Working from a launch/finish date

[Tana Perkins]

Hi all - I'm guessing this is a common question, so forgive me for my empty
handed search.

I work on small, bursty projects, and am usually rolling many through (20 at
any given time) at once. I have created a 30 day implementation template in
MS Project 2007. The majority of the time, I am given a date to
implement/launch on, and I need a way for my project template to adjust for
me based on this. Is there a way in MS Project to instead of listing a
launch date, list a completion date? One in which I can specify the duration
of the project, when we have to launch it, and have it dynamically adjust the
tasks and subtasks according to both?

Thanks for your help!

 

[John]

Hi all - I'm guessing this is a common question, so forgive me for my empty
handed search.

I work on small, bursty projects, and am usually rolling many through (20 at
any given time) at once. I have created a 30 day implementation template in
MS Project 2007. The majority of the time, I am given a date to
implement/launch on, and I need a way for my project template to adjust for
me based on this. Is there a way in MS Project to instead of listing a
launch date, list a completion date? One in which I can specify the duration
of the project, when we have to launch it, and have it dynamically adjust the
tasks and subtasks according to both?

Thanks for your help!

Tana,
A much as users may want a scheduling program to do the project managing
for them, it is totally the wrong approach. A good schedule is developed
by defining the work content needed to perform each task, the available
resources to work those tasks and a logical sequence of execution. It
should NOT be based on two fixed end dates.

Project will set up a schedule in one of two ways - schedule forward
from a fixed start date (preferred), or schedule backward from a fixed
completion date.

With forward scheduling, the plan should be laid out as noted above. If
that resulting plan then meets the desired finish date, great. If not,
either the plan needs to be revised, (more resources, more efficient
plan, reduce scope, etc.), or the project manager needs to recognize the
plan is not doable given the constraints.

With reverse scheduling, the plan should be laid out in the same way.
Project will then indicate when the plan must start based on the
schedule. If that start date is on or after the desired launch date,
then great. However, once again, if the required start date to meet the
finish date is prior to the desired launch date, the plan will have to
be revised.

Forward scheduling is generally more intuitive for users and easier to
set up and maintain.

Either way, the schedule cannot be "forced" based on customer or
corporate desires. Good project management just doesn't work that way.

And by the way, the answer to your question is "no".

John
Project MVP