Linking tasks from separate projects using MS Project 2000

[Branden]

I am relatively new to Project, and I have only a basic knowledge of the software's capabilities. I have been reading many different threads on linking tasks in order to find a solution to my issue. What I am searching for is an understandable, easy-to-follow, and user-friendly method to link tasks from separate projects using MS Project 2000. I have done the cut and past method, but as we all know, that only puts a band aid on the problem by giving us a temporary snapshot of the situation. I also tried hyperlinking the tasks, but that was a failed effort for me. What I need is a good step-by-step method to link Task-B in Project-2 to Task-A in Project-1 (or to just Project-1 alone). After this link has been created, Project-1 should change according to the modifications made to Task-B in Project-2. Now, can anybody tell me if this links are only one-way, or are they two-way? That is, if I modify Task-B, Project-1 will change accordingly. However, if I modify Project-1, will Project-2 also change accordingly? Finally, do the separate projects have to be in the same folder, or can the file paths be edited

Thank you for your help!

 

[Gérard Ducouret]

Hello Branden,



The 2 mpp files don't need to be in the same folder. But when the link will
be created, don't move the files in some other folders...

The 2 mpp files must be opened : File Open...

Create a new window : from any project file : Window/ New window.../ select
the 2 files.

In the new window, select the predecessor : may be Task-B in Project-2.

Press the Ctrl key so you are able to make a multiple selection.

Select the successor : may be Task-A in Project-1.

Release the Ctrl key

Click the Link Task button (small chain in the tool bar)

Save the 2 mpp files.

You can close the temporary window.



Hope this helps,



Gérard Ducouret

I am relatively new to Project, and I have only a basic knowledge of the

software's capabilities. I have been reading many different threads on
linking tasks in order to find a solution to my issue. What I am searching
for is an understandable, easy-to-follow, and user-friendly method to link
tasks from separate projects using MS Project 2000. I have done the cut and
past method, but as we all know, that only puts a band aid on the problem by
giving us a temporary snapshot of the situation. I also tried hyperlinking
the tasks, but that was a failed effort for me. What I need is a good
step-by-step method to link Task-B in Project-2 to Task-A in Project-1 (or
to just Project-1 alone). After this link has been created, Project-1
should change according to the modifications made to Task-B in Project-2.
Now, can anybody tell me if this links are only one-way, or are they
two-way? That is, if I modify Task-B, Project-1 will change accordingly.
However, if I modify Project-1, will Project-2 also change accordingly?
Finally, do the separate projects have to be in the same folder, or can the
file paths be edited?

 

[Branden]

Gerard

Thank you for your information. I was able to open 2 of my sample projects and follow the steps that you had written. I successfully created a link between the predecessor (Task-B in Project-2) and the successor (Task-A in Project-1). However, the link seems to have locked the tasks. They are now un-editable. I cannot edit the predecessor task to see the changes in the other project. Can you please advise as to what could be the issue

Thank you

Branden

 

[Mike]

I am doing something similar and encountering other problems that I expect also relate to this issue of linking separate taks or projects. I created a master project M, then linked into it projects A and B. The master has the resource pool and I set A and B to share resources. There is one task link between A and B. Settings are Fixed Duration for all tasks. Effort driven and autolink tasks are turned off. The project start date is 3/8/04, no start or finish dates have been entered by hand. The problem is that all tasks are calculated as critical. Showing Early Start, Early Finish, Late Start and Late Finish displays that some tasks have a LS in January others LF in February (months outside the project schedule). I am unable to determine why all the tasks are critical. Tasks are linked within A and B and only one link is made betwen A and B. Some resources are shared between A and B. Anyone encounter similar critical path issues

----- Branden wrote: ----

Gerard

Thank you for your information. I was able to open 2 of my sample projects and follow the steps that you had written. I successfully created a link between the predecessor (Task-B in Project-2) and the successor (Task-A in Project-1). However, the link seems to have locked the tasks. They are now un-editable. I cannot edit the predecessor task to see the changes in the other project. Can you please advise as to what could be the issue

Thank you

Branden

 

[Gérard Ducouret]

Branden,

Uneditable ? It works fine for me (version 2002 as well as all the previous
versions)
Now, you must have in the Predecessor colum, a link which looks like :

C:\Documents and Settings\PragmaSoft\My documents\Proj1.mpp\2

If you want, you can edit this link and change its logic such as :
C:\Documents and Settings\PragmaSoft\My documents\Proj1.mpp\2DD+2d

Tell me if it works for you!

Gérard Ducouret

Gerard,

Thank you for your information. I was able to open 2 of my sample

projects and follow the steps that you had written. I successfully created
a link between the predecessor (Task-B in Project-2) and the successor
(Task-A in Project-1). However, the link seems to have locked the tasks.
They are now un-editable. I cannot edit the predecessor task to see the
changes in the other project. Can you please advise as to what could be the
issue?

 

[Gérard Ducouret]

Hello Mike,

<<Anyone encounter similar critical path issues?>>
Check the following :

Tools / Options / Calculation / Tasks are critical if slack is less than
....0 by default (Have you a greater value ?)
In the same dialog box, have you checked the option :

Calculate Multiple Critical paths.

If yes, clear it

Gérard Ducouret

I am doing something similar and encountering other problems that I expect

also relate to this issue of linking separate taks or projects. I created a
master project M, then linked into it projects A and B. The master has the
resource pool and I set A and B to share resources. There is one task link
between A and B. Settings are Fixed Duration for all tasks. Effort driven
and autolink tasks are turned off. The project start date is 3/8/04, no
start or finish dates have been entered by hand. The problem is that all
tasks are calculated as critical. Showing Early Start, Early Finish, Late
Start and Late Finish displays that some tasks have a LS in January others
LF in February (months outside the project schedule). I am unable to
determine why all the tasks are critical. Tasks are linked within A and B
and only one link is made betwen A and B. Some resources are shared between
A and B. Anyone encounter similar critical path issues?

----- Branden wrote: -----

Gerard,

Thank you for your information. I was able to open 2 of my sample

projects and follow the steps that you had written. I successfully created
a link between the predecessor (Task-B in Project-2) and the successor
(Task-A in Project-1). However, the link seems to have locked the tasks.
They are now un-editable. I cannot edit the predecessor task to see the
changes in the other project. Can you please advise as to what could be the
issue?

 

[Mike]

The slack option is zero, has been from outset. Also, multiple critical paths off always.

 

[Sarah]

Branden,

When you create cross-project links, the external task shows as a
"ghosted" task in the project to which it is linked. You should still
be able to edit the tasks in their original projects, and see the
changes in the ghosted tasks in the linked projects.

Sarah
sarah_kiko@(removethis)cinfin.com

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Mike,

Have you got levelling set to automatic? Or have you levelled with "Level
only within available slack" turned on?

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

 

[Mike]

I have the leveling on manual. But I think I have found a workaround. I deleted all summary lines I had included to display the project in a more structured view. Without summary lines, the tasks have the correct critical status based on duration and precedence. Lesson learned: leave formatting to last and do it on a copy.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Mike,

Don't follow your own advice. Summary tasks do NOT influence any calculation
unless you make them (linking to and from them or assigning resources to
them).
Just formatting by making a work breakdown structure does not create any
problem.
HTH


--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
Project Management Consultancy
Prom+ade BVBA
32-495-300 620

I have the leveling on manual. But I think I have found a workaround. I

deleted all summary lines I had included to display the project in a more
structured view. Without summary lines, the tasks have the correct critical
status based on duration and precedence. Lesson learned: leave formatting
to last and do it on a copy.