How to designate tasks that occur intermittently? 1

[larryq22]

I'm a relative newbie to the MS Project world. Can someone tell me how to set up tasks that are to occur at fixed intervals (such as monthly reports, updates, etc)? I'm using Project 2003.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[johnherman]

Check out "recurring task". This works for meetings, etc.

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The trouble with doing something right the first time is that noboby appreciates how difficult it was.
- Steven Wright

 

[larryq22]

Thanks, but... The recurring task ("monthly report") showed up on the Gantt chart fine (one day for each report). In the task list, though, the "duration" became the cumulative number of days from first to last report. so it looks like 43 days are required to write 3 monthly reports (which could be true, but not this time ). Help!

 

[PDQBach]

No help needed. You have made the standard error: Duration (elapsed time) is *not* Work (the effort).

The only time Duration = Effort is when you work exclusively on a single task.

 

[johnherman]

Star for the master of time, work, duration, and effort. Would you consider writing a FAQ on this subject? It wouldn't be hard, just gather statements you've already written on the subject.

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The trouble with doing something right the first time is that noboby appreciates how difficult it was.
- Steven Wright

 

[PDQBach]

JohnHerman:

You've done an excellent job of delegation <grin>. OK ... but it may take a bit to get started because I have quite a few irons in the fire right now. I'll see what I can do, though, over the next couple of weeks.