How do you sunset a task instead of removing it from the MPP?

[MPPer]

I need to "zero-out" a task instead of removing it. How would that be done?

 

[Rob Schneider]

I need to "zero-out" a task instead of removing it. How would that be done?

What do you mean "zero-out"? out from what? and what is supposed to be
zero?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

MPPer --

From your question, I assume that you are referring to tasks that have no
Actual Work entered against them, and that you can to cancel the tasks
because they are no longer needed in the project. Assuming this to be the
case, I prefer to use a method such as the following:

1. Open the project in question.
2. Apply the Gantt Chart view.
3. Click View - Table - Work.
4. Set the Remaining Work to 0 hours for the task you want to cancel.
5. Double-click the task and then click the Notes tab.
6. Add a Note documenting the reason for cancelling the task, and then
click the OK button.

In the above set of steps, setting the Remaining Work to 0h will change the
Duration to 0d, which will cause the software to display the Gantt bar for
the task as a Milestone symbo (black diamond). So, I prefer to continue the
steps by doing the following as well:

7. Double-click the Milestone symbol for the cancelled task.
8. In the Format Bar dialog, click the Shape pick list in the Start section
and choose a different symbol to represent cancelled tasks.
9. Click the OK button.

When you begin using custom symbols to represent cancelled tasks, you will
need to communicate the meaning of this symbol to all parties interested in
your project. Just a thought. Perhaps the others will have ideas for you
as well.

 

[Dave]

I need to "zero-out" a task instead of removing it. How would that be done?

Set the remaining work, actual work and duration to zero. The baseline
(if created) will show the effect the task previously had on the plan.

 

[Paul Billings]

MPPer --

From your question, I assume that you are referring to tasks that have no
Actual Work entered against them, and that you can to cancel the tasks
because they are no longer needed in the project.  Assuming this to be the
case, I prefer to use a method such as the following:

1.  Open the project in question.
2.  Apply the Gantt Chart view.
3.  Click View - Table - Work.
4.  Set the Remaining Work to 0 hours for the task you want to cancel.
5.  Double-click the task and then click the Notes tab.
6.  Add a Note documenting the reason for cancelling the task, and then
click the OK button.

In the above set of steps, setting the Remaining Work to 0h will change the
Duration to 0d, which will cause the software to display the Gantt bar for
the task as a Milestone symbo (black diamond).  So, I prefer to continue the
steps by doing the following as well:

7.  Double-click the Milestone symbol for the cancelled task.
8.  In the Format Bar dialog, click the Shape pick list in the Start section
and choose a different symbol to represent cancelled tasks.
9.  Click the OK button.

When you begin using custom symbols to represent cancelled tasks, you will
need to communicate the meaning of this symbol to all parties interested in
your project.  Just a thought.  Perhaps the others will have ideas for you
as well.

Any suggestions for the case when there are actual hours? E.g., a
partially implemented feature was cut (scope adjustment). Is it
common to rebaseline those tasks to avoid the somewhat intentional EV
variances?

Paul

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Paul --

Use steps #1-6 only. It would be important to add the Note to document the
reason for the scope reduction. I wouldn't necessary rebaseline the
task(s), however. You might want to ask some of our EVA gurus for their
opinion on that one. Hope this helps.

MPPer --

From your question, I assume that you are referring to tasks that have no
Actual Work entered against them, and that you can to cancel the tasks
because they are no longer needed in the project. Assuming this to be the
case, I prefer to use a method such as the following:

1. Open the project in question.
2. Apply the Gantt Chart view.
3. Click View - Table - Work.
4. Set the Remaining Work to 0 hours for the task you want to cancel.
5. Double-click the task and then click the Notes tab.
6. Add a Note documenting the reason for cancelling the task, and then
click the OK button.

In the above set of steps, setting the Remaining Work to 0h will change
the
Duration to 0d, which will cause the software to display the Gantt bar for
the task as a Milestone symbo (black diamond). So, I prefer to continue
the
steps by doing the following as well:

7. Double-click the Milestone symbol for the cancelled task.
8. In the Format Bar dialog, click the Shape pick list in the Start
section
and choose a different symbol to represent cancelled tasks.
9. Click the OK button.

When you begin using custom symbols to represent cancelled tasks, you will
need to communicate the meaning of this symbol to all parties interested
in
your project. Just a thought. Perhaps the others will have ideas for you
as well.

Any suggestions for the case when there are actual hours? E.g., a
partially implemented feature was cut (scope adjustment). Is it
common to rebaseline those tasks to avoid the somewhat intentional EV
variances?

Paul