Completed Tasks

[Devendra Bhagat]

How do I prevent resources from reporting their actual hours on task which
is already completed?

The scenario is something like this..
Task 1 is assigned to Resource A to be completed in 3 days. This task
eventually gets completed in the stipulated time. However, later on after
say 2 months the resource reports some actual work on this task, which the
resource is not suppose to be reporting. How can I block the resources from
entering any actual work on already completed tasks?

Devendra

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Devendra --

If you are using Project Server 2003, you can use the Managed Time Periods
feature to lock past time periods. If you are using Project Server 2002,
you will need to make this a training and performance issue with both your
project managers and team members. Team members should be taught not to
enter progress on tasks that were completed in the past, and project
managers should be taught to reject actuals for closed tasks.

In addition, I believe your organization should develop a standard procedure
for deailing with issues like the one you detail here, and train everyone on
how to handle the situation. Specifically, what do you want people to do
when they perform additional work on a task they thought was completed? Do
you want them to create a new task? Do you want them to call the project
manager? What? If you don't tell people what to do in this situation, they
will enter their time against the previously completed task.

Once done, everyone should be held responsible for complying with the
company policy on entering work on closed tasks. Hope this helps.