Task Splits

[melmer]

Please help, gurus!

Here's the deal: I have fixed duration tasks that may be extended /
shortened on a weekly basis due to progress (though I've disabled and
do not want my tasks to be effort-driven). I have checked "Scheduling
ignores resource calendars" on each of the tasks.

Now when I go to update actual work, I get this message if the actual
work exceeds the baseline work: "The resource is assigned outside of
the original dates for task 14 - the duration will change to
accomodate the resource assignment". The result is my task is
extended another couple of weeks and, if I go to push it back, my
actual work is reduced. YET, my resource assignment units remain the
same, which is what I'd prefer to be adjustable!

What the heck? Is there a way, when I update the actual work, to make
the resource assignment units adjust up to accomodate the actual work
hours instead of the duration increasing?

Thank you -

Martie

 

[melmer]

By the way, the "Task Splits" subject line was an accident - I have
another issue regarding task splits that I'm struggling with, but this
issue is definitely the priority. Thanks again.

 

[Dave]

Please help, gurus!

Here's the deal: I have fixed duration tasks that may be extended /
shortened on a weekly basis due to progress (though I've disabled and
do not want my tasks to be effort-driven). I have checked "Scheduling
ignores resource calendars" on each of the tasks.

Now when I go to update actual work, I get this message if the actual
work exceeds the baseline work: "The resource is assigned outside of
the original dates for task 14 - the duration will change to
accomodate the resource assignment". The result is my task is
extended another couple of weeks and, if I go to push it back, my
actual work is reduced. YET, my resource assignment units remain the
same, which is what I'd prefer to be adjustable!

What the heck? Is there a way, when I update the actual work, to make
the resource assignment units adjust up to accomodate the actual work
hours instead of the duration increasing?

Thank you -

Martie

It sounds as though your tasks are not actually fixed duration. If they
can be extended or shortened as a result of progress (in other words the
amount of work achieved) then they are not fixed duration unless I have
misunderstood something.

What is the reason that they are set to fixed duration. If they were
fixed work, then the resource assignment units would adjust to
accommodate changes in duration.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

One never stops wondering what may have inspired the Microsoft people when
they wrote some of their software.
Indeed, when a task is finished, it seems to lose its "Fixed Duration"
property and starts reacting as fixed Units.
One workaround is to enter actual work the timescaled way (in Task Usage,
actual work line)
Another way is to put the task to 100% complete, then change the assignment
units to a value larger than what you need, than you can change work without
seeing duration affected.

And please don't ask me why )
--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[melmer]

Dave - yes, they are all fixed durations, trust me. Fixed work does
not suit our needs because like I said before, they are budgets and
need to be adjustable. Since we are held to actual deadlines in this
business (architecture) rather than work hours, fixed duration works
best. It's when those deadlines change that my schedule goes
haywire.

Jan - thank you for the suggestion, but I've tried entering those
numbers on a weekly basis in the task usage view and there's simply no
way for me to do that realistically as these projects are huge and
carry many resources per task....I mean, I might as well use excel to
schedule! I'm counting on Project to calculate, based on the
duration, work & resources I enter, the assignment units for me.
Sounds so simple! Also, the tasks that are going over the baseline
work value are not finished tasks. They may show as 100% Work
Complete, but they may only be 50% (Duration) Complete.

Ugh, I'm so confused....please tell me there's a magic option
somewhere that'll stop this from happening

 

[melmer]

You're absolutely right, I have found great help on here
before....which I guess is why I'm baffled this question sounds so
baffling.

I'm not saying I have a special, unique case because it's
architecture. I am also completely aware that I need to update on a
task-by-task basis....no problem there. Jan suggested I update
resource work on the usage view, which would mean I update each
resource, individually, per task (unless I'm misreading it) - that
information is not even available to me. I get a report of cumulative
hours per task to update from.

I'm simply looking for a way to update Actual Work where my Fixed
Duration task stays fixed and my resource units change to
accommodate.

How would I go about sending the file?

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Trevor,

The essence is that when entering actuals Project does not recognize the
fixed duration setting: it reacts as if the task were fixed units.
No use looking at the file, this can be repeated at will.
I'm going to have another look at it trying to find a better workaround.

Greetings,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[melmer]

Jan - oh my goodness, thank you....if for nothing else, for validating
that I'm not speaking Greek!

I think this is the strangest thing / and you re-stated it perfectly,
my "Fixed Duration" tasks are behaving like "Fixed Units" when the
actual work changes. What the...???

Again, thank you so much for trying to figure this out - I'm eagerly
awaiting your reply

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Back with bad news I'm afraid.
I can't offer a truly simple workaround.
When the tasks has to be reported 100% complete it's easy: change the value
of Work THEN click 100% on the Tracking toolbar: Units will have changed
because as long as there isn't any actual Work on the task, Fixed Duration
DOES work )

But for tasks partially done, the part that is "Actual" reacts as fixed
units :-( and the only way to change that is by entering timescaled values
I'm afraid.

I hope somebody else finds something more elegant... I give up.
Greetings,


--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[melmer]

Hey, I don't blame you for throwing in the towel....I certainly give
up on trying to rationalize it!

I've noticed that if I throw in a "dummy" % Complete (anything lower
than 100) first, then type in Actual Work, I get the result I'm
looking for. Yep, going around my elbow to get to my a**, but hey, it
works....I guess that's the best I can hope for at this point.

I appreciate all your help, Jan