Viewing Issues Across Multiple Projects?

[Gus Sanchez]

I'm using Project Server and storing all project-related information in the
system-generated WSS sites. Is there a (simple) way to view issues across
"all" projects (as opposed to visiting each individual project site)? Is
this ("easily") doable using the "Project Server Web Parts" posted on the
Microsoft site?

Thanks.

Gus

 

[Garon]

Hi Gus,

We have spent quite a bit of time on this issue with little success. I do
not believe there are any web parts for reading, writing, etc WSS site
records such as Risks, Issues and so on.

The Risks and Issues table can be simple or complex depending on your stand
point. If you have not customised the data entry screens it is simple, if yo
uhave customised the Issue/Risk entry screen it gets complex. By customise I
mean added some of you own fields for tracking extra information. Changing
views (lists) is okay, but if you are adding extra Risk/Issue fields it gets
complex.

The reason is that you need to make this change on every individual site
that WSS builds (ie every single project). The problem you then get is that
if you do not control the exact order in which you add the new fields then
the data can be stored in na different database field for each site. The
label will be the same on all sites, but the physical location of that data
could be a different "user/spare" field in each site.

The meta data for defining which field stores what data for each site is
kept in a field inside a separate table. Your web part would need to read
the meta data mapping, determine what fields hold what values and then
generate a simple SQL select statement that will list required fields and
rows based on passed filter parameters.

I have not yet found a web part or any other offering from Microsoft or any
partner that provided that solution. If anyone knows of one I would love to
get more information about.

 

[Gus Sanchez]

Okay, since we're just starting out, I have NOT customized Risks and Issues
(it's "out of the box"). Your posting says "it is simple" if that's the
case. Can you offer some more details? Thanks!

 

[Garon]

Hi Gus,

I will give you an update later today. I am unavailable for about 4 hours.

It is a single table in the database that stores both issues and risks.
There is a flag in the table that defines tham as either an issue or a risk.

You can do a simple SQL Query to select the data you want.

Youu will then need to use some sort of reporting tool (Crystal or similar)
to render this data in a format that is useable to you.

Alternatively write your own Web Part that displays the data to a web screen.

I will dig around later and find the name of the table you need.

 

[Raymond Chiu (gatorback]

SharePoint Portal Server 2003 also extends the capabilities of Windows
SharePoint Services by providing organization and management tools for
SharePoint sites. Its site registry provides an enterprise-wide method of
aggregating, organizing, and presenting SharePoint sites. In addition,
SharePoint Portal Server 2003 enables users to publish information and
documents stored in their Windows SharePoint Services sites to the entire
organization.

For more info:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/sharepoint/prodinfo/relationship.mspx

 

[John]

I have also been looking for the table that you mention. Could you be more
specific? Thanks, John