Custom Fields in Master Projects key identifiers

[Marvin Writers]

I have a two part question.
1. The templates for my subprojects have a custom field called Job ID. I use
this to create a unique identifier for the project. When I insert the
subproject into my master project, the custom field Job ID does not show up.
I have checked the show summary task check box in both the subproject and
master and it still does not show. IS THERE A WAY TO GET A CUSTOM FIELD TO
SHOW IN A MASTER PROJECT?

2. Am i going about this the wrong way? Is there some other field I could
enter this information where it will show up in the master project other than
Task Name?

 

[Jim Aksel]

We generally use a spare text field as a uniqueID for mulitple projects. For
example Systems Engineering uses SE, the test group uses "TST". So in file
"Systems Eng.mpp" we have Text1 set up as SE001, SE002, SE003 .... In the
Test.mpp the Text1 field contains TST001, TST002, etc.
We insert both of these files into Master.mpp. Insert the Text1 column into
Master.mpp and everything shows just fine.

Keep in mind of you want the column name on the Text1 field to say "JobID"
you will need to rename the Text1 column in all the files since that will not
carry forward to Master.mpp. To rename the column, right click on it, select
customize fields. When the new dialog opens, select your desired column and
then select the rename button.

Is that what you were looking for?
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Marvin Writers]

This is exactly how i've done it. However when i enter, "00001" or any other
entry into the "Job ID" field in the subproject summary task, that entry does
not show up in the master project list.

 

[Marvin Writers]

I guess what i'm looking to do is assign a key identifier code to each
subproject that shows up in the master project list. Similar to what Access
does with each entry in a database.

 

[John]

I have a two part question.
1. The templates for my subprojects have a custom field called Job ID. I use
this to create a unique identifier for the project. When I insert the
subproject into my master project, the custom field Job ID does not show up.
I have checked the show summary task check box in both the subproject and
master and it still does not show. IS THERE A WAY TO GET A CUSTOM FIELD TO
SHOW IN A MASTER PROJECT?

2. Am i going about this the wrong way? Is there some other field I could
enter this information where it will show up in the master project other than
Task Name?

Marvin Writers,
Where exactly are you setting up the custom field in the subproject? If
you are only entering the Job ID in a spare field on the Project Summary
Task of the subproject, then it will not show up in the master since
that summary line is NOT the same line as the subproject insertion point
in the master file. However, if you create your own top level summary
line, (i.e. ID 1), in the subproject and assign the Job ID to a spare
field on that line, then it will show up in the master file.

As an alternative, have you thought about using either the Subproject
File field or the Project field in the master?

Hope this helps.

John
Project MVP

 

[Marvin Writers]

I put the JOB ID data in the subproject summary task, JOB ID custom field.
Part of the flow is that once a subproject is completed i move it to a
"completed" folder and delete it from the master. I'm thinking the only way I
can really tie the two together and have them visible througout the process
is to include it in the project name.

 

[John]

I put the JOB ID data in the subproject summary task, JOB ID custom field.
Part of the flow is that once a subproject is completed i move it to a
"completed" folder and delete it from the master. I'm thinking the only way I
can really tie the two together and have them visible througout the process
is to include it in the project name.

Marvin Writers,
If by subproject summary task you mean the Project Summary Task (ID 0),
then as I said, that subproject line will NOT be visible in a
consolidated master. Use the alternate method I described. You could of
course also put your job ID in the project name, and personally, I think
that is a better approach, but it isn't necessary.

John
Project MVP