Project Progress Update

[JayantSB]

WE are using Project server 2003, using PWA resources are updating timesheet.
since projects are more like one PM looks after 3/4 projects it is difficult
for him to kee approving the timesheet submitted by resources. Even for
project 'Administrator' has big task doing this. Is there any way to auto
approve timesheet an update in to respective Project Database?

 

[Reid McTaggart]

In the Update area of PWA, a PM can set up Rules to automatically approve
task updates that meet certain criteria (such as Actual Work not exceeding
Planned Work). Once these rules are set up, the PM can click a button to
Apply Rules. Then, all that is left for him to approve or reject are updates
that do not meet the criteria.

The PM also could simply click the "Approve All" button, but that is not a
very good practice.

-Reid

 

[JayantSB]

Reid
that's good suggesation! but It also says thet the PM Must approve/reject
tasks at once. What I am looking further is that assuming the timesheets are
approved, how can I reflect these in to project database. this requires
opening each MPP and updating progress and saving it back. ( offcource
publishig too) I want to automate this process, may be through some backend
stored procedure! which can be scheduled at a perticular time.

 

[Sandy]

Have you figured out a way to automate this process for approve, save,
publish? I'm looking for the same thing so we can just manually process the
exceptions.

-Sandy

 

[Marc_Soester]

Hi Sandy,
We have many customers requesting to automate the process without opening
Project Professional etc. We have not been able to do so and I believe that
it is not possible. The purpose of opening Project Professional - besides the
licensing - is actually to ensure that your PM's have had a look at the
complete project plan and do changes if required.
At this stage I believe that you will have to live with the way PS03 updates
Projects using Project Professional.
PS: By saying that, there may be a way. This is only the experience I made
I hope that helps
Marc

 

[JayantSB]

Hi,

This is possible to automate the process without opening Project
Professional. How ever where there is close monitoring of the projects is
required this may not be good solution as if the resources put more actual
hours than planned the chances of changing the dates in the mpp and resulting
the change the scheduling of th eproject. this can be used for support and
maintainence projects and up to some level development projects. We are
working on this and hoping the solution be ready within one months of time (
hopes so),. will keep postig here..

Jayant

 

[Marc Soester]

Hi Jayant,
That sounds most intrestresting. Cant wait to hear how you achieve this.
Please keep us posted. Thanks
Marc

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Marc:

This is nearly impossible in a system where actual work is recorded and
tracked.

What you can automate programmatically:

1) Update work as planned - In other words, have the system convert planned
work to actual work accepting all planned start and end times
2) Reschedule incomplete work in the past to the status date
3) Accept updates from resources and apply to project plans

What you can't automate:
1) Resource reporting. In an automated environment, resources who don't
report their work will have their work rescheduled
2) Changes to actual start and actual finish dates that have not been
entered into the system by the users



--


Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
"We wrote the books on Project Server"
http://www.msprojectexperts.com

For Project Server FAQs visit
http://www.projectserverexperts.com

For Project FAQs visit
http://www.mvps.org/project

 

[Marc Soester]

thanks Gary,
--
Marc Soester
Program Manager &
Senior Product Specialist

 

[pegs]

Gary,

How to you automatically reschedule work to the status date?

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Pegs:

By developing an application that uses the Project API.