Duration to Include Split in Task

[Gary]

Hi,

I'm inserting some splits in a number of tasks in my project file, but would
like the overall duration to include the split time, which at present it
doesn't seem to do, the reason being that during the split we will still be
working on the task, paper work, tenders that sort of thing.

Is this possible.

Many thanks

 

[Rod Gill]

Not in the duration column. You can calculate and overall duration in a
formula in a custom field if you want.

However, if you are still working on the task, then it shouldn't be split,
just maybe at a different hours per day? If so, edit the work in the Task or
Resource Usage View to reflect new level of hours per day or week.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com

 

[Steve House]

As Rod said, if there's work going on in the task, it's not a split. A
split means that everything ceases - there's a strike and work stops or
there's a fire and no one can enter the job site until it's been rendered
safe. Basically the task takes a vacation and hours inside the split become
non-working time, completely non-existent as far as the project is
concerned.

I'll bet you're not breaking down your tasks far enough. A task is a piece
of observable physical activity done by ONE skill package resulting in ONE
specific deliverable. If you're preparing tenders, doing paperwork, what
you're calling a "task" is actually a higher level summary task and ALL the
specific unique actions necessary to complete it should be detailed out as
subtasks indented underneath it. Preparing each individual tender is a
task, preparing the paperwork is a task, and so forth.

"Duration" by definition is working time only. When work stops, duration
stops, even if hours shown by the clock on the wall and days on the calendar
keep on passing by.