Several Questions

[Kristin]

I teach MS Project basics (among other MS applications)
and had some questions in my class today that I am hoping
someone can help me with. Thanks in advance.

1. One of my students wants to be able to track the
changes that she makes to her project plan...and to get as
detailed as entering reasons why she has made those
changes. Any suggestions?

2. Is there a way for the project manager to define tasks
as "critical" (different from using Project's definition
of critical)? Even if is is color coding specific tasks?

3. How can I track "extra" costs incurred during the
project? For instance, I have a task in my project to set
up a cash register system in my store. I hire an outside
company to come in and do this. When they come, the
register is not there yet. They charge me a fee just for
showing up. Yet the task is not yet complete and they will
still charge me the original cost when they come back to
do the work. Where can I track this.

Thanks!
Kristin

 

[Gérard Ducouret]

Hello Kristin,

1 - Tools / Tracking / Save baseline
Look at the help for "baseline"

2 - The critical property of a task is calculated by the software accordind
to the CPM method.
You "mark" some tasks according to a specific feature using a Flag field :
Insert / Column / Flag(x)...
Then activate a fliter on that flag field

3 - Create a new task, or use the Fixed cost to the previous task.

Hope this helps,

Gérard Ducouret

 

[JackD]

Hello Kristin,

1 - Tools / Tracking / Save baseline
Look at the help for "baseline"

In addition to Gerard's comments,

For the changes to individual tasks (including reasons) try using the notes
field. Another option is to insert a milestone task each time you make a
modification to the schedule. The notes for that task would include whatever
changes you made at that time. Set the date of the milestone task to the
date that you made the modification.

-Jack

 

[cheryl]

Kristen
After the initial baseline is set, I use either the task notes or a text field to track changes. If we push a date out or if it slips. I insert a note detailing the reason for the slip or push

As for notating critical, you may want to look at the Flag fields. These are yes/no fields and may take care of your issue

hope this helps
Cheryl

 

[extra's]

1. use one of the Text fields or Note fiel

2. No, it's a calculated fiel

3. You may define a special resource only for tracing the special tracking so the original tracking will be kept until the all planned job was done