How do I start task A before tasks B & C

[Julian Griffin]

Task dependences cause a successor to start after all the predecessors.
e.g.
Task Date
...A.. 01/01
...B.. 02/02
If “Task C†is a successor to A & B,
Then “Task C†will start on 02/02

By default a task dependant of other tasks starts only when all the other
tasks have started. That is to say that the dependant task will start
chronologically after all the other tasks.

So my question is how do I make a task start chronologically before a list
of other tasks?

How do I make “Task D†start on 01/01,
If “Task D†is also dependant on A & B.

Thanks.

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Julian,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Make Task D a Finish to Start (FS) precedence with a lag of -1d. The best
way to enter this is by using a split screen (Window/Split). With Task D
selected, in the bottom pane on the right in the Predecessor column, enter A
with a lag of -1, then B and -1 then click OK. That should do what you want.

You might like to have a look at my series on Microsoft Project in the
TechTrax ezine, at this site: http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc or this:
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMFrame.asp?CMD=ArticleSearch&AUTH=23
(Perhaps you'd care to rate the articles before leaving the site,
Thanks.)

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

Not necessarily - task dependencies means the predecssor task *controls*
EITHER the start OR the finish of the successor task. It can be FS, SS, FF,
or SF. If task D is dependent on both tasks A and B it cannot start until
BOTH A and B allow it to and it will start on the earliest date when BOTH
permissions allow it. So what are the conditions that establish that
control?

--
Steve House [MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

 

[Julian Griffin]

Thank you both for your replies.
This condition occurs if:
Tasks B & C start on a specific date but are independent and could occur in
any order.

For example: if two customers are to use a peace of software on specific
dates. The dates can change independently of one another and can occur in any
order. If I wish to track a milestone of the date at which the software must
be issued. I can achieve this if I set a milestone to occur automatically
before both dates. I cannot therefore make tasks B & C dependant on task A, I
must make task A dependant on tasks B & C.

Or is there another way?

Thanks

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

You must make B and C dependant on A (FS), and set A's constraint to As Late
As Possible.
HTH

 

[Julian Griffin]

Thank you for your response Jan De Messemaeker.

I have now tried all 32 possible combinations of:
ASAP - ALAP
“B†, “C†- “B†, “Câ€
SS , SS - SS , SS
SF , SS - SF , SS
FS , SS - FS , SS
FF , SS - FF , SS

SS , SF - SS , SF
SF , SF - SF , SF
FS , SF - FS , SF
FF , SF - FF , SF

SS , FS - SS , FS
SF , FS - SF , FS
FS , FS - FS , FS
FF , FS - FF , FS

SS , FF - SS , FF
SF , FF - SF , FF
FS , FF - FS , FF
FF , FF - FF , FF

On all occasions for ASAP “A†is positioned either between “B†& “Câ€
or after “B†& “Câ€.
On all occasions for ALAP “A†is positioned at the very end of the project.

Where as what I am trying to achieve to “A†to be positioned before “B†&
“C†regardless of the order of “B†& “Câ€, and if they move, for “A†to move
as automatically.

Thank you all for your suggestions so far, Julian Griffin.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

(Quote) On all occasions for ALAP "A" is positioned at the very end of the
project.

Not true if you do what I suggest:

(Quote myself) You must make B and C dependant on A (FS), and set A's
constraint to As Late
Sop links A to B and A to C not the reverse.
HTH