Deliverables not sync'ing between Project and WorksPace

[oldbradfordian]

I am running MS Project Pro 2007 client application, with MS Project Server
2007 and WSS 2007.

I create a project with an associated workspace.

I then use the 'Manage Deliverables' option in MS Project to add
deliverables linked to tasks in my Gantt chart. When I look in the project
workspace, I see the deliverables have been added automatically in the
'Deliverables' list, with start and end dates matching those in my Gantt
chart.

When I then modify my Gantt chart to update task schedule dates, the revised
deliverable dates do not get reflected in the workspace Deliverables list,
even after I save and publish the revised schedule.

Any ideas why the deliverables sync'd once (when added) but never again as
the schedule changes? This makes the Deliverables list on the workspace
worthless as it shows incorrect dates.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

oldbradfordian --

Deliverable dates do not automatically update when the project schedule
slips. I believe that Microsoft's assumption is that if you have missed a
Deliverable date, you need to negotiate with your client to determine a new
Deliverable date. Thus, you have to manually update Deliverable dates since
the software will not do this for you. If you think about this for a
minute, how in the world would the software be able to determine your new
Deliverable date automatically? Hope this helps.

 

[oldbradfordian]

Interesting. When I update the schedule, the dates for the task that is
linked to the deliverable are changed automatically by MS Project (since the
task has dependencies on other tasks). I assumed that it would then transfer
the updated dates to the linked deliverables, just as it does when it puts
the dates in when the deliverable is first created. I guess this isn't as
useful as I first thought.

Thanks.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

oldbradfordian --

You assumption is sound, but the software simply doesn't work the way you
expected. I personally agree with what I believe is Microsoft's reason for
not updating Deliverable dates. Believe me, if Project Server 2007
automatically updated Deliverable dates whenever the project slipped, then
people would be complaining that they don't like THAT behavior! Hope
this helps.

 

[oldbradfordian]

Valid point, Dale. It's unfortunate because some prople (e.g. executives)
don't want to look at Gantt charts, etc. They prefer the succinct summary of
the 'Deliverables' list to see a snapshot of where things are at. As it
stands, even if the dates don't change, the status (i.e. % complete) does not
automatically update, and so the project manager must repeatedly update the %
complate manually for each deliverable on each of their projects. Just extra
work that shouldn't be necessary. Maybe the deliverables should auto-update
their progress, but flag an alert to the project manager if the dates change,
requiring manual approval before making the change, in much the same way as
'cross project links' work in Project.

Thanks for the help.

 

[oldbradfordian]

Thanks, Gary. I'll look into that option.

OB:

Well, then each task path that produces a deliverable should also end with a
milestone. It is very easy to create a "milestone only" project view and pop
that webpart into the Project Workspace if that's what you desire. Executive
view problem solved.


----------
Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
Project Server Training: http://www.projectservertraining.com
Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com
Project Server Help Blog: http://www.projectserverhelp.com

 

[Peter Dean]

Hi Gary,

I've tried to set up a custom view to display the 'deliverable' milestones,
but when I try to add a 'Project Details' webpart to the Project workspace,
the view does not appear. Am I using the wrong webpart?

THanks,

Peter Dean