Preparing a plan for a project that is running. | MS-Project forum

Resolved · Low Priority · Version 2003

Mon 9 Feb 2009, 16:37 Delegate Kevin said...

Kevin has attended:
Project Intro Intermediate course

Preparing a plan for a project that is running.

Scenario - new PM has taken over a running project but the current plan uses another toll other than project. Additionally, the plan is very poorly put together with tasks missing, incorrect dependancies, etc. So, the PM wants to build the plan again using MS project. The plan should start from a date in the past and tasks that have already been completed should be represented on the new plan. Is this too complicated to consider?

Mon 9 Feb 2009, 17:00 Trainer Andrew said...

RE: Preparing a plan for a project that is running.

Hi Kevin

This can be supported in Project. Create your project and set your project start date to the correct date in the past.
Based on the existing plan input your activities. If you can get your data into Excel you may find you can copy and paste activities straight into Project. Be careful though to only bring in tasks and durations - exclude dates otherwise Project will constrain the tasks.

Once you have linked your tasks (you may find it easier to split the screen to achieve this) you may wish to baseline your project (Tools > tracking > save baseline)

Progress on tasks can be recorded in a number of ways - perhaps changing the view to show the tracking table (right click on the select all button and choose tracking) would make it easy to update several tasks quickly.

I hope this helps as a start - do let us know if you have any further questions.

Kind regards,
Andrew

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MS Project tip:

Autofit column width – Project (all versions)

At the top of the columns where each column name is located (Task Name, Duration, etc.), hover over the vertical column line which you want to move.

A short bold vertical line will appear, with horizontal arrows pointing left and right.

Left click and hold this icon and it will permit you to grab the column line, allowing you to move it left or right to your desired location.

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