Extending OLAP to include Task Name and Task Custom Fields

[Sara - EPM]

Hello,

I am trying to extend my OLAP cube to include task level fields.

I tried to follow the directions from the site below, but was unsuccessful.
Are there any other documentation for extending the cube? Specifically, I
need to see the task name in the Analyzer views and I need to see sort by
Enterprise TextXX fields.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Sara

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d.../pjsdkCubesExtensibilityModels_HV01096299.asp

 

[Bob Segrest]

Hi Sara,

The OLAP extension samples provided will work. I have deployed the Task
Earned Value example with a couple of clients. It is worth noting that some
additional work is required to make this example suitable for real word
deployment.

There are a couple of detail steps in the example documentation that are
easily overlooked. It is also a lot easier to make work if you install all of
the tools on a Windows Server system for development. If you are having a
specific problem implementing the sample extensions, tell us more about it and
we may be able to provide some guidance.

I have spent a lot of time looking and have not been able to find sample code
for adding OLAP dimensions for the Enterprise Text fields. If you find an
example, please do pass along a pointer.

I have been working on a utility that will extend the cube for Enterprise Text
fields, but am having a lot of difficulty finding someone who can help me
with the last couple of programming steps on the OLAP side with DSO. I would
be happy to collaborate with anyone who knows DSO...

Bob

Bob Segrest, PMP
BSegE LLC
(540) 937-5875
http://www.BSegE.com

 

[Bob]

Bob,
I have tried the OLAP extension sample for the Task Earned Values example.
All went well until I tried to use the view I created in Portfolio Analyzer.
It won't remember the connection to the MSP_TASK_EARNED_VALUES cube within
the PROJECT_CUBE and the view is blank. I can walk through the connection
with the chart wizard and build it again but it just won't save it. I assume
this is one of the small details that are easily missed. I'll keep digging
but if you know off hand what I missed, I'd appreciate a pointer.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Bob Segrest]

Hello Sara,

Ah, you seem to have discovered the fly in the ointment...

The reason for the symptom you are seeing is really rather simple. Microsoft
appears to delete and rebuild the OLAP tables each time they update the cube
and as you observed, you end up with an updated, but disconnected Earned
Value Fact table.

There are two basic approaches to making this work.

You can develop code using DSO to duplicate the undocumented "magic" performed
by the analysis manager wizard. Some of this can be figured out with some
effort, but there just isn't enough documentation and no telephone support.

Another approach is to set things up manually as you are doing now, and then
use the Metadata Scripter to create a VB script for the portfolio analyzer
cube. Then figure out a way to delete the portfolio analyzer cube and rn the
VB script to rebuild it after the project server finishes its task. Its messy
and a bit of a hack, but without proper support it may be the only way to get
there.

If you want to pursue this challange further, please contact me via telephone
or email.

I would like to say for the record that I have been a MSDN Universal
subscriber for more than 6 years and on the whole I have received excellent
support from Microsoft's telephone support teams over the years. If a
consultant does their homework before calling, Microsoft provides good support
for product problems. But they really are not in general staffed to support
developers. This is particularly the case with the Microsoft Project Server
and Microsoft Analysis Services products.




Bob Segrest, PMP
BSegE LLC
(540) 937-5875
http://www.BSegE.com