Controlling WBS structure in Maser Project file

[hornet50]

I am a fairly novice user of MS Project. I have several small project files
(level III) that I am attempting to insert into a lager progect file(Level
II). I next need to insert the newly consolidated file (Level II) just made
into a larger office-wide project file (Level I). I need to control the WBS
structure at all levels to coorespond to a contractual reporting requirement.
I tried to display the WBS on the Level 1 document but the WBS structure
starts and stops with each inserted project document. What is the easiest
way to fix this? Would I be better off defining a custom field at the
office-wide level or uniquely numbering the projects at the smallest level
prior to inserting them?

 

[John]

I am a fairly novice user of MS Project. I have several small project files
(level III) that I am attempting to insert into a lager progect file(Level
II). I next need to insert the newly consolidated file (Level II) just made
into a larger office-wide project file (Level I). I need to control the WBS
structure at all levels to coorespond to a contractual reporting requirement.
I tried to display the WBS on the Level 1 document but the WBS structure
starts and stops with each inserted project document. What is the easiest
way to fix this? Would I be better off defining a custom field at the
office-wide level or uniquely numbering the projects at the smallest level
prior to inserting them?

hornet50,
There are various ways to do it but this may be the most straightforward.
Go ahead and create the level 1 master file. Enter the contract WBS into
the WBS field for all tasks (Project's WBS field is one of the dual mode
fields, that is, Project will automatically populate it but those values
can be manually overwritten by the user). Then save the master and be
sure to say "yes to all" when Project asks if changes should be saved
for all files.

Of course any time you add a new task, Project will automatically
generate a WBS number which you will have to overwrite.

If you don't want to worry about having to overwrite Project's automatic
WBS, then you might consider using a spare text field at the level 1
master. Again, use the save process outlined above.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[hornet50]

Thanks for the information

hornet50,
There are various ways to do it but this may be the most straightforward.
Go ahead and create the level 1 master file. Enter the contract WBS into
the WBS field for all tasks (Project's WBS field is one of the dual mode
fields, that is, Project will automatically populate it but those values
can be manually overwritten by the user). Then save the master and be
sure to say "yes to all" when Project asks if changes should be saved
for all files.

Of course any time you add a new task, Project will automatically
generate a WBS number which you will have to overwrite.

If you don't want to worry about having to overwrite Project's automatic
WBS, then you might consider using a spare text field at the level 1
master. Again, use the save process outlined above.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[John]

Thanks for the information

Hornet50,
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.
John