WBS not in correct order in VISIO

[Jan Peeters]

Hi,

When I create a WBS from Project into Visio; it is not in the correct WBS
order (1, 2, 3, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, ...) from left to right).

Is it possible to do this without reshuffling it in Visio?

Thanks.

 

[Steve House]

What you have indicated actually is not a correct WBS order either. The
correct order, reading the list of tasks from top to bottom, would be 1,
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2, 3 ... All of summary task 1's subtasks would be listed
indented under it, then an outdent back to the same level as task 1 for task
2 and 3 etc. Visio uses the Organization Chart template for its WBS chart
When the project is exported into Visio the chart would show the Project top
centre in the CEO slot, branching down to the next level where tasks 1, 2,
and 3 are shown in position similar to an organization's vice presidents.
Then the subtasks 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 would be listed as subordinates under task 1
on the next level down. The result resembles very closely a genealogical
family tree.

 

[Jan Peeters]

Steve,

The actual sequence I get is for example
level 0: name of the project
level 1: different boxes with the level 1 task but not in the correct order,
for example 3,1,2, where the coreect order from left to right should be 1,
2, 3.
level 2: under the level 2 task for example, the subtasks 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 ,...
but not in the correct order, reading from left to right.

Perhaps I have to sort the project according to some field?

Kind regards.

 

[BJ]

There's a thread in the Visio newsgroup that says there's nothing you can do
about this.

I've tried the VIsio approach and it does not work for me. Try WBS chart
from www.criticaltools.com. It sorts better, makes better charts and doesn't
split the charts up at random levels like Visio does.

 

[Steve House]

Hmmm - I've run it several times with a sample project and you're right, the
left to right order doesn't seem to be consistent for the top level tasks
but (so far) the vertical order for the rest is ok. Selecting a top level
task does active a "move left" or "move right" button on the tool bar so
it's not that hard to fix if you want them in numerical order by outline
number/WBS code.

Was trying to locate the thread you refer to in the Visio groups but can't
track it down. Which newsgroup is it in (there's a mess of groups for
Visio) and do you recall the subject line?

 

[Stefan Rauchegger]

Hi

try the WBS-Chart-AddIn from emotions, the website is in german
(therefore PSP instead of WBS), but you can change language of the
trial during setup.

ePSP ... http://www.emotions.at/de_download.aspx

HTH

Stefan