How to move or backup consolidated projects?

[Zone99]

I'm using MS Project 2007 and I had started outlining a project and realized
that it was going to get cumbersome to track all data.

I asked someone else to create a seperate project (Regression) and then
linked it into my project (Master QA) plan.

This worked and I was able to link between the two projects and keep things
relatively straight.

However, we had a new server added and they moved the directory I kept the
files in to the new server.

About two weeks later, I noticed that the 'Master QA' plan file was being
updated. The 'Regression' plan was not.

It turns out that the 'Master QA' plan would open fine but would be
referencing the OLD location.

I need to make backups and snapshots of these projects but I can't seem to
find a way to do it? If I copy them, then link doesn't change and points to
the old location. If I open and 'Save as...' the link either doesn't change
or I get TWO links, one to the old and one to the new location.

How do you create snapshots of consolidated projects?

Thanks.

 

[John]

I'm using MS Project 2007 and I had started outlining a project and realized
that it was going to get cumbersome to track all data.

I asked someone else to create a seperate project (Regression) and then
linked it into my project (Master QA) plan.

This worked and I was able to link between the two projects and keep things
relatively straight.

However, we had a new server added and they moved the directory I kept the
files in to the new server.

About two weeks later, I noticed that the 'Master QA' plan file was being
updated. The 'Regression' plan was not.

It turns out that the 'Master QA' plan would open fine but would be
referencing the OLD location.

I need to make backups and snapshots of these projects but I can't seem to
find a way to do it? If I copy them, then link doesn't change and points to
the old location. If I open and 'Save as...' the link either doesn't change
or I get TWO links, one to the old and one to the new location.

How do you create snapshots of consolidated projects?

Thanks.

Zone99,
If all the linked files were in a single directory, they should have
transferred without a problem. However, "should have" is sometimes
different from what really happens. If you now have duplicate links it
sounds like all the files weren't successfully transferred and/or one or
more files still resides on the old server. You might just want to start
fresh by unlinking the files (see the second method in the next
paragraph) and then rebuild the master.

If the files only are linked, (i.e. master and subprojects with no
external predecessors/successors between files), you can simply create a
static master. There are two ways to do that. One is to build a new
master (Insert/Project) and uncheck the "link to project" box in the
lower right corner of the Insert Project window. The second method is to
select the insertion point summary line(s) of the subproject in the
master and then go to Project/Task Information/Advanced tab. Uncheck the
"link to project" box and hit "ok".

If your files also have external predecessors/successors between
subprojects, then you will need VBA to create a snapshot and preserve
the task-to-task links. If you have this structure, post back because I
have a VBA macro that does this, but it's not freeware.

John
Project MVP

 

[Zone99]

Inline...

Zone99,
If all the linked files were in a single directory, they should have
transferred without a problem. However, "should have" is sometimes
different from what really happens. If you now have duplicate links it
sounds like all the files weren't successfully transferred and/or one or
more files still resides on the old server. You might just want to start
fresh by unlinking the files (see the second method in the next
paragraph) and then rebuild the master.

If the files only are linked, (i.e. master and subprojects with no
external predecessors/successors between files), you can simply create a
static master. There are two ways to do that. One is to build a new

John,

Just to make sure I understand this, you mean that if my project is simply
two projects in the same file, then fine, create a static master. However,
if my master projects links to predecessors and successors between files,
then I can't create a static master, correct?

master (Insert/Project) and uncheck the "link to project" box in the
lower right corner of the Insert Project window. The second method is to
select the insertion point summary line(s) of the subproject in the
master and then go to Project/Task Information/Advanced tab. Uncheck the
"link to project" box and hit "ok".

If your files also have external predecessors/successors between
subprojects, then you will need VBA to create a snapshot and preserve
the task-to-task links. If you have this structure, post back because I
have a VBA macro that does this, but it's not freeware.

That's the structure I have. Bummer.

- Rick

 

[John]

Inline...



John,

Just to make sure I understand this, you mean that if my project is simply
two projects in the same file, then fine, create a static master. However,
if my master projects links to predecessors and successors between files,
then I can't create a static master, correct?


That's the structure I have. Bummer.

- Rick

Rick,
No, you can still create a static master but, the external
predecessors/successors will not translate (i.e. they will simply
disconnect and no longer exist). To convert those external predecessors
and successors to normal predecessors and successors in the new static
file you will, as I said before, need a VBA macro.

John
Project MVP