How do I put in alternative tasks in Project?

[Pat Bradford]

For example, let's same I'm making a buy or build decision. After performing
a task to evaluate the alternatives, if the decision is to buy a product,
then I would execute the tasks associated with that. If the decision is to
build, then I have a whole other set of tasks that need to be accomplished.
How do I reflect that decision point and its consequences in the task list?

 

[John]

For example, let's same I'm making a buy or build decision. After performing
a task to evaluate the alternatives, if the decision is to buy a product,
then I would execute the tasks associated with that. If the decision is to
build, then I have a whole other set of tasks that need to be accomplished.
How do I reflect that decision point and its consequences in the task list?

Pat,
Well, the simple answer is, you develop the follow-on path after the
decision is made. You can show both paths at the onset but you will have
to make the link to the chosen path once the decision is made - there is
no magic schedule algorithm in Project that can do that for you.

John
Project MVP

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Conditional scheduling is not supported by Microsoft Project.
You can develop one plan with both choices, or one plan for each of the
choices or perhaps a master plan with the common tasks and insert
subprojects with the dependent tasks (dependent on the decision).

You could also use a spare field (text1 for example) so that you could
identify the two different possible paths and then filter or group by that
field.

-Jack Dahlgren

 

[Pat Bradford]

Thanks, John. Not the answer I had hoped for, but I understand. What I was
trying to do was to incorporate both paths into a single sheet so I could
make direct comparisons of duration and cost. Be that as it may, thanks
anyway.

/s/
Pat

 

[Pat Bradford]

Thanks Jack. I was hoping to include everything on one page so I could make
direct comparison of duration and cost, but it looks like I may have to do it
the old fashioned way. Thanks anyway.

/s/
Pat

 

[John]

Thanks, John. Not the answer I had hoped for, but I understand. What I was
trying to do was to incorporate both paths into a single sheet so I could
make direct comparisons of duration and cost. Be that as it may, thanks
anyway.

/s/
Pat

Pat,
First of all, you're welcome and thanks for the feedback.

You CAN put both paths in the plan for a comparison but as I said, you
will have to make the link to direct the schedule logic to the chosen
path.

John
Project MVP