Timesheets in MSPS 2007

[mspsdeploy]

We are looking to upgrade to MSPS 2007 from MSPS 2003. One item that we want
to incorporate is timesheets which appear to work a bit differently in 2007
from 2003.

In my test, I created and published a workplan with one resource from the
resource pool. In the resource center, I have the timesheet approver as the
manager who is in the manager group. I setup the manager group to be able to
approve timesheets.

While logged in as the team member, I create a timesheet and submit it to
the manager. While logged in as the manager, I approve the timesheet. I was
expecting the actuals to go directly to the workplan, but they are not. Am I
missing a step? Or is there a configuration that has not been setup
correctly that I should check? In the Task Settings and Display, I checked
"Time entry by Timesheet only" so that the resources would create timesheets
and not need to use the Assignment page.

I have been searching the internet and have found the steps for creating the
timesheets, etc, but nothing particular to this issue. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.

 

[Jonathan Sofer]

Unfortunately, you are missing a step, and that is to go to the My Work page
and import your timesheet hours from the timesheet. Once you do this, you
then have to select all your assignments and submit for updating which is
similar to 2003. This is a manual step that is required and there is no way
around it.

The integration between timesheets and tasks updates was not well thought
out in 2007 and I imagine it will be changed in P14 release but I am not
aware that they are planning on doing anything about it now.

FYI, the setting you are referring to "Time entry by Timesheet only. Users
will sync to update tasks" describes this exactly: Select the Time entry by
Timesheet only check box if you want to ensure that your users always report
the same timesheet hours as task progress. ***Users must then import from
timesheet to update task progress and submit

Hope this helps explain it a bit.

Jonathan

 

[mspsdeploy]

Thank you so much for your response, Jonathan.

After I submitted this question, I began playing around with this a bit more
and discovered exactly what you are describing. After I logged in as a
manager and approved the task changes, I still didn't see the actuals in the
workplan when I went to the Project Center. I opened the workplan in MSP and
saw the actuals. So, I saved it and published the workplan again. Then, I
could see the actuals in the workplan when I looked at it in the Project
Center. Is that the process that I should follow? Or do you know of an
easier way?

Again, thanks for all of your help.

 

[Jonathan Sofer]

That is exactly the process you need to follow. After accepting the
updates, the PM must make any changes necessary to the project plan and
re-publish all the changes including the hours they accepted back out to
PWA.

FYI, if you set the hours to only come from timesheets, you essentially
disabling the My Tasks page from receiving any updates from the team member
manually. This means the resource cannot update the remaining work on
their tasks.

Jonathan

 

[mspsdeploy]

Thanks so much for your help with this, Jonathan!! I really appreciate it.

 

[Jonathan Sofer]

You are very welcome.

Jonathan

Thanks so much for your help with this, Jonathan!! I really appreciate
it.

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi mspsdeploy,

Glad you got a solution. Please, next time try posting on the server
newsgroup. Please see FAQ Item: 24. Project Newsgroups. FAQs, companion
products and other useful Project information can be seen at this web
address: http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

Mike Glen
Project MVP