Project2000 newbie questions

[PatB123]

Hi- is there a way to precisely indicate the starting and ending time of a
task? It only appears that I can drag the bar but not type in a specific time
nor have the bar 'snap' to various time segments. I don't see a field where I
can input actual 'times'.

Also, what is the easiest way to have one task start immediately after
another? I've linked the two tasks together and tried to the drag the later
task's bar closer to the prior one and it's tough to do visually. I realize
there must be a more precise way to do it.

Thanks so much!

 

[JulieS]

Hi PatB123,

You really should not be manually entering in dates and times. Doing so
creates constraints where the task will "stick" to a particular date.
The job of the Project program is to calculate start and end dates and
times based upon predecessors (links).

So, first, you should remove any constraints. Click in the upper left
corner of the table to select all tasks. Choose Project > Task
Information. Click the Advanced tab and in the Constraint Type
drop-down, select As Soon As possible. Now if you have linked tasks in
a Finish to Start relationship, the finish of one task should drive the
start of another task.

To the issue of showing time -- Tools> Options, View tab. Select a date
format that shows time. Now the start and finish fields will show date
and time.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

 

[PatB123]

Thanks Mike. I'm using Project for planning a sporting event that has
specific start and stop times during the weekend. You ain't kidding about not
being intuitive. Now that I've changed the date format to include an actual
time display I can actually input the time. I only need to input the starting
time of the first event because all of the other events follow thereafter and
are of a fixed duration.

It's obvious that Project was built for very large projects with tons of
tasks and resources that span days, weeks, months. A little cumbersome for
smaller projects.

One final question- is there a way to print out the Gantt chart with each
day on its own page? I know I could probably fudge around with the layout to
force such a layout but I'd think there should be a print setting that would
make it easier. Our event is held during most of a Saturday and Sunday
morning and afternoon. There's no need for me to have the evening hours
displayed on a prinout. Just wastes too much space. Thanks again.

 

[PatB123]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I'm also experimenting with filters. It
seems like that's a good way to restrain my printout to particular days. Once
I get a better handle on this program then I'll be updgrading to the newest
version.

Pat

 

[Mike Glen]

Pat, you can restrict the printout in the File/Print dialog where you can choose between dates - enter date and times in the To: and From: cells.


Mike Glen
Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials


Thanks for all the help everyone. I'm also experimenting with filters. It
seems like that's a good way to restrain my printout to particular days. Once
I get a better handle on this program then I'll be updgrading to the newest
version.

Pat

 

[JulieS]

You're most welcome Pat and thanks for the feedback. Feel free to drop
by with more questions as you learn more.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project