How do I keep WBS numbers from restarting when I insert a subproje

[Mg]

When I insert a subproject, I would like it to behave as a summary task and
subtasks. For example, if this new subproject is WBS number 2 in the master
project, then everything under that subproject would be 2.xxx. Instead, the
WBS numbers restart from 1 with every subproject I insert. In addition the
line numbers (column furthest to the left in Gantt view) restart as well. As
a result, I no longer have a unique line number or WBS number for each task
in the master project. My master project has 10 subprojects, so this all
makes it very difficult to refer to individual tasks in meetings or any
communications. Please help!

 

[John]

When I insert a subproject, I would like it to behave as a summary task and
subtasks. For example, if this new subproject is WBS number 2 in the master
project, then everything under that subproject would be 2.xxx. Instead, the
WBS numbers restart from 1 with every subproject I insert. In addition the
line numbers (column furthest to the left in Gantt view) restart as well. As
a result, I no longer have a unique line number or WBS number for each task
in the master project. My master project has 10 subprojects, so this all
makes it very difficult to refer to individual tasks in meetings or any
communications. Please help!

Mg,
A normal dynamically consolidated master project (master with inserted
subprojects) is NOT a composite file. In other words, the subproject are
NOT part of the master. Rather the master simply contains pointers to
the individual separate subprojects. Only the insertion point summary
line is part of the master.

With that information, there are various approaches. First, you could
create a statically consolidated master. To do that, uncheck the "link
to project" box in the lower right corner of the Insert Project window
when you create the master. This WILL create a single file with the
contents of each subproject being part of the master. However, the
subprojects will no longer be linked (i.e. changing information in the
master will not update that information in the subproject and vice
versa).

Another approach is to use the Unique ID field in the master to keep
track of each master and subproject task. Spare fields can be used to
create faux WBS fields and any other field you want to be contiguous in
the master.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[Mg]

Thanks, John. Now I understand what's going on. I'll try one of the
work-arounds you suggested.

 

[John]

Thanks, John. Now I understand what's going on. I'll try one of the
work-arounds you suggested.

Mg,
You're welcome. If those suggestions don't work or you need additional
help, please post again.

John
Project MVP