Unexpected Scheduling...

[smarf]

Hi,

I am having trouble with project partially scheduling me for a series
of linked tasks.
I made a quick movie of the problem at...

www.uforecord.com/ProjectProblem/

Thanks...

PS - uforecord.com is not a site, just a domain name where I put this
movie...

 

[Jim Aksel]

Nice video. In addition to Trevor's post, look at Tools/Change Working Time...
It appears you have your personal work calendar set to 6 days per week, but
you haven't shown us anything about the project calendar.

Try Window/Split. In the bottom window make the tasks Fixed Units, assign
yourself at 100% and then key in the work in hours as you have indicated.
Let the duration ride to where it wants to be.

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

Jim

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

 

[smarf]

Hiya,

Awesome help...it'll take me the day to understand your suggestions
and then I'll post where I am. A few interesting side notes while I
do that...

One of the things that really interests me in regards to project
management software is its ability to break tasks into hours, then
express those tasks over real schedules. As a cabinet company owner,
I have been totally stunned at everyones ability to underestimate
tasks time wise. This has proven to hold for the lowest paid laborer
up to 20 and 30 year veterans. Across the board. And the question
posed to these folks is...how long will it take? The answer is
usually expressed in days.

Now, if I make a list of 10 steps and have them put in the hours per
step, the estimate easily doubles. If I do a PERT analysis, the
median can more than double it.

So the key thing for me is hours. I really think people, at least in
my industry make more pessimistic, and therefore realistic, estimates
in hours.

Getting them to do decimal percentages of days will lead to the
original problem.

My friends do work in IT and programming, and they seem to have the
same or worse problem in terms of estimating projects accurately.

Well, let me tinker here and get back to you all...

Oh, in regards to the wacky percentages, I assume you are talking
about the ones that appear at the end of the Gantt bars? Those were
generated by the software, and I always have been putting in 100% as
my value.

I should figure out how to post the file for download...I'm sure you'd
be able to figure things out in minutes with that item...

Thanks, talk to you soon...

Patrick

 

[smarf]

Well,

I tinkered with everything you suggested, but no luck. I'm sure it's
staring me in the face. Here is the file itself, with that I'm sure
it'll take all of 3 seconds for you to find the problem. I am going
mad with this one. If I can figure it out, I'll be able to start
using the program for my business right away. Thanks again for your
help...

www.uforecord.com/SampleProjectFile.mpp

There you go...

It's 2007, post to the thread if you need a backward compatible file,

Patrick

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Patrick:

The problem you are having is the order in which you are doing things and
the way you are doing it. Try this:

Remove yourself from all of the tasks (leave them linked)
Click Window > Split
In the task entry form below, select yourself as a resource on the first
task, and then enter the hours in the appropriate field and click the OK
button
Repeat this process for each task
VIOLA! The results you seek.

The explanation for the behavior is the dreaded "Noseeums." Like the tiny
mites they are named for, this is data you simply cant see without using the
correct view and process. By applying the resource before the tasks were
linked, you forced the scheduling engine to calculate false allocations. It
then uses this bad allocation data to further miscalculate the schedules as
you make your changes.

Project has a fairly complex scheduling algorithm with a matrix of behaviors
that takes time to get used to. You'll waste a lot of time fighting with it
until you master it. If you don't already have a copy of our book, Ultimate
Learning Guide to Microsoft Office Project 2007, may I suggest that you get
a copy? Download the exercise files and work your way through the first 12
modules and you'll be scheduling like a pro in no time.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

[smarf]

Hiya Everyone,

I can't believe how helpful you have all been. I mean this. I will
find a forum about something I know (probably woodworking) and will
answer one question a day. I even see posts I know the answer to and
skip right along. No more.

I don't feel bad about this problem...obviously it's the noseeums. I
will buy the book and work through the exercises. The reward of
knowing this software will be tremendous, as well you all know.

Okay...off to implementing and learning about your solutions...

Patrick

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Best of luck Patrick.

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

[smarf]

Well,

So far so good...I seem to be wrangling this under control. I see
that Gary was on the money, but all the suggestions in all the posts
helped, such as modifying the date display to show the time of day.

It seems that until I understand the algorithms, I will have to have
quite a few columns turned on. I've never wanted a 30 in monitor...or
two...more badly!

Is it possible to create a custom column that would display, say, the
type of task in a single letter? For instance, a Type column that
would show 'f' for fixed task, 'w' for fixed work, or 'u' for fixed
units? If I could, I could have those columns on AND still be able to
see the Gantt bars!

Thanks...

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

You could MAKE that column
Look at customize, fields: you could enter the foillowing formula in a
customized text field:
Mid("UDW";([Type]+1);1)

Hope this helps,