Task Calendars

[Maureen]

When I set up and assign a task calendar that is different
to the default, Project still does not calculate the time
correctly. i.e. I have a 6X20 calendar for a 6 day 20
hour (2 - 10's) day, Project calculates it as 5 X 8 hour
days, which is the default. I have checked
the "Scheduling Ignores Resource Calendars" check box, but
it seems to make no difference. Has anyone else been able
to resolve this?
thanks for your help.
/m

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Maureen --

When you say "Project still does not calculate the time correctly", are you
referring to how the software calculates the Duration of any task to which
you assign the task calendar? If so, please know that Microsoft Project
calculates Duration as follows:

Duration = Work/(Units x Hours Per Day)

The Hours Per Day value is a global setting for each individual project and
its default value is 8 hours. You can see the Hours Per Day value by
clicking Tools - Options - Calendar. When Microsoft Project calculates
Duration, it does not take into account the effect of the task calendar, but
in spite of this, it does schedule the Finish date correctly based on the
combination of task calendar and the calendars of any assigned resources.
Does this answer your question? Let us know.

 

[Guest]

Dale, thank you for responding to my inquiry about task
calendars. What I am understanding you to say is that no
matter what type of task calendar I attach to a task, it
is always going to calculate the default setting of an 8
hour day. Is that correct? In which case I wonder why we
use task calendars. If I have a 6 X 20 hour calendar, I
am looking for a fixed duration of 6 days, but 120 hours
of work. What I get is 48 hours of work and my duration
is 6 days Monday thru Friday with no weekend days. Is
there anyway to resolve this?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Maureen --

I was assuming that you were using either a Fixed Units or Fixed Work task.
In either of those cases, Microsoft Project would calculate the Duration
based on the 8 hour day specified in the Hours per day value.

In your situation, I would recommend that you not attempt to use a task
calendar for your desired result. instead, why don't you create a resource
that works the 120 hour per week schedule and set the Base Calendar value
for this resource as the 6x20 calendar? Set the Duration of the task to 6
days and then assign this resource at 100% Units. Microsoft Project will
automatically book the resource with 120 hours of Work.

Just a thought. Perhaps the others will have some ideas for you also.