Enterprise Task Codes

[RandyK]

I understand that Enterprise Task codes are not loaded in the OLAP cube (as
are Resource and Project Codes), however, can I still report against these
task codes using another reporting tool?

For example, let's say only certain tasks within a project are billable. So
if I were to have a task code for "Billable?" (yes or no), is it possible to
report all billable tasks within a project using some other reporting tool?

I am not looking for "how" here - just whether it is possible.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Randy --

I believe you could use SQL Server Reporting Services of Crystal Reports for
this purpose, or you could extend the OLAP cube as well. Hope this helps.

 

[tonyzink]

Hi Randy --

I've reported actual work hours by task code in two ways:

1. Insert all of the projects into a master schedule, then create a
view which displays / summarizes the actual work hours by task code.
Depending upon the number of projects you have, the type of report(s)
you need to generate, and how you want to distribute the reports, this
may or may not be an option.

2. Use a macro in Project Pro which copies task code values into
assignment codes... which are then available in the OLAP cube for
slicing & dicing the work hours. This macro is configured to
automagically copy the code values every time the project schedule is
saved.

If you would like to learn more about either of these two methods, I
can post more info here.

Good luck!

Tony Zink
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[RandyK]

Thanks Tony -

The heart of this issue is that I am trying to create tasks codes that I can
use to create an output file from the MSPS databases and/or the OLAP cube
that will feed a chargeback system. Which option do you see as being more
efficient for that purpose? ...and yes, I would like to hear more! I
appreciate the assist on this one!

 

[RandyK]

Thanks Dale - Exactly -what did you mean by "extend the OLAP cube"? I ask
this because I read somewhere that unlike resource and project level codes,
tasks codes do not populate to the OLAP cube.

--
Thanks much!
Randy

Randy --

I believe you could use SQL Server Reporting Services of Crystal Reports for
this purpose, or you could extend the OLAP cube as well. Hope this helps.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Randy --

You are correct that enterprise Task outline codes do not appear in the OLAP
Cube. For information about extending the OLAP cube, refer to Bob Segrest's
excellent white paper on this subject at the following URL:

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/Downloads/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Hope this helps.

Thanks Dale - Exactly -what did you mean by "extend the OLAP cube"? I
ask
this because I read somewhere that unlike resource and project level
codes,
tasks codes do not populate to the OLAP cube.

 

[tonyzink]

Hi Randy --

Of the two methods that I described, my preferred method would be to
implement the macro in Project Pro which automatically copies task code
values into resource codes before every save, thus making them
available in the Portfolio Analyzer / OLAP for reporting. You could
then build PWA Portfolio Analyzer views and export them to Excel,
connect to the OLAP cube directly with Excel to extract the data, or
connect to the OLAP database tables directly for an automated solution
(be careful!).

Here are the basic steps required to make the task codes available in
the OLAP cube for reporting (using the macro copying method):

1. Create an Enterprise Task Outline Code for assigning codes to tasks
in the project schedule
2. Create a corresponding Enterprise Resource Outline Code which will
receive the copied code values from the Enterprise Task Outline Code,
sharing the Enterprise Task Outline Code's structure and lookup table
3. Build a macro which loops through each assignment in the project
schedule, copying the value of the Enterprise Task Outline Code (step
1, above) into the Enterprise Resource Outline Code (step 2, above)
4. Configure the macro to run automatically every time the project
schedule is saved

If you're comfortable creating Enterprise Task and Resource Outline
Codes, as well as writing macros in Project Pro, then this should be
enough to get you started. If you'd like more help or details, please
contact me directly via any of the URLs in my signature below.

Good luck!

Tony Zink
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[Carl Dalton]

concur with Tony, have used this to great (!) success.
word of warning though. dont overload the amount of fields you want to
be transposed into Assignment OLAP codes. the more cleverness built
in, the more processing/calcs on file/close your causing, thus there
may be some lag on file closedown.

not a favoured user experience!

Carl