S
spondee
Is this possible & how would I do it???
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J
John Beamish
Not possible because a task, by definition, has a start date (based on
predecessor tasks) and a duration. Once you have those two, the Finish date
is automatically calculated.
What are you attempting to achieve? It's possible that another approach may
give you the result you are looking for.
predecessor tasks) and a duration. Once you have those two, the Finish date
is automatically calculated.
What are you attempting to achieve? It's possible that another approach may
give you the result you are looking for.
S
spondee
What are you attempting to achieve? It's possible that another approach may
give you the result you are looking for.
I'm looking for 'flexibility' in those task schedules! I want to see
WHEN I've worked and how much, rather than a 'due' date.
I am a writer. Self-employed. Only me. No big company, No IT's to
check with! Can't afford 'consultants' or 'classes'.
Have multiple 'projects' ongoing, in various stages of completion..
Most have extremely flexible, self-imposed deadlines. Even the
sub-tasks may be months in the future.
Many of these 'projects' I only work on sporadically (putting out
fires elsewhere). Which is EXACTLY what I'm trying to correct in my
work habits by using PROJECT.
In the past few years, as I've taken on more work, I find I've 'lost
track' of a small paying project while I deal w/a big pro bono
project! Or I fail to set up the steps (research etc), necessary for
the next PAYING job! Or I get the 'small' paying gigs done, but no
work on some major long-term projects.
I've always MET every assigned 'deadline' but hate them so much will
even turn down an assignment because of 'em!
I've never worked w/ fixed time lines before (too much like
'deadlines' to me!). Nor have I had to look at a realistic timeliness
stretching years into the future! And I guess I'm trying to avoid
them.
OTOH, I use and have learned complicated software! Outlook & Office
(I'm up to 2003), Win Xpro, Specialized writing software. MONEY.
Lots of barely functioning share/freeware over the years.
So I CAN learn and use Project2000. Don't know why I'm so hung-up
with it! I just probably need to ask a whole bunch of stupid
questions and run a bunch of 'trials'! (But I do think, compared to
other software titles, the help files suck!).
I think that if I could actually SEE various forms/styles/types of
Project Files that the self-employed or VERY small business have set
up, that it would be very helpful...
R
Rob Schneider
Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.
rms
On the whole, given your needs and expectations, I don't think Project
is a tool which will work well for you. I doubt it is really used
widely for tracking the type of work you do, so you probably will not
find good examples in books or on the web.
Project is a calculation engine and sort of an "info management" system
to assist in the management of projects. If you can conceive of some of
your work as "projects", then you can model those projects in Project.
I don't have any clear recommendations on what software you could use.
Personal productivity software is a personal thing. You might find
using Outlook's Task Management and Journal features do what you want.
You can enhance the Task forms to add all kinds of information that you
wish to extensively track dates, actuals, etc. I personally use the
Task List routinely as I make and work off lists. I'm not rigorous
enough to use the Journal, but I know a couple of people who love it.
Go Figure.
I still miss tools like Lotus Agenda and ECCO as a personal information
managers, and wish someone would make that sort of software available
now in the 21st century as we have computers powerful enough for it ...
but that another story for another time...
By all means, use Project to learn about it. You'd be best off if you
buy a book about it. Also read the Tutorial and Project Map. The Help
in Project is extensive and complete. As a writer you'll know that Help
is written to be attached to computer applications and not necessarily
optimised for reading and learning.
Good luck.
rms
I'm looking for 'flexibility' in those task schedules! I want to see
WHEN I've worked and how much, rather than a 'due' date.
I am a writer. Self-employed. Only me. No big company, No IT's to
check with! Can't afford 'consultants' or 'classes'.
Have multiple 'projects' ongoing, in various stages of completion..
Most have extremely flexible, self-imposed deadlines. Even the
sub-tasks may be months in the future.
Many of these 'projects' I only work on sporadically (putting out
fires elsewhere). Which is EXACTLY what I'm trying to correct in my
work habits by using PROJECT.
In the past few years, as I've taken on more work, I find I've 'lost
track' of a small paying project while I deal w/a big pro bono
project! Or I fail to set up the steps (research etc), necessary for
the next PAYING job! Or I get the 'small' paying gigs done, but no
work on some major long-term projects.
I've always MET every assigned 'deadline' but hate them so much will
even turn down an assignment because of 'em!
I've never worked w/ fixed time lines before (too much like
'deadlines' to me!). Nor have I had to look at a realistic timeliness
stretching years into the future! And I guess I'm trying to avoid
them.
OTOH, I use and have learned complicated software! Outlook & Office
(I'm up to 2003), Win Xpro, Specialized writing software. MONEY.
Lots of barely functioning share/freeware over the years.
So I CAN learn and use Project2000. Don't know why I'm so hung-up
with it! I just probably need to ask a whole bunch of stupid
questions and run a bunch of 'trials'! (But I do think, compared to
other software titles, the help files suck!).
I think that if I could actually SEE various forms/styles/types of
Project Files that the self-employed or VERY small business have set
up, that it would be very helpful...
On the whole, given your needs and expectations, I don't think Project
is a tool which will work well for you. I doubt it is really used
widely for tracking the type of work you do, so you probably will not
find good examples in books or on the web.
Project is a calculation engine and sort of an "info management" system
to assist in the management of projects. If you can conceive of some of
your work as "projects", then you can model those projects in Project.
I don't have any clear recommendations on what software you could use.
Personal productivity software is a personal thing. You might find
using Outlook's Task Management and Journal features do what you want.
You can enhance the Task forms to add all kinds of information that you
wish to extensively track dates, actuals, etc. I personally use the
Task List routinely as I make and work off lists. I'm not rigorous
enough to use the Journal, but I know a couple of people who love it.
Go Figure.
I still miss tools like Lotus Agenda and ECCO as a personal information
managers, and wish someone would make that sort of software available
now in the 21st century as we have computers powerful enough for it ...
but that another story for another time...
By all means, use Project to learn about it. You'd be best off if you
buy a book about it. Also read the Tutorial and Project Map. The Help
in Project is extensive and complete. As a writer you'll know that Help
is written to be attached to computer applications and not necessarily
optimised for reading and learning.
Good luck.
J
John Beamish
Ahhhh. An interesting requirement (and one which I fully understand since
my father was also freelancing for much of his life).
I have no doubts that you can learn Project. Anybody who can discipline
himself to sit down in front of a blank screen and then not get up until 500
words (or is that drops of blood <grin>) have been recorded will be
successful at most things.
Having said that ... as I tell others: Project isn't a simple program like
Word or Excel. It is a far more complex and far richer environment. I post
here regularly but I'm still learning (often from my attempts to answer
someone's technical question).
It appears to me that you're basically using Project as a time-tracking
system. Although I wouldn't have chosen Project to do this, it will work.
As I said earlier, the definition of a task makes it impossible to do away
with durations and end dates. So here are some suggestions that you might
want to consider:
1. Give the task an end date months (or even years) into the future. To do
this
1a. View | Resource Sheet and create a resource entry (you!)
1b. View | Gantt chart and create a task. Set the Type to "Fixed
Duration", the duration to 400d, the work to 0 and yourself as the resource
assigned to the task.
Now, you can use the View | Resource Usage display to track when you
actually did work on this assignment in the Actual Work cells.
2. Do the opposite: create a milestone task which has a start date the
same as the end date and 0 hours of work and with a task type of Fixed
Units. Assign yourself as the resource and then track your hours in the
View | Resource Usage display by entering your hours in the Actual Work
cells.
Both of these will create a bar in the Gantt display. Don't use that
display. Instead, use the Network Diagram or Calendar display.
Good luck!
my father was also freelancing for much of his life).
I have no doubts that you can learn Project. Anybody who can discipline
himself to sit down in front of a blank screen and then not get up until 500
words (or is that drops of blood <grin>) have been recorded will be
successful at most things.
Having said that ... as I tell others: Project isn't a simple program like
Word or Excel. It is a far more complex and far richer environment. I post
here regularly but I'm still learning (often from my attempts to answer
someone's technical question).
It appears to me that you're basically using Project as a time-tracking
system. Although I wouldn't have chosen Project to do this, it will work.
As I said earlier, the definition of a task makes it impossible to do away
with durations and end dates. So here are some suggestions that you might
want to consider:
1. Give the task an end date months (or even years) into the future. To do
this
1a. View | Resource Sheet and create a resource entry (you!)
1b. View | Gantt chart and create a task. Set the Type to "Fixed
Duration", the duration to 400d, the work to 0 and yourself as the resource
assigned to the task.
Now, you can use the View | Resource Usage display to track when you
actually did work on this assignment in the Actual Work cells.
2. Do the opposite: create a milestone task which has a start date the
same as the end date and 0 hours of work and with a task type of Fixed
Units. Assign yourself as the resource and then track your hours in the
View | Resource Usage display by entering your hours in the Actual Work
cells.
Both of these will create a bar in the Gantt display. Don't use that
display. Instead, use the Network Diagram or Calendar display.
Good luck!
S
spondee
It appears to me that you're basically using Project as a time-tracking
system. Although I wouldn't have chosen Project to do this,
Do you have anything you can recommend??? (But then, I prob couldn't
afford; have already used up my software 'budget' for this year!).
And btw, I chose Project because I'm trying to 'tame' my projects! I
did not realize that 'time & dates' would be so rigid!
want to consider:So here are some suggestions that you might
1. Give the task an end date months (or even years) into the future. To do
this
1a. View | Resource Sheet and create a resource entry (you!)
1b. View | Gantt chart and create a task. Set the Type to "Fixed
Duration", the duration to 400d, the work to 0 and yourself as the resource
assigned to the task.
Now, you can use the View | Resource Usage display to track when you
actually did work on this assignment in the Actual Work cells.
2. Do the opposite: create a milestone task which has a start date the
same as the end date and 0 hours of work and with a task type of Fixed
Units. Assign yourself as the resource and then track your hours in the
View | Resource Usage display by entering your hours in the Actual Work
cells.
Both of these will create a bar in the Gantt display. Don't use that
display. Instead, use the Network Diagram or Calendar display.
Will give this a try this week, and let you all know...
J
John Beamish
I "log" my daily work in a scribbler and use that to build up the hours I'm
going to bill. Friends of mine, who do the same, have scribblers going back
*years*. I tend to throw mine out when they have served their purpose.
Keep the group up-to-date with your assessment. Thanks!
going to bill. Friends of mine, who do the same, have scribblers going back
*years*. I tend to throw mine out when they have served their purpose.
Keep the group up-to-date with your assessment. Thanks!
S
spondee
This DEFINITELY works!
And tracks well on both Calendar & Resource Usage...
1. Give the task an end date months (or even years) into the future. To do
this
1a. View | Resource Sheet and create a resource entry (you!)
1b. View | Gantt chart and create a task. Set the Type to "Fixed
Duration", the duration to 400d, the work to 0 and yourself as the resource
assigned to the task.
Now, you can use the View | Resource Usage display to track when you
actually did work on this assignment in the Actual Work cells.
And tracks well on both Calendar & Resource Usage...
P
pratta
I think what you are trying to do is what Project does
pretty well.
Suggest the following steps:
- create a methodology for your writing tasks
eg Initiate, Plan , Execute, Close phase/summary- each
with a few tasks therein.. You are the world expert on
this. But keep it simple.
- for each job you will bring (paste) in this template
and populate under each phase as required. Just use one
file at this stage.
- all tasks within the template should be set As Soon As
Possible, except the job start task, which you can hard-
code
- Each job will be its own network with its internal
dependencies, and a completion milestone
- Set all tasks to Fixed Work which YOU will perform. Set
tasks for others to perfom as Fixed Duration, but I
suggest you don't resource these tasks. Perhaps indicate
who is responsible in the task name.
- In your Gantt chart Right Click and Select gridlines,
Current Date, and select a color to clearly show current
date on the Gantt
- Set up your barstyles to show % complete to the Summary
level for each job.
- Update progress on tasks regularly (weekly) and re-
schedule those that you haven't completed.
Golden Rule : is that there should be no incomplete tasks
to the left of the current data line. Don't be bashful, if
you haven't completed it, re-schedule it!! This is the key.
You then have an operational plan, and something current
to work with, and Project can help you set your priorities.
If you get these basics right, then you will be using
Project proactively, and then its many benefits will
become apparent as the schedule unfolds.
If you like email me at (e-mail address removed) and I will send
a .mpt file set up for you to get started.
Regards........Pratta
pretty well.
Suggest the following steps:
- create a methodology for your writing tasks
eg Initiate, Plan , Execute, Close phase/summary- each
with a few tasks therein.. You are the world expert on
this. But keep it simple.
- for each job you will bring (paste) in this template
and populate under each phase as required. Just use one
file at this stage.
- all tasks within the template should be set As Soon As
Possible, except the job start task, which you can hard-
code
- Each job will be its own network with its internal
dependencies, and a completion milestone
- Set all tasks to Fixed Work which YOU will perform. Set
tasks for others to perfom as Fixed Duration, but I
suggest you don't resource these tasks. Perhaps indicate
who is responsible in the task name.
- In your Gantt chart Right Click and Select gridlines,
Current Date, and select a color to clearly show current
date on the Gantt
- Set up your barstyles to show % complete to the Summary
level for each job.
- Update progress on tasks regularly (weekly) and re-
schedule those that you haven't completed.
Golden Rule : is that there should be no incomplete tasks
to the left of the current data line. Don't be bashful, if
you haven't completed it, re-schedule it!! This is the key.
You then have an operational plan, and something current
to work with, and Project can help you set your priorities.
If you get these basics right, then you will be using
Project proactively, and then its many benefits will
become apparent as the schedule unfolds.
If you like email me at (e-mail address removed) and I will send
a .mpt file set up for you to get started.
Regards........Pratta
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