Display Links/Tasks Dynamically When Cursor Placed On a Task

[dandigscars]

I work with many people who are intimidated by GANTT charts, especially ones
with a ton of spaghetti (linking) lines that make them unreadable. I need a
function that allows me to place the cursor over a task bar and shows me only
predessors and successors of that task, as well as linking lines. In one
mode, turn the whole chart light grey and change colors of the task and its
related tasks when cursor is passed over it. Another mode starts with
regular GANTT chart but no linking lines. When turned on and cursor over a
task, it shows bold linking lines with flowing arrows in the proper
directions. I also need a free/cheap reader program that allows people who
need to follow the plan to get and use the latest info electronically.

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[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Out of curiosity, have you ever tried applying the relationship diagram in
a split window view? This does exactly what you want, in a much nicer format
than you'll end up with in a badly laid out plan containing spaghetti
linking. Bad plans are bad plans. There's no function, other than learning
to build good schedules, that will compensate for this in the data grid or
Gantt chart. I'd certainly vote no on your suggestion to cure the symptoms
rather than the cause of the problem.

 

[JackD]

Sure would be nice if the relationship diagram were more clickable so you
could trace further back and if it highlighted the "driving" tasks.
It would allow someone who has a bad schedule created by someone else to
figure out what is going on.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Jack:

I thought that's what we use your trace macro for.<g>

 

[JackD]

Yup, but I'd like to see something better built right in - especially if it
works when you hover over a task.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Jack:

I'd buy into that if Monitors were seven feet high. In order for "Hovering"
to work, you need to be able to see more than 30 task lines. I don't see
that it would do much good with 2000 line project schedules. Building better
schedules is more effective. As I'm certain you know, schedules containing
spaghetti linking typically have other problems as well.

 

[JackD]

Don't go dissing spaghetti unless you want real trouble:
http://www.venganza.org/

I think you are right though, we do need 7 foot monitors, or at least 3 x
4ft. I've been saying that for many years.

Grouping is a solution when the spaghetti is inevitable.

 

[John Sitka]

.....eye...the FSM, a stearn'r Cap'n 'ye never find.