Can we arrange the sequence of tasks instead of inputting the start-end time.

[Jie]

Can we arrange the sequence of tasks instead of inputting the start-end time?

Our project is just a Nation Science Foundation project. So we can not know the end time of each task. but we know the sequence of each task. Can we arrange the sequence of tasks instead of inputting the start-end time?

Thanks!

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Jie,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Yes indeed, that is the correct way and Project is designed to work that
way! You might like to see FAQ Item: 42. Guide to Network Analysis

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: http://www.mvps.org/project/

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Jie --

You not only CAN sequence tasks as you wish, you SHOULD sequence tasks
instead of entering Start dates and Finish dates for the tasks. To sequence
a series of tasks with a Finish to Start dependency, select the tasks and
click the Link Tasks button on the Standard toolbar. To change a dependency
to any of the other three types, double-click the link line between the
tasks in the Gantt Chart and edit the dependency. Other task types are
Start to Start, Finish to Finish, and Start to Finish. You can also add Lag
time and Lead time (negative Lag) to the task dependency as well. Hope this
helps.

Can we arrange the sequence of tasks instead of inputting the start-end time?

Our project is just a Nation Science Foundation project. So we can not

know the end time of each task. but we know the sequence of each task. Can
we arrange the sequence of tasks instead of inputting the start-end time?

 

[Trevor Rabey]

This is exactly what you must do.
Avoid using fixed start and finish dates, which is the most common mistake
made by beginners, unless absolutely forced to.
build your project plan like this:
tasks
duration
links (predecessors)
resources
costs

There is plenty written up on this in this newsgroup which I won't repeat
here but which is easy to find.

Can we arrange the sequence of tasks instead of inputting the start-end time?

Our project is just a Nation Science Foundation project. So we can not

know the end time of each task. but we know the sequence of each task. Can
we arrange the sequence of tasks instead of inputting the start-end time?

 

[Jie]

Thanks for replying. Maybe I donot understant right. For example. Our project has only five tasks

T 1.1 Get u
T 1.2 Was
T 2.1 Ea
T 2.2 Pla
T 3.1 Slee

We know that the start time for our project is Sep 1, 2003. the ending time for our project is Sep 1, 2004. But we donot know the start and ending time of each task. We only want to say that we will do our project by the following sequence
T1.1->T2.1->T3.1->T2.2->T1.

So what should I do?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Jie --

Refer to my previous post to learn how to link tasks.

Thanks for replying. Maybe I donot understant right. For example. Our project has only five tasks.

T 1.1 Get up
T 1.2 Wash
T 2.1 Eat
T 2.2 Play
T 3.1 Sleep

We know that the start time for our project is Sep 1, 2003. the ending

time for our project is Sep 1, 2004. But we donot know the start and ending
time of each task. We only want to say that we will do our project by the
following sequence.

 

[John]

Jie,
Are we doing your homework for you? I'll give you the benefit of the
doubt and assume your project is larger than simply trying to figure out
how to use Project.

Following on what Dale suggested, first input the tasks in the sequence
you need. Then link them as Dale mentioned (i.e. "chain link" icon). The
time span you have is 1 year which is totally absurd for the tasks
outlined but for sake of argument assume each task has the same
duration. Between 9/1/03 and 9/1/04 there are 263 working days (assuming
normal 8 hour work day and no holidays). You could set the estimated
Duration of each task to 52 days (52 x 5 = 260) and then allocate the
remaining 3 days over one or more tasks, or you could go to Tools/Change
Working Time and designate 3 days as holidays. Then end result will be a
year long schedule with each of your tasks in sequence.

John
P.S. If we really did do your homework, make sure you give us credit in
your NSF project report

 

[Jie]

Thanks Dale and John

It is really my homework Just kidding

Actually sometimes I was confused by my boss. He want no date information. He thought only sequence is ok. I donot think that his idea is good. But he is the boss I have to think for him and implement his idea. This is why I raised this strange question althought I know how to link them. So according to your answer, I have to set the time for each task,right

 

[Jie]

Thanks. I am a little unconfident of what I learned for MS Porject 2000. This is my first time to reuse MS Project in the latest three years. Sometimes I was confused by other people. Yes, you and I are right

Thanks. End

 

[Steve House]

There are three variables needed for Project to create a basic
schedule - the task's themselves and their sequencing, the estimated
time each task will take to complete once it starts, and the date work
will begin on the first task. No other dates are required nor desired
except in special circumstances. Project's job is to calculate all the
other dates for you given those three inputs plus information on when
the resources required to perform the work will be available.

--
Steve House
MS Project MVP
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Thanks Dale and John.

It is really my homework Just kidding.

Actually sometimes I was confused by my boss. He want no date

information. He thought only sequence is ok. I donot think that his idea
is good. But he is the boss I have to think for him and implement his
idea. This is why I raised this strange question althought I know how to
link them. So according to your answer, I have to set the time for each
task,right?