Non-Project Tasks

[rb]

I am using Project Server 2007 (not SP1) and am trying to determine
the best way to track time on non-project related activities. Since
the non-project related categories vary by area, I don't want to use
the Administrative categories because then everyone will have those on
their timesheet. I also tried the Activity Plan, but it is quite time
consuming to set this up for everyone. Would it be best to create a
project with all of the non-project related work?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

rb --

I would create a project that simulates the Administrative Time projects
that were available in Project Server 2003. To create a project like this,
I would do the following:

1. Create a new project.
2. Add the non-project tasks.
3. Enter an estimated Duration for each task, such as 90 days.
4. Make each task Fixed Duration and non-Effort Driven.
5. Enter an Actual Start date on each task to "lock" the Start date.
6. Add resources to the project team.
7. Assign resources at a Units value that approximates the amount of time
spent in an average day or week on each task (DO NOT enter 0% Units).
8. Publish the project.

The Activity Plan might have been a viable option for this, but the internal
restrictions are too great. These restrictions include: (a) you can only
assign one resource per task, and (b) when you assign a resource to a task,
the system assigns the resource at 100% Units and you CANNOT change the
Units value.

Hope this helps.

 

[godrid]

Hi Dale,

I follow your suggested steps to create non-project tasks and all the tasks
will appear in the timesheet during creation. Is there a way not to populate
these non-project tasks in the timesheet? I would rather use add line to add
whatever non project task I clock for the week.

Regards
Godrid

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Godrid --

No, what you want cannot be done. The task(s) appear on the My Timesheet
page because work is scheduled during every week of the long-Duration
task(s). Hope this helps.