Incorect summary

[Per-Ove Andersson]

Hi

I'm using MS Project 2000. Throughout the years I've been trying to
get accustomed to Project by I find my self going back to Excel over
and over again.

My way of working is a typical top-down approach. Before I start
thinking about duration and assignment I add high-level tasks and make
an initial estimate of working hours required (work time). Then as I
continue analyzing the situation in greater detail, I break down
high-level tasks into smaller details with better estimates.

Then I start laying out the pieces to create a time plan. Now I want
to assign and specify "Duration" of tasks.

When I break down a high-level task ("Fix problem", 40 hours) into a
number of low-level tasks ("Fix part A", 20 hours;"Fix part B", 20
hours) the following happens. "Fix problem" becomes a summary activity
but somehow keeps the initial estimates of work hours and duration. It
now displays a summary of work hours that is 20 + 20 + 40 which is
wrong! It should be only 20 + 20. Same thing with duration. What is
wrong?


Things just doesn't support my approach. Tutorials and help files are
too detailed and advanced to help me with my situation.

Greatful for any help.

Regards

Per-Ove Andersson

 

[Gérard Ducouret]

Hello Per-ove,
You just have to delete the first assignment of work hours made at the
summary level. And/Or to Remove the ressource on that activity which is now
a summary.

Gérard Ducouret

 

[Steve House]

You are sort've doing it right and sort of doing it wrong. Top-down
decomposition of broad summary task into greater and greater detail until
you get to appropriate work packages is a very viable approach. BUT, the
estimates for duration and labour hours should be bottom up, not top down.
So hold off and don't estimate the duration of those phases and especially
do NOT under any circumstances assign resources to the summaries.