How to add custom fields to project gantt chart

[Giuseppe Virzì]

Hi all,
I've been using MS Project Server 2003 for some time now
I had a long list of custom field filled with all sort of resources and
tasks. Now i've changed to MSPS 2007 and i'm having all sorto
of problems in adding custom fields to my project.
I have created all the lookup tables that i needed, as in
MSPS 2003, and added the custom fields in order to point the
actual values in the lookup tables, but now i cannot find a
way to add the actual custom field to the project.
I've been reading this newsgroup for several days now, but
even if lots of the messages where similar to my problem,
I stll cannot find a solution for my problem.

I don't even know if I'm putting my fields in the right table

Basically my issue is about how to set up, view, use and
modify custom fields and lookup tables, maybe is too much
I'm asking but I have finished my options and all the messages
in the newsgroup

Thanks in advance

Giuseppe

--

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Giuseppe:

First you build your value lists
Then you create your custom fields

During the second step you must choose whether the field applies to tasks,
resources or projects as well as set other parameters for the field and its
behavior

Once you finish creating your custom fields, you must first close Project if
you have it open, then restart the application to pick up the new fields in
the Enterprise Global, and then you can start using them through the Project
client with projects, tasks and resources as per their field type. (This is
the same behavior as 2003) After you apply custom field values to project
artifacts, the values get pushed to PWA when you publish either from PWA or
Project. It is at this point that the values become visible in PWA.

It's very important to note a slight exception to the above: When you create
a field that uses graphical indicators or formulas, you **must** open
Project and use them in a publish action from the Project client before they
will function and display properly in PWA. The publish action available
through PWA does not cause the project to recalculate. Only the client
causes recalculation which is a requisite to formulas and graphical
indicators lighting up in the custom fields.


--


Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com
For Project Server Books: http://www.projectserverbooks.com
For Project Server Training: http://www.projectservertraining.com
For Project FAQS: http://www.mvps.org/project

 

[Giuseppe Virzì]

Thanks gary for your reply, but it just does not work

I've just tried a simple one, I logged into Project Professional 2007
and opened up the Enterprise Global...then I went to Resources in order
to add some values and then saved the Enterprise Global model, closed
and restarted Project Professional, opened Enterprise Global once
again, and all the resources I just entered were gone...

Now I'm going to make an image of the server's HD and try to install
the whole system again...this software is just not working, I've spent
two month to make the 2003 work and now I'm probably going for the same
path with this 2007 release...really disappointing

Giuseppe:

First you build your value lists
Then you create your custom fields

During the second step you must choose whether the field applies to
tasks, resources or projects as well as set other parameters for the
field and its behavior

Once you finish creating your custom fields, you must first close
Project if you have it open, then restart the application to pick up
the new fields in the Enterprise Global, and then you can start using
them through the Project client with projects, tasks and resources as
per their field type. (This is the same behavior as 2003) After you
apply custom field values to project artifacts, the values get pushed
to PWA when you publish either from PWA or Project. It is at this
point that the values become visible in PWA.

It's very important to note a slight exception to the above: When you
create a field that uses graphical indicators or formulas, you must
open Project and use them in a publish action from the Project client
before they will function and display properly in PWA. The publish
action available through PWA does not cause the project to
recalculate. Only the client causes recalculation which is a
requisite to formulas and graphical indicators lighting up in the
custom fields.

--

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Giuseppe:

In 2007, Enterprise fields are managed through the PWA interface, not
through the Project client and the Enterprise Global. Could that be the root
of your problem?

--


Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com
For Project Server Books: http://www.projectserverbooks.com
For Project Server Training: http://www.projectservertraining.com
For Project FAQS: http://www.mvps.org/project