Questions tagged [ms-project]
Use this generic tag for questions that apply to most versions of Microsoft Project. For version-specific questions, please use an alternate tag instead of the catch-all tag. Version tags currently include: ms-project-2003, ms-project-2007, ms-project-2010, ms-project-2013, and ms-project-2016.
676
questions
15
votes
2
answers
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In MS Project, can I create a task whose duration depends on two milestones?
I want to show an ongoing "support" task in MS Project, where the start date is driven by one milestone (test environment available), and the end date is set by another milestone (testing complete). I ...
- 6,868
13
votes
7
answers
13k
views
How can I use MS Project to manage an agile project
We use MS Project to manage a project. Although I know that MS Project is just a scheduling tool, we use it to get the current state of the project. We update the % complete field at the end of every ...
- 323
12
votes
10
answers
28k
views
Showing Microsoft Project files to people without Project
The project managers at my company were asked to use Microsoft Project 2013 to track our projects, but many of the business stakeholders do not have Project installed. It looks like I cannot just ...
- 16.9k
11
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Can MS Projects be integrated in SharePoint?
I wonder if it's possible to integrate a template from MS Projects into SharePoint.
We have been using this tool to plan and illustrate workpackages. However, since we have moved into a bigger team ...
- 333
11
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Is it possible to link msproject with the TFS system?
I wonder if it is possible to create and manage tasks in microsoft project 2010 and commit the modifications to the TFS project's tasks?
It will be practical to raise the percentage of a task in ...
- 245
8
votes
4
answers
36k
views
how can I highlight overdue tasks in MS Project 2007
I am using MS Project 2007. I want to highlight overdue tasks in red color. Is there any way to do so?
- 323
7
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Should Summary Tasks or Detail Tasks be Predecessors?
When setting up a project, what are the advantages and disadvantages to using Summary Tasks vs Detail tasks as predecessors?
If it matters, I am experimenting with MS Project 2010 as a tool.
- 193
7
votes
2
answers
47k
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In MS Project 2010, is it possible to renumber the task ids?
I'd like the task id field to increment in the same order as the start date, but I have added tasks between existing tasks, so when I sort by start date, the task ids go 1, 8, 15, 2, 4, 5, 7, etc. ...
- 1,163
7
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Catch-Up Scheduling
Say I have a project X that is due to be complete by Date Y
Right now we are 10% behind schedule (Should be say 50% and right now 40%), How can I estimate what level of "effort" is required to catch ...
- 171
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why does MS project multiply the duration of tasks?
I've created a recurring task in MS project and I'd like to assign resources (staff) to that resource but when I add the resource(s) to the task the Work hours multiply to extremes and I don't ...
- 211
7
votes
5
answers
22k
views
How can I add contingency to tasks in Microsoft Project?
I'm trying to transfer an existing project plan to Microsoft Project (meaning I can't change how it's organised). Each task has a duration in days then a contingency in days showing how much the task ...
- 171
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
MS Project - Span a task over many days AND allow successor to start right after
I am planning my Master thesis through Microsoft Project. Since some tasks can be exhausting (e.g. writing), I would like to distribute some selected tasks over many days. For example, I am estimating ...
- 71
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How to permit multiple Project Managers to update a shared project
I have searched and not found an answer for this (nor did Google help). We are on Project Server 2007. I am running a large program with multiple project managers handling different parts of the ...
- 450
6
votes
8
answers
10k
views
Version Control for Microsoft Project files
In software it is a best practice to store the source code in Version Control software (also called VC, Configuration Management or CM, SCM for Software CM). This lets one go back and look at 1) ...
- 1,502
6
votes
3
answers
12k
views
How to sort by task numbers?
I’m running into a formatting issue that I’ve never seen before with Project. If I have a list of tasks under a summary task and then insert a new task in the middle of the list, after I change views ...
- 61
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Microsoft Project 2010 - Need Project Design Advice
I'm designing an IT project sheet for my department. I have a certain methodology in mind, but i'm trying to translate it into Project's configuration.
Here's what I'd like to do:
I want to set max ...
I.T. Support
6
votes
3
answers
24k
views
Using Microsoft Project for managing a Scrum project
I am part of a Scrum team and we are constrained to use Microsoft Project (MSP).
I understand that MSP is not primarily an Agile project management tool and I would very much to use something like ...
- 885
5
votes
8
answers
2k
views
What is good PM software for an iterative system development approach?
We aren't necessarily using Agile, but we aren't using the Waterfall approach either; it's more of a hybrid of both.
I was told that Microsoft Project is great for the Waterfall method, but it's not ...
- 153
5
votes
4
answers
4k
views
What is the purpose of the "as late as possible" constraint in MS Project?
I understand that I can use this constraint in MS Project, but really, what is a good use case for this? When does this constraint make sense?
- 414
5
votes
3
answers
43k
views
How can I highlight the "today line" in an MS Project Gantt chart?
I have an eye problem, so I want to make the "today line" in my Gantt chart to be larger and bolder. Is there any way to do so?
- 485
5
votes
6
answers
25k
views
Simple examples of the difference between fixed-work, fixed-unit, and fixed-duration tasks in MS Project
MS Project tasks are either fixed work, fixed unit, or fixed duration, where
Duration x Units = Work
The documentation describes which variable is recomputed when one of the others is changed, but I ...
- 1,380
5
votes
4
answers
187
views
Is keeping two project plans ever appropriate?
I feel that if I publish a project plan that shows completion on date X, I can't very well push for completion at date (X - 3 weeks). But If I publish a plan that shows date (X-3 weeks), how can I ...
- 1,163
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to manage different detail levels in a project plan to be presented to different audiences?
In any given project, a variety of detail levels are needed:
executive summary
technical summary
delivery team summary
delivery details
How can these different levels of detail be contained and ...
- 942
5
votes
2
answers
459
views
How can I manage a Scrum project and meet the requests of the PMO while using Microsoft Project?
I searched other questions and still can't figure out how we can manage a project that uses the Scrum methodology with tools like Microsoft Project.
We are a big software company using Microsoft ...
- 51
5
votes
2
answers
239
views
Correct task dependency if Item A is required within 5 months of starting Task B
I'm not sure what combination of task dependency type and lead/lag duration to use for the following scenario.
Item B is a large, complicated assembly that includes a subcomponent called Item A
...
- 1,380
5
votes
2
answers
744
views
Level Remaining Resource Units
My goal is to optimize resource usage when having priority tasks partially allocated.
MS Project 2007 simple two task scenario (My project has thousands of tasks) with automatic leveling:
======-----...
- 161
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Resource-Task table in MS Project
Does anybody know how to export workload of single resources (columns) per task (rows) from MS Project? The result should look as follows:
.............Resource 1.....Resource 2.....Resource 3 Task
...
- 53
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How to calculate execution variance?
Our Program Management office is interested in identifying tasks where the projected execution differs from the planned execution. MS Project's "Duration Variance" field calculates the difference ...
- 8,738
5
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Unable to schedule a 4-hour task completed over 2 days in Gantt Chart
I'm trying to create a detailed Gantt chart, using MS Project 2013, for a project in one of my courses.
Being a student, I'm not working the same number of hours every day. For example, I may have a ...
- 153
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How to create custom fields at project level in MS Project
Currently, I'm trying to create some custom fields, but I don't want to repeat them in all the tasks, I want to use the option of custom fields by project but the option is disabled. I want to know ...
- 61
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
MS Project: Leveling subtask resources by moving summary task
I'm working on a microsoft project pro problem and need help.
I have two summary tasks A and B starting on the same day. Each Summary task has sub tasks 1,2 with resources allocated to them and ...
- 51
4
votes
5
answers
16k
views
How do I create a MS Project task with less actual work than its duration?
In Jira projects we have a project task called "Project Admin Tasks". It has a start date from the date of the project inception right through to the end of the project i.e. when the project completes ...
- 141
4
votes
3
answers
48k
views
Microsoft Project - How to quick-filter tasks in this week
As subject, on early Monday, I want to see "what we planned to do in this week". At late Friday, I want to see "what has done/delayed in this week".
However, I can't find how to quick-filter tasks ...
- 485
4
votes
7
answers
43k
views
MS Project 2013: Overall duration, taking account of non-business days
In Microsoft Project 2013, is there a way of showing "total duration taking account of non-business days", rather than simply "total number of business days"?
For example (using a standard calendar): ...
4
votes
4
answers
762
views
What is a good example of a project to use to demonstrate how to build a Microsoft Project Schedule
I want to train a few new team members in the use of Microsoft Project. All are familiar with the basics but I want to explain WBS hierarchy and predecessors. I am trying to think of an 'every day ...
- 49
4
votes
3
answers
12k
views
Conditionally formatting bar styles in Project 2010
In Project 2010, is it possible to conditionally format a bar style/color based on the value of a custom field for a given task?
I see a pretty complicated workaround to accomplish this with Project ...
- 2,955
4
votes
3
answers
272
views
Need help- Documentation for non-technical people using Agile
Now we are using Agile and hardly create BRD\FRD, we create user stories, and all this is good for everyone working in the same department. Including the stakeholders. However, if I would like to ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
178
views
How should I schedule around a resource that may be unavailable for up to 5 months a year?
Background: I am managing a Project where I am responsible planning the construction of a visitor center on the peak of a mountain.
The Problem: During reading the brief, I have came across the ...
- 81
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How to Integrate Multiple Project Plans in a Weak Matrix Organization?
How can I approach integrating multiple project plans from different departments into one master plan? Here are the details in this situation:
All teams are ultimately working on the same product, ...
- 329
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Microsoft Project - how to calculate start dates based on a set time from the finish date?
I have multiple tasks that have different durations that I want to start at different times from a go live date, i.e. finish date for an entire project.
For example: Project must finish on 01 Dec ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Getting estimated working time from MS Project
Our company has just recently started using MS Project Professional 2010 and we plan to eventually have a Project Server installation. I've created a few projects so far, but still claim to be a ...
user7334
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Planning in MS Project: fixed work AND fixed duration
I currently plan a quite complex project in MS Project. At the moment I cannot plan everything out in detail, but I think that in my head I have a good understanding of how long a task will last and ...
- 143
4
votes
3
answers
806
views
Do you use the WBS or Project Program to structure tasks in MS Project?
When I first started using Microsoft Project, I took it for granted that I should replicate the WBS in the task list and use that to structure my work packages. After working with Project a little ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
839
views
Portfolio Reports from Microsoft Project files
How can I take schedule information from multiple (40+) Microsoft Project files and create portfolio dashboards and reports. Specifically, I'd like to see Gantt charts for all projects in a stack.
- 41
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Planning of work with taking into account resource availability (MS Project)
I have the following situation in my organization:
Some developers are assigned to Project A. Since this project is currently in the final stage of maintenance (bug corrections, etc.) their ...
- 151
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Hiding a specific time period in Microsoft Project
Question
Good morning,
Is it possible on MS Project Pro 2019 to hide a period of time between two dates?
Background
Our construction projects are divided into 3 stages: (1) pre-construction, (2) ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How do you calculate the number of days between two tasks in Microsoft Project?
I've created an event planning project that explains all of the relevant tasks before, during, and after a given event in MS Project 2003. I would like to calculate the number of days between a given ...
- 49
4
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How can two tasks begin on the same day without a resource-conflict?
In MS Project (current version), I have the following task setup and can't find a solution:
Short translation for columns:
Vorgangsname = Taskname
Arbeit = Work
Dauer = Duration
Anfang = Beginning
...
- 165
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
7 Day calendar not calculating correctly in MS Project
I have a 7 days calendar and added 30 days lag to a milestone, however MS Project 2010 does not count these 30 days correctly. I have checked the Change Working Time and it is set for 8 hours per day....
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
853
views
How can I suppress task type indicators for "The task has a calendar applied to it."
In an mpp file the owner has set a certain calendar and therefore that calendar setting is shown for every single task in the Indicators column.
Is it possible to exclude some indicators from being ...
- 41