#1
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Work semi completed
Hi, I am trying to puzzle out how how to show when certain work was carried out. Let's say I have a task that takes 20 days. 5% was carried out on 01 Jan 10% was carried out on 04-5 Jan 85% remains and will be done at a later stage. How do I show when the work, i.e. the actual days, was actually carried out? BTW: I'm not using resources in the programme - only tasks. /Møller |
#2
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Consider using the Tracking table. It allows you to enter actual start (Feb 1). Actual and remaining duration - which will calculate % complete.
If the remaining portion of the task will not be completed as scheduled (following on with Feb 2) then you need to split the task and reschedule the remaining duration to a more realistic time frame. Another suggestion to avoid the split task - is to create the beginning part of the work as "preparation" and the remaining 20 days as another task. |
#3
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For this excercise the works ahead doesn't really matter as that is simple enough. It is the past that I want to get recorded correctly.
Maybe some background info will help. Our company does roads and earthworks and we typically needs to remove an amount of material (basically dig a hole). The work carried out is measured as a volume and the resources utilized doesn't matter as no one is interested in anything except the volume. It is however important that we know when the quantities were dug out so we need the history to be shown accurately. In the image below I've tried to show 17% of the work carried out over 4 days. Can MS project handle that? |
#4
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You are mixing and matching % complete which is a duration measurement and % work complete. In order to measure % work complete - 17% - you need to assign a resource. In order to track work on specific days - you'll need a timescaled view such as the Task Usage view.
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#5
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Also a (mainly) civils and highways planner here
I would tend to set this up so that each area is a summary task, with individual tasks within it- see enclosed pic . this will allow you to set start and end dates for each section of work within an area- I have also added volumes(number column 1) and resources, as this is info that may well be required (for us it would be, but not necessarily for you). This allows you to add more excavation items as you go through, as the summary is the indicator of the area. I suspect this is what you are looking at, if you need to keep records of what.when/where, although it may be easier ot ignore project and just record this info in an excel sheet, although obviously it depends on how it needs to be produced, but that would be simpler and probably more useful. |
#6
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JulieS,
I see what you are saying. The unintended consequence is actually the realization that the %-completion is totally meaningless as a measure of a projects progress for us, which is good I suppose. Guloluseus, I have thought about that as well, and it is probably the only way to the problem. What we find (especially when we are doing township roads) is that half a road can't be constructed because of buildings or utilities in the way and these constraints cannot be applied to the middle of a task. The knock-on effect is that subsequent tasks (e.g. asphalt after base course) will also have to be split. I also add the production rates to the program. That our production rates are essentially S-curves makes it more complicated. I suppose what I am trying to achieve is using MS Project as a reporting tool rather than a Planning tool, and I'm not sure it's suitable for that. /Møller |
#7
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I guess that the only other way to divide tasks up would be to split them into as many parts as needed. It would make things work (as such) in a programme.
If you used Work % complete, you would be able to allocate work against each split, and then use actual start/finish to give you the correct periods. I suspect this would get complicated very quickly, but it might be the solution that most closely matches the "Best solution" for the programme. at a more basic level (please don't take this as a criticism, I know what stats are like!) I would consider spending more time on phasing and initial programming. Dividing the works into smaller areas that are achievable would give an easier overall assessment of where you are, and a more viable method of marking work as it is completed. I split between live and tender work, and the value of a well prepared tender programme is huge when it gets to live status. Preparation is possibly the easiest implementation to the problem, but if this isn't possible, then the multi section tasks would probably be the easiest and most effective way forward. |
#8
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I found a way to track the progress so that MS Project show which days were worked using using Task Usage, but unfortunately that doesn't help much as I can't define the level of completion for a particular day.
/Møller |
#9
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Quote:
I'm not sure how detailing it further would help. Would you mind elaborating? /Møller |
#10
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Quote:
I've been thinking about this and what you are saying must imply that work is linear - correct? Let's say that you have to excavate a hole for e.g. a pool by hand. The work might involve x amount of hours work, however the production rate must be falling as it becomes more difficult to dig deeper. How does a person solve that? /Møller |
#11
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With regard to level of detail, generally I put in as much as is required at tender. depending on client and to an extent Project Manager our side, this is variable, but given the fact that programme is usually a markable item (and an important one) for most tenders it needs a fair bit.
I tend to break down works into areas, and programme each. Makes it a lot easier to know what you are referring to and where. If you have diversions or whatever, I would suggest breaking down the work into more summary activities- it gives clarity of intent, and indicates where the work is placed. As far as digging a hole goes, no task has constant outputs. Weather, amount of labour, plant, time of year, how people feel today, will all affect outputs. you are always looking to find the output that applies to the item you have- in your case, I would be looking at the steps involved, as much as anything. Topsoil strip, high level strip, place sheet piles, excavate to depth, time allowance for water extraction- all items thart would need to be considered. Sometimes trying to be too high level can make you lose sight of the fact that each task has a place- not a criticism by any means, but even if you dont want detail in th eprogramme, consider it so that you can make a good estimate. |
#12
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Would you care to share a tender programme? I'm curious as to the level of detail have you have there.
/Møller |
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