Formula's

[Renate]

Hi, new here, I've been reviewing the questions and answers regarding
formula...my question, and sorry if it's already been posted before, does
someone have a formula I can use (I'm not an IT person) to show the variance
between actual and baseline, including summary tasks. I need to show how far
behind the original schedule people are falling behind (sorry but I'm only
doing durations, no resource costs are included - that's on another program
and a whole other story) so I don't think the SPI etc. would work for me. I
have made a new view and am using the duration 1 column renamed to slipping
with the graphical indicators or RAG, but, alas, my formula's don't seem to
work, or maybe I need some additional columns? ( I made my view using the
projectexperts paper that was talked about in older posts) I know it's a
pretty basic schedule format, but I'm working on having the powers that be
upgrade to the server and then I can start rocking and show them what project
and really do! Thanks in advance

 

[JulieS]

Hi Renate,

There already exist several fields calculated by Project that will help you
out. To see the difference between baseline start and actual or scheduled
start look at Start Variance. The Finish Variance field shows the difference
between baseline finish and actual or scheduled finish. Differences in
duration show in the duration variance field.

I don't have project available currently, but I believe start and finish
variance show in the variance table. Work variance shows in the Work table.

Once you determine what differences you wish to focus on, next figure out
what specific criteria you want to use for the RAG status (for example: 3
days finish variance is red, 2 days finish variance is yellow, etc.). You
can then set the appropriate graphic indicators with the references.

Give us some additonal information and we'll see if we can get a bit more
specific in details.

I hope this helps.

Julie

 

[Renate]

Thanks, that's helping, I've inserted the columns in a view for
reference....I want to track how late they are actually and compaired to the
baseline and will be concentrating on the finish date since if they are late
in their estimate, the whole project will be (I schedule construction
projects from estimate to completion) and since there are typically 3
designers working on one project at any given time, they want to see who's
holding up the project, therefore the baseline...I think I'm doing/asking
this right...just a simple indicator so I can than go to the person in
question and light a fire under them. Also to show, for future reference,
that if someone is always late in providing information.....well than that's
a matter for their boss to take charge of......also can the indicator been
shown in the summary task? Thanks again! You were helpful the first go
around...

 

[JulieS]

Hi R. Scanlon,

Okay, so it sounds as though you wish to focus on finish variance --
the difference between the baseline finish and the scheduled or
actual finish. To show a RAG graphic, insert a spare Duration field
in the table. Choose Tools > Customize Fields to show the Customize
dialog box. Select the Duration field you entered and click the
Formula button. The formula should be:
[Finish Variance]. In the section "Calculation for group or summary
row" select the option "Use Formula so it will also calculate finish
variance on the summary rows.

This will duplicate the values you see in the Finish Variance field.

Then click the Graphical indicators to begin to create the test and
values and select the graphic.
In the Graphical Indicators dialog you can select whether to show
the same criteria for the summary rows or to use different criteria.

Again, you'll need to work out what your levels and desired graphics
are.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

 

[Renate]

Thanks Julie...this seems to do the trick...I'll be back with other questions
I'm sure! Much appreciated..
--
R. Scanlon

Hi R. Scanlon,

Okay, so it sounds as though you wish to focus on finish variance --
the difference between the baseline finish and the scheduled or
actual finish. To show a RAG graphic, insert a spare Duration field
in the table. Choose Tools > Customize Fields to show the Customize
dialog box. Select the Duration field you entered and click the
Formula button. The formula should be:
[Finish Variance]. In the section "Calculation for group or summary
row" select the option "Use Formula so it will also calculate finish
variance on the summary rows.

This will duplicate the values you see in the Finish Variance field.

Then click the Graphical indicators to begin to create the test and
values and select the graphic.
In the Graphical Indicators dialog you can select whether to show
the same criteria for the summary rows or to use different criteria.

Again, you'll need to work out what your levels and desired graphics
are.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

 

[JulieS]

You're welcome. Glad to have helped and thanks for the feedback.
Julie

Thanks Julie...this seems to do the trick...I'll be back with
other questions
I'm sure! Much appreciated..
--
R. Scanlon

Hi R. Scanlon,

Okay, so it sounds as though you wish to focus on finish
variance --
the difference between the baseline finish and the scheduled or
actual finish. To show a RAG graphic, insert a spare Duration
field
in the table. Choose Tools > Customize Fields to show the
Customize
dialog box. Select the Duration field you entered and click the
Formula button. The formula should be:
[Finish Variance]. In the section "Calculation for group or
summary
row" select the option "Use Formula so it will also calculate
finish
variance on the summary rows.

This will duplicate the values you see in the Finish Variance
field.

Then click the Graphical indicators to begin to create the test
and
values and select the graphic.
In the Graphical Indicators dialog you can select whether to show
the same criteria for the summary rows or to use different
criteria.

Again, you'll need to work out what your levels and desired
graphics
are.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

Thanks, that's helping, I've inserted the columns in a view for
reference....I want to track how late they are actually and
compaired to the
baseline and will be concentrating on the finish date since if
they are late
in their estimate, the whole project will be (I schedule
construction
projects from estimate to completion) and since there are
typically 3
designers working on one project at any given time, they want
to
see who's
holding up the project, therefore the baseline...I think I'm
doing/asking
this right...just a simple indicator so I can than go to the
person in
question and light a fire under them. Also to show, for future
reference,
that if someone is always late in providing
information.....well
than that's
a matter for their boss to take charge of......also can the
indicator been
shown in the summary task? Thanks again! You were helpful the
first go
around...
--
R. Scanlon


:

Hi Renate,

There already exist several fields calculated by Project that
will help you
out. To see the difference between baseline start and actual
or
scheduled
start look at Start Variance. The Finish Variance field shows
the difference
between baseline finish and actual or scheduled finish.
Differences in
duration show in the duration variance field.

I don't have project available currently, but I believe start
and
finish
variance show in the variance table. Work variance shows in
the
Work table.

Once you determine what differences you wish to focus on, next
figure out
what specific criteria you want to use for the RAG status (for
example: 3
days finish variance is red, 2 days finish variance is yellow,
etc.). You
can then set the appropriate graphic indicators with the
references.

Give us some additonal information and we'll see if we can get
a
bit more
specific in details.

I hope this helps.

Julie

:

Hi, new here, I've been reviewing the questions and answers
regarding
formula...my question, and sorry if it's already been posted
before, does
someone have a formula I can use (I'm not an IT person) to
show
the variance
between actual and baseline, including summary tasks. I
need
to show how far
behind the original schedule people are falling behind
(sorry
but I'm only
doing durations, no resource costs are included - that's on
another program
and a whole other story) so I don't think the SPI etc. would
work for me. I
have made a new view and am using the duration 1 column
renamed
to slipping
with the graphical indicators or RAG, but, alas, my
formula's
don't seem to
work, or maybe I need some additional columns? ( I made my
view using the
projectexperts paper that was talked about in older posts) I
know it's a
pretty basic schedule format, but I'm working on having the
powers that be
upgrade to the server and then I can start rocking and show
them what project
and really do! Thanks in advance