Forum Discussion
Summary of plenty projects
Hello everyone.
Im new on this side of using MS Projects !
In this case I would like to say thank you already for answering my novice questions.
so what is best practice and the smart way to make the summary of many projects I MS Project. At the moment I create 30 projects in MS ( single files ). How do I create the best and smartest overview of all this projects ?
is it to make one excel file with a table, and then link to each project files, or is there a smarter way in MS projects ?
BR
/Mike
- Mike,
It would help to know which version of Project you are using (i.e. Project Online, Project for the web, desktop version, etc.).
It's easy enough to insert all 30 of your individual projects into a master file via, Project > Insert group > Subproject, but that may not be the best option in your case. What exactly do you want/need in the overview?
JohnJohn-projectthank you for the fast replay.
First of all I use the desktop version, 365.
And what I would like is a fast overview of all project when the project owner need to be informed where in the process each project is at the moment, last task, next task, and who have the lead at the moment.What is the easiest way ?
And most recommended way ?- BoysenMike,
In your original post you mentioned you have 30 individual project files. How large (i.e. tasks) is each file? Is there a reason all 30 couldn't be combined into a single file with each "project" under it's own summary line? If not, are all 30 projects in a single directory on a local drive or do they reside on a network? Are all projects maintained by a single person or is each project under a separate "owner"?
The reason I'm asking these question is because I still don't have enough information about your file structure to suggest a "recommended" or "easiest" way to provide the information you want.
When you say, "where in the process each project is at the moment", what exactly does that mean for you? Project has lots of metrics (% complete, variance to baseline, earned value, etc.), so understanding what the project owner needs/wants is critical to providing meaningful status.
Given multiple "projects", the "last task, next task" information needs some type of definition. Is the "last task" the last task(s) that were complete or supposed to have been completed, or what? The "next task" is usually viewed as a near-term look ahead (e.g. next week, next month, etc.). What are you looking for?
You mention wanting to know "who has the lead at the moment". What exactly does that mean? Does that mean which separate project is driving the critical path, which resource has the next task, or what?
Your question is rather generic and for us to be able to help you, we need to know more about what you have as far as how your plans are laid out. A screen shot of one of the "projects" would be helpful. Remember, we can't read you mind or look over your shoulder so you need to help us help you.
John
