Top Level Task Hours in PWA07 timesheet

[Langhorne]

We are trying out Project Server 2007, and would like the following scenario
to work to try to match current PS03 timesheet behavior – it almost does,
with just one problem.

Projects are set up to track via “Hours of work done per periodâ€, with team
members reporting hours per task per day using “My Tasksâ€. Then each week
they would import into their timesheet, which is set up to “Create with
Projects†using “Weeks†as default tracking units. I expected the timesheet
to show the weekly total per project, based on the daily task-based input
from “My Tasksâ€. However the Top Level project line on the timesheet doesn’t
show anything. If I import the specific tasks they show up fine but also
don’t roll up to the Top Level task.

Shouldn’t the Top Level task contain totals for all the sub-tasks within it,
like it does in Project Professional? Thanks -- I appreciate any help or
thoughts you may have.

- L

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Langhorne:

You are assuming that the data exchange between My Tasks and Timesheets has
more flexibility than it does. In order to move data back and forth between
the two, you must create your timesheets at the task level as well, rather
than the project level. What you see in the timesheet has no relationship to
rolled up work values in summary tasks or rolled-up values at the project
level. If you're using My Tasks for your updates, why do you need to move
the data into timesheets?

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

[Langhorne]

Thanks Gary. Bottom line is that we're trying to get PS07 to emulate
timesheet behavior in PS03, which worked just fine for us and was really
botched in 07 (no weekly totals, no ability to collapse rows to just give
project-level totals by week, etc). What seemed to come the closest was for
team members to do project tracking (daily task-level updates) in My Tasks,
then at the end of the week print off a timesheet for billing (displaying
just project-level weekly totals) and adding administrative tasks. But oh
well, looks like that won't work.

I see someone posted this morning the question why bother with timesheets
for admin tasks and instead just create a pseudo-project line 03 did. It's a
good question and I look forward to seeing what people think. That way
everything would stay in My Tasks (which unfortunately still doesn't solve
our other needs like weekly totals and ability to just print the project
top-level task).

I have the feeling we'll need a third-party product like TimeControl or
create custom code to fix the mess Microsoft created with timesheets in PS07.
But if you or anyone else has other suggestions please bring 'em on.

-L.

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Where are you at with patch level on your Server?

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com

 

[Langhorne]

SP1, no hotfix or other patch after that. Did something become available
after SP1 that might help?

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Yes, there's two significant releases since then. The latest is described
here, as well as how to get it. We also expect another significant release
in the next month or so.

http://www.projectserverexperts.com/ProjectServerFAQKnowledgeBase/Unknown Error My Tasks Page.aspx

Direct link to KB article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950816


--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
MSProjectExperts
For Project Server Consulting: http://www.msprojectexperts.com
For Project Server FAQS: http://www.projectserverexperts.com