Not allowing a task to split over a nonworking time (eg: lunch bre

[EL]

Hi there,

I've been using MS Project (2000) for quite a while now, but never had to
deal with such a situation.

What do you do when you have a task that cannot be split over a nonworking
time? For instance, if you have a task that requires 2 hours of work and
could start as early as 11am, yet this task cannot be started, paused (for a
lunch break) and completed after, because of the nature of the task.

As such, how can I specify that such a task is not "splittable" and as such
should only be planned to start at 1pm, after lunch in this instance.

I have quite a few hundred such small tasks that cannot be split over any
breaks or pauses and hope there is a way to do this automatically (with
dependencies and constraints) instead of by hand...

Thanks

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi EL,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Try making the Durations elapsed by putting an e before: ie ehours.

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: <http://www.mvps.org/project/>

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on )

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

 

[EL]

Thanks for such a quick response! I had never heard of using elapsed time for
the duration.

I just gave it a try for a task that was spanning a 15min break. Result:
instead of starting before the break and completing after, it changed the
planning to complete the task without stopping for the break.

What I need it to do though is to realize in can't finish before the break
and as such only start after it (breaks aren't optional or movable
unfortunately in this setting!).

For instance, in this particular case, I have a 9 min task that can start as
early as 9:53am but have a 15 min break from 10:00am to 10:15am. Because of
the nature of the task, it can’t be started before (7 min) and ended after
the break (2 minutes more). It can’t either be completed during the break
(ie: finish at 10:02). How can I make it realize that the task can’t be
broken-up and as such should only start at 10:15?

This is just an example though, to try to clarify the situation (I hope!)

Is there something I can do in combination with the elapsed setting for the
duration to enforce this?

Thanks!
Eric

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi EL,

But elapsed times will work throughout the break, which is what I thought
you asked for. Can't you work through the break?


Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[EL]

Unfortunately not for this type of situation, you can't simply work during
the break.

The example I gave is a simplified version of the big picture. But
basically, without such an automated constraint for the whole project plan,
there would never be any breaks or lunches for anybody anytime!

Seriously though, I take it there must be a way to do this in MSP since this
type situation isn't uncommon at all in many industries. Think of such
activities as painting an equipement piece (you can't just stop in the middle
of the job), moving components or inventory between warehouses (you can't
just stop and leave the loader in the middle of the way), or even executing a
testing sequence for a piece of software.

.... Please tell me there's a way in MSP to specify that a job can't be split
or worked in nonworking times to set the start date/time!

Thanks again,
Eric

 

[Steve House [MVP]]

I have to wonder why you're bothering with such micro-management? A 9
minute task???? Not 8 and not 10??? I'm not saying it can't occur but it
seems very weird, no offense intended. I like to keep the 8/80 rule in
mind - if your tasks are over 80 hours you're not breaking them down far
enough and if they're under 8 hours you're micro-managing to excess. If I
were an employee being told I'm supposed to wax widget alpha between 9:17
and 9:32, I'd probably tell you to take this job and shove it <grin>.
Seriously, as a PM it's very very unusual to have to get more precise than
"Fred, I need you to wax 13 widgets on Tuesday." Fred knows his job, trust
him do it with the dignity of letting him organize his own workday.

 

[Mike Glen]

EL,

I would recommend that you aim the estimated Durations to be the working
times and forget abour the breaks. Don't mix these Durations with the Work
which is a measure of the manhours needed to complete the job. Use a
standared 8-5 working day and plan your durations on that. Then enter the
resources and the amount of Work needed to achieve the completion of the
task. I think you are in danger of over-complicating the planning.


Mike Glen
Project MVP