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Summary Tasks

3 replies [Last post]
Sat, 2005-02-05 07:33
Gerry Morgan
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Joined: 26 Nov 2004
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I know it is not correct to add resources to a summary task, but I am in a position where a project manager did do this and now there are actual hours also logged against the summary task.
The question is can they simply indent that summary task to become a regular task and insert a new summary task above it that can be kept clear of adding resources.

Is there anyway to stop someone from adding resources to a summary task in the first place?. and if actuals are logged against a summary task what happens to the schedule?.

Thanks GM
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Replies

Wed, 2005-03-23 01:27
#1
Raj Maurya
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Joined: 17 Jul 2004
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Groups: Petro-Chem / Oil & Gas
I think resource allocation to summary task as well as sub tasks is not totally rubbish. For e.g. If you have a deliverable that is the summary of different activities (sub tasks)to be done. In that case you can allocate the resources to its sub tasks then finally to make the deliverable complete some works need to be done (compilation & checking etc.) that extra work you could allocate to summary task. As the need of progress update, try to update % work complete instead % complete.
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Tue, 2005-03-22 18:54
#2
Gerry Morgan
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Hi Dylan

Thanks for the reply.

GM
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Mon, 2005-03-21 03:26
#3
Dylan Wan, PMP EVP
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MS Projects does allow assignments at the parent task level and also allow collection of actuals against it. However, the calculation of %Complete at the parent level based on the actuals can be an issue.

For example, Andy and Bob are assigned to task 1.1 and task 1.2 for 20 hours and 40 hours, respectively. Carol is assigned to Task 1 the summary task for 40 hours.
The total planned work for task 1 is correctly shown as 100 hours. (20 + 40 + 40)

When Task 1.1 and Task 1.2 are progressed with actual 20 hours and 40 hours. It marked the task 1 as 100% complete since all the sub task are complete. The problem is that the actual work hours for task 1 is 60 hours (40 +20) that is different from the planned work. If you now enter the actual work for Task 1. The % Complete changes to 99%.

It seems not handling this properly.


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