Finish date help

[jrambo]

I am new to Project and am trying to figure out how to get it to calculate the finish date the way I need it. I want to setup a "template" project that I can open and input a project end date. Based on that date, I need the individual tasks to show finish dates based on the duration I input. I think this is probably something easy, but I can't seem to wrap my mind around it.

For example, if my project end date is 6/1, I need a task that I have setup with a 30 day duration to have a finish date of 5/2.

Thank you for your help.

 

[rdarrelt]

Open your project file or blank you want to make into a template. On the Standard toolbar select Project, Project Information and set the "Schedule from:" option to Project Finish. That should allow you to enter the finish date and have your calculations go from finish to start. You can save this file, with a unique name, to a template (*.mpt) file. I haven't had the need to schedule this way but it should work properly.

 

[PDQBach]

rdarrelt is correct about the procedure.

But this is one of those "just because you can do it doesn't mean you should."

If I were in your shoes then I would simply use the standard method of choosing an appropriate start date and scheduling from there. Remember to let Project determine the task start/finish dates by using proper task linkages and using durations and work.

Once you've got the schedule developed you'll see how close you come to the required project finish date. If you didn't go over then you have some slack to work with. You'll likely use it and then some.

 

[chriso2000]

All this not to mention the fact that scheduling from finish to start is dangerous. In your example your finish date is 6/1 and your 30 days task is 5/2. If there is a problem completing that task in 30 days, then your finish date is screwed up.