Tie start dates of tasks together

[Shane]

I am using MS Project 2003, I also use 2007. I have a project that has within
it two tasks (A & B)which I need to start both on the same date, so if I
change the start date of task B, task A’s start date also changes to match it.
I have set task A as a predecessor of B and linked by Start to Start, but if
I change B’s start date A’s doesn’t change.

Please can anyone tell me how I can do this?

Thanks

 

[Dave]

I am using MS Project 2003, I also use 2007. I have a project that has within
it two tasks (A & B)which I need to start both on the same date, so if I
change the start date of task B, task A’s start date also changes to match it.
I have set task A as a predecessor of B and linked by Start to Start, but if
I change B’s start date A’s doesn’t change.

Please can anyone tell me how I can do this?

Thanks

Look up hammock task. You have to copy the start date of Task B and
Edit/Paste Special/Link to the start date of Task A to make a dynamic link.

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Put a milestone as a predecessor to both. Move the milestone and the other
tasks will change.
The suggestion of a hammock task will work too but is less obvious if other
people look at the file. The logic is much clearer with a start milestone.
The final alternative is to use a summary task - there are violent opinions
about using them and I recommend you don't, but this would be one case where
you might consider it.

-Jack

 

[Steve House]

Jacks suggestion of the milestone is a good way to handle this. Sometimes
it can help understanding the behaviour to think of predecessor as meaning
"controlling task" and successor as meaning "controlled task." In any
relationship there's only one boss and the roles don't switch from day to
day. How is Project to know when A should control B and when B should
control A?