Creating Scenarios? Using VBScript to disable tasks?

[Dave]

One of my coworkers said she has seen some VB Script that allows you to
switch tasks on/off in MS Project. Thus enabling you to create different
scenarios by removing blocks of work (deliverables).

When I am scoping my projects something like this would be immensely
helpful. I need to play with different "what if's" in order to create a
feature set and schedule that is acceptable to our business managers.

Are there any tools out there to help do this? Does MS Project contain
features for this?

Thanks

Dave

 

[Jack D.]

One of my coworkers said she has seen some VB Script that allows you to
switch tasks on/off in MS Project. Thus enabling you to create different
scenarios by removing blocks of work (deliverables).

When I am scoping my projects something like this would be immensely
helpful. I need to play with different "what if's" in order to create a
feature set and schedule that is acceptable to our business managers.

Are there any tools out there to help do this? Does MS Project contain
features for this?

Thanks

Dave

I recall seeing an add-in to project which would allow conditional
scheduling. That was several years ago so I can't remember what the name
was.
Project itself does not offer this capability, but it does provide a
programming language to automate project which would allow you to do this.
The only problem is determining how you intend to "turn off" the tasks.

I would imagine that you could write something very simple like this:

sub conditionalSchedule()
dim t as task
for each t in activeproject.tasks
if not t.summary then
if not t is nothing then
if t.text1 = "A" then
t.duration = 0
end if
end if
end if
next t
end sub.

Then all you need to do is put an A in the text1 field for any tasks you
want to turn off.

You can of course enhance this by developing a larger set of codes (A, B, C,
D ...) and allowing the user to input those codes. That way you could easily
switch between different scenarios. Make sure that the duration is backed up
somewhere before you set it to zero.


--
Please try to keep replies in this group. I do check e-mail, but only
infrequently. For Macros and other things check http://masamiki.com/project

-Jack Dahlgren, Project MVP


+++++++++++++++++++