Successor task not immediately following predecessor task.

[Tom]

Hi,
I have two tasks, on task has a 'must start on' constraint of 2/1/05,
duration of 3 days so it ends on 2/4/05. The sucessor task has a constraint
of 'as soon as possible' a type of 'finish-to-start' and zero lag days. But,
MS Project calculates a start date of 4/4/05??? There is no other linkages
and both tasks are NOT turned on for 'effort driven'. Why oh why would MS
Project create this lag time? Both tasks are detailed tasks within the same
summary task.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Tom,

A couple of things to check:
Are there resource(s) assigned to the sucessor task?
Do they have any non-working time in their calendars?
Under Tools>Options on the calculation page is your calculation set to
automatic?
Is the time from between the tasks set as non working in the project calendar?

Hope these ideas help. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

 

[Tom]

Hi Julie,
To answer your questions:
Are there resource(s) assigned to the sucessor task? There was, but I
deleted them from the predecessor and successor task and there is no change.
Do they have any non-working time in their calendars? n/a since they are
deleted.
Under Tools>Options on the calculation page is your calculation set to
automatic? It was and is turned on.
Is the time from between the tasks set as non working in the project
calendar? No, the time in the calendar shows as working time.

But, your ideas got the blood flowing in my brain and I decided to take the
summary task under which these tasks fall under and moved it out from under
the task it was under. That fixed the problem. My parent task had a
constraint date set for it, which my first task I had unbeknownst to me
overridden it with the 'must start on' constraint, but the successor task was
obligated to follow the parent task constraint. Case solved. So much
appreciate your help. Like I said, your ideas got me thinking. Thanks much!

 

[JulieS]

Hi Tom,

Glad to have helped - however indirectly. Thanks for the feedback and let
us know if we can help again.

Julie