PWA tasks with longer duration than planned

[Studer]

Hello,
I’m working with PWA 2003 and I have a doubt about updating the tasks of my
project. The question is that for example I have a task that was planned to
last one week, with 4h work each day (20h total). When updating the task, my
resource says he worked much more that planned, lets say 4 days 8h each day
(32h total) and he will still need 15h to complete his work (on the
“Remaining Work†field of the task).

I’ve noticed that MsP automatically divides the total “Remaining Work†by a
large amount of days (20 or more) increasing the duration of my task
immensely.

Any idea what’s the criterion PWA uses to automatically increase the
duration of my task?

Should my resources transmit for example with a note to the project manager
the information that he needs to plan more work to be done instead of filling
the "Remaining Work" field?

Thank you very much.
Studer

 

[Ben Howard]

Hi Studer,

You need to check the task type and the tracking method for the project.

Assuming you are using the default of fixed units for the type and the
tracking method is work done and work remaining, and the units are 50%, (20
hours work over 5 days), then an additional 12 hours done, plus 15 hours
remaining. 20 + 12 + 15 = 47 hours, which at 50% will take 11.75 works days
in total, so project will increase the duration - based on the assumptions
I've made. Your situation is probably different.

I always think it is better for resources to communicate back to their PMs
the amount of increased work either face to face or via email, but not via
PWA! good luck!

 

[Studer]

Thank you Ben,
I use "fixed duration" tasks that's why it's harder to find an explanation
for the way the duration of the task increases.

I think the way is to increase communication between team members and PM's
and transmitting the idea that the "Remainig Work" field in PWA should only
be changed when the work needed to perform the task is less than planned
("Remaining Work"= 0 when they finish the task).

Thank you and have a good day.

Studer