% task complete v's ACTUAL WORK DONE

Resolved · Medium Priority · Version 2003

Thu 24 Mar 2011, 11:57 Delegate Inderpal said...

Inderpal has attended:
Project Introduction course
Project Intermediate course
Project Introduction course

% task complete v's ACTUAL WORK DONE

Hi,

In my MS Project plan,I am currently assigning completed task as "100% Complete", using the Tracking Toolbar icon.

I note from the training session and also whilst playing with the "update tasks" icon within the same toolbar that there is a functionality to assign the srat/end dates of ACTUAL WORK DONE.

For tasks whose MS Project predicted dates correspond exactly with actual start/end dates achieved, what is the difference between using the 100% complete icon, and plugging the dates into the Actual Work Done dialog box?

If I find a task that gets delayed for example, I tend to amend by MS Project Plan predicted dates so that it back in line with current progress of the project, and then when that task is complete, i tick it as 100% complete. I do not amend the ACTUAL WORK DONE dialog box.

Isn't it easier just to do this, rather than using the ACTUAL WORK DONE icon ? When would you use ACTUAL WORK DONE dialog box?

Fri 25 Mar 2011, 14:00 Trainer Andrew said...

RE: % task complete v's ACTUAL WORK DONE

Hi Inderpal

Thank you for your question.

When the schedule of a task is unchanged, and the task is complete then marking 100% duration complete or putting in the actual start and finish dates lead to the same result.

When you record Actual start and Finish dates you don't need to manually adjust the schedule by changing the planned start and finish dates. Project will look after that for you.

As you will have noticed updating the planned start date / finish dates is likely to prompt Project to add constraints to your task.

If you use the Actual dates Project positions the tasks and records progress immediately so it doesn't need to add constraints to position them correctly.

Also if your task is not following the schedule then recording Actual and Remaining duration redraws the task without triggering the Task Type calculation that would occur if you for example manually changed the duration value.

I hope this makes sense - let me know if you have any further questions.

Kind regards,
Andrew

Fri 25 Mar 2011, 16:10 Delegate Inderpal said...

RE: % task complete v's ACTUAL WORK DONE

thanks for reply Andrew...

one thing i didn't understand was:

"As you will have noticed updating the planned start date / finish dates is likely to prompt Project to add constraints to your task. "

i wasn't aware that MSProject added constraints. What do you mean ? Have i misunderstood something?

Kind regards
Indy

Thu 21 Apr 2011, 09:17 Trainer Andrew said...

RE: % task complete v's ACTUAL WORK DONE

Hi Inderpal

Thanks for your further question and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

MS Project will treat edits to values in the Start / Finish columns as a prompt to add a constraint to the task set to the date you entered.

It doesn't offer a choice of which constraint will be applied but you can always change the constraint by going into Task Information (double click on the task and go to the Advanced Tab. From here you can pick the constraint type that you require or set it back to As Soon As Possible)

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Andrew

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