Reoccuring tasks/project stages

[knowthediff]

What is the best way to implement a set of re-occurring tasks in MS
Project. For example, I have a Pilot and a Production stage. Both
stages will have a set of tasks that are identicla (e.g. Puchase
hardware, install hard ware, install software). Do I have to
duplicate the tasks or is there a way to set up a task so that it
occurs in both stages?

I know you can have subprojects and include/import them into the main
project so I guess I could try to do that twice, but I may want to
exclude certain tasks in the production stage and this method would
not work.
Thx,
-J

 

[John]

What is the best way to implement a set of re-occurring tasks in MS
Project. For example, I have a Pilot and a Production stage. Both
stages will have a set of tasks that are identicla (e.g. Puchase
hardware, install hard ware, install software). Do I have to
duplicate the tasks or is there a way to set up a task so that it
occurs in both stages?

I know you can have subprojects and include/import them into the main
project so I guess I could try to do that twice, but I may want to
exclude certain tasks in the production stage and this method would
not work.
Thx,
-J

knowthediff,
First of all, the tasks are not "identical". One is pilot production and
the other is [I assume] full rate production and in fact they may be
very different in the approach used for pilot versus full rate.

One of the pitfalls users run into is trying to be to generic in
describing the task. For example, "purchase hardware" doesn't adequately
describe what hardware is being purchased and for what purpose. Task
descriptions that are to wordy are just as bad. A good task description
should be brief and express in action verb format the work to be done.
And each and every task in a given project should be unique from all
others.

As far as trying to insert the same subproject twice into a master
project, it won't work. Project will flag the fact that the subproject
is already inserted and will not allow a second insertion. Of course you
could probably change the file name and "fool" Project into thinking
there was a separate subproject, but based on the above information, you
don't want to insert the same subproject into a master twice.

The bottom line is a good Project plan requires some careful thought in
setting up the tasks. The better the task definition, the easier it will
be to understand and manage the overall project. In other words, do the
work and plan the project. Don't try to take a shortcut.

Hope this helps.

John
Project MVP

 

[vanita]

Hi J

Some clarifications required:
1. Are you creating different schedules/files for Pilot and Production stage?

Also, I think you are confusing between recurring tasks and group of
activities that may repeat for difefrent functions. Recurring task would be a
single task repeating at a fixed periodicity and with fixed duration. In
your case what I understand is that group of activities repeat for Pilot and
Production stage. But, individual activities might not have same duration in
both the groups.

Best would be detail out the activities for Pilot stage. Then copy > paste
the full group for Production stage and make the required changes of
durations and links for Production stage. Also, these groups would be
sub-projects if these are in defferent files not otherwise.

I hope it helps.
Vanita

 

[knowthediff]

Thanks, I ended up perfomring the copy/paste method and then altering
the dates/effort as you described in the "group of activities". I
would be nice to be able to shortcut the process a bit by referencing
a set of tasks somehow, but this will do for now.

Regards,
-J

 

[vanita]

You are welcome. Thanks for the feedback.
Vanita