Forum Discussion
Linking Tasks to aggregate % complete
In a normal world, Summary Task A, will have rolled up % Complete values of it's child tasks.
In my case, Summary Task A, wants to have it's % complete values from tasks which are not it's own child task, but are located elsewhere in the file, and are other summary tasks child.
Is there a way to do it ?
Okay, thanks for the full explanation, it's what I assumed but it's always good to check. And yes, I can develop a way to do it but I need more details. Would you be able to send me your file?
John
Allow me to explain the complete scenario
Scenario :
There is a Master.mpp and Vendor.mpp
Master.mpp contains high level task, which roll up as summary tasks. Vendor.mpp contains low level tasks, which roll up as summary tasks.
Unfortunately, the summary tasks in Vendor.mpp does not neatly align to tasks in Master.mpp. Tasks in vendor.mpp only align logically to tasks in Master.mpp.Hence the challenge is how to get % complete for tasks in Master.mpp.
Duration of tasks in Master.mpp is bulk duration, which vendor.mpp tasks & summary task must adhere to.
Solution I thought :
If I take the tasks from Master.mpp and place it in Vendor.mpp say, as a Group Task 1) and link the summary tasks & subtask which are native to Vendor.mpp to the Group Task 1 to which they logically correlate, the % complete can flow up. But then, linking tasks just moves the dates, not % complete. Moreover, tasks from Master.mpp has larger duration, say 4 months, but the tasks in Vendor.mpp has duraiton in days & weeks. If we link them in any ways, what's the impact on duraiton of Group 1 tasks (i.e. Master.mpp tasks) ?Is there a simple solution to the scenario ? Am i overcomplicating a solution ?
Attached is the sample file. Since .mpp attachment is not supported, please rename the attached file from Sample.xls to Sample.mpp
- Nkumar2010,
You mention two files, one called Master.mpp and one called Vendor.mpp. Are you working with a linked structure (e.g. Vendor.mpp inserted as a subproject into the Master.mpp)? If so, that's a different ballgame, still workable but more complicated. The sample file you provided shows what I was expecting to see, a single file with a summary group of "group 1 tasks" and a summary group of "group 2 tasks".
Are you overcomplicating a solution? Perhaps. As I though about it overnight, the obvious solution is to restructure your file, if it is in fact a single file, such that the associated groups of group 2 tasks are sub-tasks of appropriate group 1 tasks. Then the whole percent complete idea is automatic. However, I get the feeling that for some reason that approach just doesn't work for you.
Okay, since your question/issue is rather unique I think it would be better to work with you one-on-one. You can contact me at the address below. I will ask some questions.
John
jmacprojataticlouddotdotcom
(remove obvious redundancies)
