Project 2007 Critical Path Incorrect

[sjbpublic]

Hi folks,

I have a similar issue to the one posted here:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1643077

It's pretty much identical, in that what I know to be the critical path, Project doesn't recognize as the critical path.

I've attached a copy of my project file. I'd very much appreciate it if anyone has any thoughts!

~Steve

 

[PDQBach]

I filtered out all tasks at %Complete = 100%.

In the remaining tasks I found that nearly every one has a non-zero "Total Slack". Since, by definition, a Critical task is a task with 0 Total Slack, it appears that MS Project is handling your data correctly.

I'm rather pressed for time these days so I won't be able to do any kind of analysis on how you structured the predecessor/successor relationships.

Perhaps Julie can help. Julie?

 

[JulieInMaine]

Sorry for the delay. Tasks 185, 193, 194, and 195 are on the critical path. As PDQ notes, tasks which are complete are no longer on the critical path. You have links on summary tasks which generally speaking is a no-no.

With the exception of the tasks I noted above, all other tasks have Total Slack > 0.

So, I guess I should start with the question -- what did you expect to see when viewing Critical path? What precisely do you mean by "what I know to be critical path."?

 

[DrSimon]

I suspect what you mean is that there are tasks that you think should be on the critical path but are not.
Both PDQ Bach and Julie are of course absolutely right, but you might get what you want by changing the following field on the Calculation Options tab:
Tasks are critical if slack is less than or equal to _ days.
If you increase the number of days from 0, you get tasks that are nearly on the critical path.
Simon

 

[Chez27]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have setup my project in MS Project and have linked all the tasks up. When I tick the show critical path it changes the whole project on the gantt into red. I don't understand how my whole project can be critical when they don't all start at the same time. I'm sure it is something very simple but can't figure it out.

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[SkipVought]

chez,

What you have done is known as "hyjacking" a thread, by posting UNRELATED issues or a separate question.

Please start your own thread.

Skip,

_{Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE!}

 

[Chez27]

sorry, I am new to this. How do I start a new thread?

 

[JulieInMaine]

Hi Chez27,

At the top of the list of posts, there is a "Start new Thread" link.

But as we've come this far, I'll see if I can assist.

I think you misinterpret what "critical" means in the Project Management world. Critical is not "bad" or "late" - it just mean those tasks that if delayed will delay the end date of the project.

I hope this helps.

Julie