Unable to add task in PWA as a subtask

[GA]

In PWA 2003 users are able to add new tasks, but only at the top outline
level. When they are on the Create New Task page, the radio button to add a
new task as a subtask is disabled. I have confirmed all security options are
enabled...we even had the Administrator account try and perform this function
after having been assigned some tasks. I have also confirmed that tasks
already exist on the project plan that this resource is assigned to in order
to provide a task to become a Summary level task.

We are also noticing in the Global file that there are options under the
Custom Fields that are disabled. For instance, when you click on the formula
radio button, the other options listed beneath it in the window are grayed
out except for the None radio button. Even if you select value list, you are
not able to select any other radio button beneath it in the window and you
cannot click on the value list option to enter values for the value list.

Please advise. We are in danger of pulling out this installation.

 

[Jonathan Sofer - MCP]

To your first issue:
You will not have the "Make the new task a subtask of: " option enabled if
the project plan has no indentations in it. If you have no summary level
tasks in your plan then there is no subtask to be able to add to.

To your second issue:
Sounds like you do not have the Enterprise Global checked out when you are
viewing Enterprise Fields. You must first do a "Tools>Enterprise
Options>Check-Out Enterprise Global" before you can edit any data in the
Custom Fields screen.

 

[GA]

First issue - On other instances of MSP I have been able to add tasks to any
top level task whether there are existing indentations or not. This
particular install won't let me. Or was this a change from '02 to '03? They
way I understand it the user can add a task to the top outline level and then
add a task as a subtask of that top outline level. There should not be an
indentation through Project Pro required to add these subtasks.

Second Issue - The global file is checked out. It just isn't behaving as it
should. And I need to know what to do to fix that behavior.

Thanks for the input though.

 

[Jonathan Sofer - MCP]

First Issue:

I just went to my Virtual Machine Project Server 2002 version and
created two new projects.

Project 1 looks like this:

WBS Task Name Resource
1 Task 1 Team Member 1
2 Task 2 Team Member 1
3 Task 3 Team Member 1

Project 2 looks like this:

WBS Task Name Resource
1 Task 1 Team Member 1
2 Task 2 Team Member 1
2.1 Subtask 1 Team Member 1

I published both projects
I logged in as Team Member 1
I went to the Tasks tab and clicked on "Create a new task"
When I select "Project 1" from the Project: dropdown list, the option
to "Make the new task a subtask of:" is greyed out.

When I select "Project 2" from the Project: dropdown list, the option
to "Make the new task a subtask of:" is enabledd and the only option I
can pick in that dropdown list is "Task 2" from "Project Two" which has
a subtask in which I am assigned.

The Hint states "Hint: You can make a new task a subtask of a summary
task that you are assigned to."

In my experience with Project Server 2002 and 2003 I have not seen the
ability to add a subtask to a non Summary Level task.

If you think about it, this functionality makes sense. If a task is
not a summary task in the project plan then it is likely to have
resources assigned to it with scheduled work and possibly actual work.
If you give a team member the ability to add a subtask under that task,
you are letting them turn that original task into a Summary Level Task.
This is not desirable at all. You do not want summary tasks to have
any resources assigned to them and especially no work at that level.

Issue 2:

If you are sure that you are checking out the enterprise global and you
still do not have the ability to modify the custom fields and outline
codes then I would say that there is definitely an issue here. A few
questions:

Does any administrator have the ability to modify the Enterprise
Fields?
When attempting to modify the enterprise global does it state in the
top bar "Microsoft Project - Checked-out Enterprise Global"?

 

[GA]

I'm on 2003. And I copied your example. I'm still having the same
problem...I cannot add a subtask even if I'm a resource assigned to a summary
level task. Even when I'm logged in as someone with Admin rights.

Yes, the top bar notes I'm in the Checked Out Enterprise Global. Where I'm
getting greyed out is when I click on Value List the only option I have is to
make the users select from the list. I cannot select the checkboxes to allow
them to enter their own options.

No one can do this. Not even the default admin account.

 

[Sara - EPM]

GA,

I would check your permissions. Make sure 'create new tasks' is not DENY
for any roles/any groups. If anyone is DENY anywhere, Admin will also be
denied because DENY anywhere will trump all...even for Admin.

Sara

 

[GA]

That was one of the first things I checked. I don't set anything to DENY
just because of that. I prefer to leave items unchecked under Allow or Deny
to accomplish the task. But I have confirmed that users do have access to
Create New Tasks.

Thx though.