Tasks keep moving out in master and subprojects

[Elwood_33]

I am trying to build a production schedule using numerous subprojects in a
master project and sharing resources using a resource pool. This is so
"novice" users can access very small projects to update actual progress
without risking inadvertent changes to tasks in the master project.
Before attempting the master project scenario I built the schedule with the
desired task dependencies in a single project, with resources, which seemed
to work as expected.
In the newly created master and sub-projects, however, tasks continue to
unexpectedly move out into the future, despite no load on the applicable
resources earlier in the schedule and even when task dependencies are
removed. I am to the point where I can't bring the scheduled start date for
a task back to where I want it (today) for either of two unlinked tasks in a
sub-project consisting of only those two tasks will all internal and external
links removed.
I've been trying to figure this out all day but have had no success.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[JulieS]

Hello Elwood_33,

I have a couple of questions for clarification:
1. What version of MS Project and what service pack level?
2. Is leveling set to automatic?
3. When you say tasks continue to move out into the future, what are
you doing at the time? Are you attempting to level resources?
4. Is there nonworking time in the resource calendar?
5. Have you changed the resource availability (max. units) to
something other than a flat rate?

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Jim Aksel]

Task dependencies will disappear if you try to cut/paste a group of tasks
from the main file into one of the smaller files. If you try to paste into a
file that has a successor task of line 103, it will not know what to do if
you are only pasting tasks 20 - 41. References outside the pasted range will
vanish.

Also, look at your work calendars for all the projects and make sure you
understand any differences such as holidays, 9/80 work week, etc. This can
also push you schedule around.

If you are copy/pasting tasks from schedule to schedule with resource
leveling turned on, you are going to push tasks right in the later schedules.
Why? The resource is allocated against the "from" tasks already if they use
the same resource pool.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Elwood_33]

Julie and Jim,

Thanks for your help. I think you both hit the key issue I am dealing with
-- "automatic leveling".

Follow-up question:
I have changed leveling to Manual in the resouce pool file. Should I also
change leveling to Manual in the master-project file and all sub-project
files as well to avoid further unexpected issues?

Answers to Julie's questions:
1. Project Standard 2003, SP3
2. Automatic according to Tools, Level Resources
3. Not leveling resources but I am adding tasks that use resources from the
common resource pool
4. Threre is non-working time, but the "movement" doesn't seem to
correspond with non-working time
5. No changes in resource availability -- flat rates of 100%, 200%, or 300%
representing the number of technicians available

Thanks again for your help. I thought I was loosing my marbles.

 

[JulieS]

Hello Elwood,

Glad to know the root of the problem was automatic leveling and that
you weren't loosing your marbles

In answer to your new question, once you set leveling to manual, that
applies to all projects opened on your PC. No need to change from
file to file.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project