How do I assign a specific value to a task - not resource driven.

[Grifbuddy]

We are installing about 20,000 new phones in multiple buildings. We're using
Project to track the various work steps (e.g. percent complete at this
building) at each building. However, we are not using Project to assign
resources. Is there a way to show overall project progress if I know I am
30% at this building that has 100 phones and 40% at that building that has
300 phones, etc. ??

 

[Rob Schneider]

We are installing about 20,000 new phones in multiple buildings. We're using
Project to track the various work steps (e.g. percent complete at this
building) at each building. However, we are not using Project to assign
resources. Is there a way to show overall project progress if I know I am
30% at this building that has 100 phones and 40% at that building that has
300 phones, etc. ??

You say you are using Project to track the work steps. Doesn't that
show % complete? And if you show the overall progress summary bar (Menu:
Tools/Options, Tab: View, check "on" Show Project Summary Task.

Or are you asking how to setup to model the project and track progress
of 20,000 phones?

 

[Jim Aksel]

(Phones Physically Installed in this Building)/(Total Phones to be Installed
in this Building) * 100 .... Correct?.

This is not ordinary %Complete as understood by project. Project interprets
%Complete based on duration. If you want to do it that way, please read up
on Physical%Complete in the help. I have a paper on it, but it is not online
just now.

Here is one way to do it using ordinary %Complete.
First, list all the tasks and establish a baseline (Tools/Tracking/Save
Baseline...) This will memorialize your dates and duration.

When you start a task, enter the "Actual Start Date" which can be done from
the Tracking Gantt and Tracking Toolbar (Both available on the View menu) in
the "Actual Start" column (add it if needed, along with Actual Finish,
Remaining Duration) at the end of each day, you need to re-estimate the
remaining duration of the tasks.

So if you estimated 7 days to install 2000 phones in the ABC building, you
need to ask yourself "Based on the number of phones I installed today in the
ABC building (including the total number of phones I have already installed
in this building), how many more days to I need to complete the 2000 phone
install? Place this value in remaining duration. Let %Complete land where
it may. That is probably the better way.

If you want to do it by saying "I have installed 577 or 2000 phones so I am
577/2000*100=29% complete, please post back and more information can be
provided.


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Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com