start.

Leaving that uncompleted work in the past gives a false forecast of schedule
and resource demand.

Make it a point to check for these tasks and update them at the same time
you update the rest of your progress.

-Jack Dahlgren