microsoft projects training - Task Constraints

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Wed 28 Nov 2007, 10:43 Delegate Anita said...

Anita has attended:
Project Intro Intermediate course

Task Constraints

I always get task constraints whenever i go in and change existing task start or finish dates -
1. How do i get rid of these?
2. Whats the best way to change/amend these dates so i don't get constraint notes popping up?

Thu 29 Nov 2007, 12:34 Trainer Stephen said...

RE: Task Constraints

Hi Anita,

Thank you for your question

If you want to remove a task constraint, simply go into task information and set the task constraint to start as soon as posssible if you are scheduling from a start date, or as late as possible if from a finish date.

If you are specifying a particualr date for a task to start, then that task no longer can start as soon as possible and so a constraint will be added. The simple solution is to only specify dates for particular tasks when you absolutely have to and wereever possible let the start times of tasks be determined by the logic of he project and later by any levelling delays that you need to apply

Regards

Stephen

Thu 29 Nov 2007, 14:53 Delegate Anita said...

RE: Task Constraints

Thanks for your reply Stephen.
I am working on a project plan that already has task constraints and i am trying to remove them.
When i do what you recommended both in your reply and from the workshop it changes the start and finish dates completely unless i add a predecessor and lag time. In this particular instance there is no predecessor/lag - so not really sure what to do?

Thanks
Anita

Fri 30 Nov 2007, 09:46 Trainer Stephen said...

RE: Task Constraints

Hi Anita,

The key question is; Is there any reason why the tasks can't start when project says they can, that is as soon as possible?

If there is a good reason, then you could simply leave a "must start after constraint" against the task. This would present few problems if it was essential.

Also, ask yourself "Why does the task have to start on a particular date.?"

If it is because something else has to happen first, then it could be that this "something else" needs to be added to the project as a task, and a dependency added between it and the task in question.

Regards

Stephen

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MS Project tip:

Compare Work and Duration

Duration is the timescale within which a task is done; Work is the specific time element used. For example, 3 days work in a duration of 2 weeks. To compare, add the Work field into the Entry table by right clicking a column heading to Add Field.

View all MS Project hints and tips