Using constraints in Office 2003

[Jay]

I created a project plan, but did not use constraints. All tasks have the
constraint icon, with the properties "start no earlier than". Don't need
them, however, when I change to ASAP, it takes the start date for all tasks
and uses the project start date. I don't want that....I want dates ranging
from Jan 1 - Oct. 21. With that, my project start is Jan 1 and end is Oct.
21. Nothing is outside of that range.

How do I rid of the constraints, but maintain the individual task start dates?

Thanks
Jay

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

If you enter a start date, then project will set that as a Start No Earlier
Than constraint. When you remove that constraint it will head back to the
Project Start date. If you want to keep the dates without setting
constraints, you need to create dependencies (links) between tasks. This
schedule logic is what is created by making these dependencies. That way if
one of the early tasks is delayed it will affect all the succesive tasks.

In short, you must use constraints or schedule logic to sequence your tasks.

-Jack Dahlgren

 

[Darrell]

Jay,

If you built your plan by entering the start and finish date for each task
the program automatically set the "Start No Earlier Than" constraint because
you told it when the tasks should start. If you want the program to calculate
the "As Soon as Possible" start dates for you, you need to enter the network
logic that tells the program which tasks drive the other tasks, i.e. what has
to be done first, second, third, etc.

Darrell

 

[Dave]

I created a project plan, but did not use constraints. All tasks have the
constraint icon, with the properties "start no earlier than". Don't need
them, however, when I change to ASAP, it takes the start date for all tasks
and uses the project start date. I don't want that....I want dates ranging
from Jan 1 - Oct. 21. With that, my project start is Jan 1 and end is Oct.
21. Nothing is outside of that range.

How do I rid of the constraints, but maintain the individual task start dates?

Thanks
Jay

In addition to the other comments about building your network diagram,
you may also have to level your plan if it is resource loaded.