The best way to schedule non-dependant tasks

[Lazlo]

H

I've been using the simplest way that I could find to determine the project end date. I have been linking all tasks together belonging to each resource in a start to finish manner. Most tasks aren't dependant on each other and it makes no difference when they're completed within the lifespan of the project. Therefore this seems to be one of the worst ways of scheduling tasks as resources often submit future tasks early and the earlier tasks may be completed last, which makes project think they're late

I've been let to understand that setting actual start dates for tasks isn't the best way for scheduling either

Can anyone advise me how to schedule a project when the tasks don't always need to be completed in a particular order, so that i may determine the end date of a project and then monitor its progress

thanks in advanc

Laura

 

[David]

Laura
From the data provided I assume you would like to know the latest date you can start each task and finish as early as possible. One way to to this is to schedule the project task from the finish date. Go to Project, Project Information, Schedule from:. drop down: Project Finish Date. Now just enter your tasks along with the duration. Project will determine Finish Date from the longest task duration and adjust the other task dates to start as late as possible

Please clarify if I missed your question

Davi

 

[Steve House]

FYI - scheduling backwards from the finish date is a very dangerous practice
because as you point out it does schedule tasks to be done as late as
possible. That removes all possible cushion from the schedule and anything
that delays any task will inevitably delay the project completion. You've
painted yourself into a corner where it is virtually impossible to finish
the project on time, since something will ALWAYS step in to delay one or
more tasks when you go out and try to do the work.


--
Steve House [MVP]
MS Project Trainer/Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Laura,
From the data provided I assume you would like to know the latest date you

can start each task and finish as early as possible. One way to to this is
to schedule the project task from the finish date. Go to Project, Project
Information, Schedule from:. drop down: Project Finish Date. Now just enter
your tasks along with the duration. Project will determine Finish Date from
the longest task duration and adjust the other task dates to start as late
as possible.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

This is fortunately absolutely unnecessary.
Even with the option "from start" Project calculates Latest start and finish
dates.
You just have to insert them as a column to make them visible.

HTH
--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
Project Management Consultancy
Prom+ade BVBA
32-495-300 620

Laura,
From the data provided I assume you would like to know the latest date you

can start each task and finish as early as possible. One way to to this is
to schedule the project task from the finish date. Go to Project, Project
Information, Schedule from:. drop down: Project Finish Date. Now just enter
your tasks along with the duration. Project will determine Finish Date from
the longest task duration and adjust the other task dates to start as late
as possible.