Saving Master Project/publishing sub-projects

[LeslieF]

Hello,

I have many sub-projects (>150, each with approx 50 tasks) inserted into a
Master project. I understand that it's recommended that although one could
save a Master project to the Project Server, one should not publish it. I'm
wondering, however, if there are any complications to publishing the
sub-projects individually to the server?

Thanks in advance...L

 

[eswb10]

There are a number of complications in using a Master Project,
especially related to resource allocation. I assume that when you say
publishing your sub-projects individually, you mean publish them as
distinct and seperate projects. If that is the case, then you would
not have any problems, you would be using Project Server as intended.

Mark

 

[LeslieF]

Hello Mark,

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I'm thinking that even if we can't
publish the master project, if we publish the individual (distinct and
separate .mpp files, though they could have links between them) projects we
could use the portfolio analyzing capabilities to report across the projects.

I'm just beginning to research custom outline codes, which I understand are
critical to the Analyzer views.

....L

 

[eswb10]

Leslie,

That is correct, you can use Project Center and Analyzer views. For
example, you could create a Program name Custom Outline Code and assign
the same Program name to those 150 project schedules in order to group
them in one view. I think you are on the right track.

You might check out www.msprojectexperts.com (under training) for their
books on Project Server. I think the Admin and Project Manager book
should be part of every Project Server admin's tool kit.

Mark Everett, PMP
(e-mail address removed)

 

[LeslieF]

Mark,

Thanks for the response! Glad to know I'm heading down the right path! I was
starting to head in the direction of creating a master/sub-project, but w/o
being able to publish the master, I was loosing access to the Project Center
and Analyzer capabilities.

Your advice on the books from www.msprojectexperts.com is a good one. I
recently purchased "Administering an Enterprise PMO using MSO Project Server
2003", which is what has me leaning towards moving more rapidly, and with
greaterconfidence, on the Project Server side. (Though I really wish it had
an index!

Thanks again! ...L

 

[LeslieF]

Hi Mark,

I was just reading in one of the books you recommended "Administering an
Enterprise PMO using MSOProject Server 2003" that although Project Server
2002 there were resource issues, this has been resolved in the 2003
version.That said, however, they still recommend one publishes a Master
project only when the Master project contains add'l tasks with assignments
that are outside the sub-projects. And, of course, one still cannot see the
tasks within a sub-project in a published master project, so publishing is
still of only limited value.

Just thought I'd share that little tidbit. (Thanks, Gary and Dale!)

....L