Dynamic Scheduling?

[ecs1]

Hi folks,
as a beginner in MS Project, I am hoping I can get some information here.

I have 2 tasks in my Project PLan

Task 1: 5 days: Start June 01-June 05
Task 2: 10 days: Start June 06-16

Task 2 id dependent on 1.
However, I finish task 1 in 2 days and I want the system to reschedule Task 2 Automatically to start from June 03 once I mark Task 1 as complete on June 02...How do I do this?

Any help is much appreciated.

ecs.

 

[FietsenMaker]

Hi ecs,

When Project marks the %complete on a task, it is always based on the current duration of the task. As you pointed out, this does not cause dependent tasks to start earlier if you have finished your first task early. Project just fills the completion to the end.
There is no automatic way to deal with this. You will have to change the duration of the task to reflect the actual duration so dependent tasks move with it.

There is another way that works quite well if you are tracking and updating the schedule on a daily basis. You can use the "Remaining Duration" field. Make this field visible by right-clicking on one of the columns (e.g. "Duration") and selecting "Insert Column".
Note: Remaining Duration = Duration * (1 - %complete).

I use it in combination with the tracking toolbar. Whenever I have started a task, I use the "update as Scheduled" button in the tracking toolbar to have the completion filled in up to the current date line. Then I adjust the remainder of the task length based on my estimate of the remaining duration for the task. This way the schedule is constantly up to date and the dependent tasks move to reflect the effect of my progress on the end date of the project.
In your example you would "update as Scheduled" and set the remaining duration to 0 days as soon as you are done.

Note: The tracking functions update to the project status date. This is normally equal to the current date. You can modify the project status date in the "Project>Project Information" dialog box. Moving the status date allows you to play with tracking tools to see how they work. Change it back to "NA" to have it follow the current date.

Hope this helps.

JL