working with outline code and views

[inay]

I am new to the use of outline codes. Are these codes only used to enable
more comprehensive reporting/views? I have a schedule I am inheriting which
does not have any tasks structured into a WBS outline or with dependencies.
Instead, through the use of outline codes, views and groups have been created
to provide reports by functional area (outline code 1), deliverables (outline
code 2) etc. I want to flesh out the dependencies and 'complete' the
schedule but am unsure how to go about this. My preference is to start
organising the tasks into a WBS structure (indenting etc.), however, this
'breaks' the 'Views' that have been defined based on the Outline codes.
Should I continue down this path or leave the tasks in an unstructured
format. Has anyone ever created a schedule in this way? Will dependencies
still work if there is no WBS structure? Thanks in advance

 

[davegb]

I am new to the use of outline codes. Are these codes only used to enable
more comprehensive reporting/views? I have a schedule I am inheriting which
does not have any tasks structured into a WBS outline or with dependencies.
Instead, through the use of outline codes, views and groups have been created
to provide reports by functional area (outline code 1), deliverables (outline
code 2) etc. I want to flesh out the dependencies and 'complete' the
schedule but am unsure how to go about this. My preference is to start
organising the tasks into a WBS structure (indenting etc.), however, this
'breaks' the 'Views' that have been defined based on the Outline codes.
Should I continue down this path or leave the tasks in an unstructured
format. Has anyone ever created a schedule in this way?

I suggest you make two copies of the original file (File, Save as...),
then play with the copies and try different approaches. My experience
it that I usally see which works better pretty quickly when I implement
them both.

Will dependencies

still work if there is no WBS structure?

Dependencies are in no way dependent on the outline structure. I'd
definitely put in all the dependencies whichever route you go with the
WBS.

Thanks in advance


Hope this helps in your world.

 

[inay]

Thanks. I did exactly that and have decided to retain the outline codes.

 

[inay]

Actually davegb, I have another question on the topic. I usually use WBS
Chart Pro to create a WBS from my project schedules. I find it very helpful
for workshops, however, WBS Chart Pro does not support outline codes and I do
not get a WBS from my schedule. Do you know what other software options
there are or whether I could export the information to, say, Excel and
somehow change the 'Outline Number' field?