I am currently developing a turnaround plan using MS Project 2013 and I am having difficulties creating a 3 shift look ahead. I need to have the 3 shift look ahead report to work with my milestones. Is there anyway possible that will allow me to create this type of report using multiple milestones so I can provide my field foreman on priority work?

I have no idea what you mean by a 3 shift look ahead. You can filter tasks using the Date Range Filter or using Auto filters. What do you mean, exactly?

Hello, and thank you for your time.

A 3 shift look ahead is a report that explains which tasks are going to be late within the next 3 upcoming 12 hour working shifts. As the schedule is being updated, tasks that have not been done start losing slack. As the slack gets between 0 - 36 hrs (3 12 hour shifts), the report will filter these tasks in a single report. Let me know if this makes sense.

If I understand you correctly, you want a custom filter for tasks that are scheduled to finish in the next 36 hours? You're going to have to create a custom filter to look ahead 36 hours.

Thats right. Here is where it gets difficult for me to understand. I have a schedule with 5 milestones. Some tasks in the project need to be done by the first milestone. The next set of tasks the second milestone, etc. The custom filter would need to identify each set of tasks for each milestone. Is there a formula on Pojects that can do this? If you would like, I can send you my schedule so you can understand what I am doing. You can send me an email to aagent87@gmail.com and I will reply with my schedule.

Hi AAgent87,

You can zip the project file and attach to a post here. Or attach a picture of the tasks.

Are your tasks logically linked to the milestones?

Yes they are link logically. I have no constrait dates except for the milestones. Please note, all my estimating and scheduling is not complete due to the client not giving me a start date. Thank you.

Attached Files

2015 LoRO Master Schedule - Copy.zip (427.5 KB, 17 views)

I see you have milestones as predecessors to a number of tasks and other milestones as successors.

You have a couple of options:
1. Set deadlines against the deliverable milestones. If predecessors slip, you'll see you are going to miss your milestone date.
2. Filter tasks using the successor field. For example, Task ID 6 "FM Pre TA LoCat" has 10 predecessors. Insert the successor field and auto filter for Task ID 6. If you want to automate it a bit more, use spare flag fields (Flag1 through Flag20) to create filters for key milestones.
3. Make sure you save a baseline and focus on those tasks whose variance is significant.
4. As you are using Project 2013 look at the task path command in the Format Ribbon. It's a marvelous way to see driving predecessors to tasks.

Yes, I link milestones to tasks in order to show that it is the milestones that are going to drive the schedule for a higher level of review for the project status. I will go ahead an review my options you have provided and see what will work best for my foreman and client. I appreciate all you have provided. I will let you know what everyone wanted to see.

Thanks again!!

You're welcome. Feel free to post back with further questions.