Creating a Task-Based Schedule

• Create a Project Schedule

• User-Controlled Scheduling
• Create and Modify a Project Task Structure
• Manage Multiple Projects

. 1
 Manually Scheduled vs. Auto Scheduled Tasks

For new tasks, you can select the New Tasks button in the status bar at the bottom of
the project file window.

For existing tasks, you can select the appropriate command from the Tasks group on
the Task tab of the ribbon.

. 2
 The Task Entry Table (1 of 2)

The default Gantt Chart view contains the Task Entry table at the left, which is the
main area where you can view, enter, and modify your project’s tasks.

. 3
 The Task Entry Table (2 of 2)

Task Entry Table Column Description

Displays the row number of the task in the Gantt Chart, which also corresponds to
Row Number the Task ID number for that task.
Displays icons that show the status of the task and pertinent information about the
Indicators task. For instance, if a task has a note associated with it, a note indicator will
appear in this column.
Task Mode Shows whether the task is a manually scheduled or auto scheduled task.

Task Name Displays a brief description of the task and the work to be done.
Displays how long a task will take to complete. By default, Project displays the
Duration duration in days, but you can specify minutes, hours, weeks, or even months as the
unit of time.
Start Displays the date when the task is supposed to begin.

Finish Displays the date when the task is supposed to be completed.

Displays the Task ID(s) of any other tasks on which the task is dependent upon for
Predecessors completion.

. 4
 The Task Information Dialog Box (1 of 2)

You can view and modify all of the information for the task from the six tabs within
the Task Information dialog box.

. 5
 The Task Information Dialog Box (2 of 2)

Tab Description
Where you can view and modify the task’s name, duration, schedule mode, start
General date and finish date. This information corresponds to the fields in the Task Entry
table.

Predecessors Where you can view all of the task’s predecessors, including their task ID, name,
and type.
Where you can view, enter, or modify the resources assigned to the task, including
Resources the resource’s name, the assignment owner, the number of assignment units
allocated to the task, and the costs associated with the resource.
Where you can view, enter or modify supplemental information about the task,
Advanced including its deadline, any constraints that might affect the task, the task type, the
calendars or work breakdown structure that the task is associated with, whether to
mark the task as a milestone, and more.
Where you can view, enter or modify any further information for the task that may
Notes
be useful, in the form of a text note.
Where you can view, enter or modify any custom data fields that have been
Custom Fields
created and associated with the task.

. 6
 Task Durations

In the Task Information dialog box, the Duration field shows the amount of time it
will take to complete the specific task.

. 7
 Dependencies (1 of 3)

A dependency—the relationships between a task and its predecessor—are displayed

on the Predecessors tab of the Task Information dialog box.

. 8
 Dependencies (2 of 3)

Dependency Description and Example

Finish-to-Start (FS) The predecessor task must end before the successor task can begin.
This is the default task relationship in Microsoft Project and the most
commonly used.

You have to finish priming your walls (Task A) before you can start
painting them (Task B).

Start-to-Start (SS) The predecessor task must begin before the successor task can begin.

You have to start printing a book (Task A) before you can start binding it
(Task B).

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 Dependencies (3 of 3)

Dependency Description and Example

Finish-to-Finish (FF) The predecessor task must end before the successor task can end.

You can’t finish rerouting traffic (Task A) until you finish working on the
road (Task B).

Start-to-Finish (SF) The predecessor task must begin before the successor task can end. In
this case, the predecessor task is later in time than the successor task.

The start of a movie (Task A) concludes the sale of tickets for it (Task B).

. 10
 Task Constraints

The task constraint parameters, used to control the start and finish dates for a task,
are selected from the Advanced tab of the Task Information dialog box.

. 11
 Deadlines (1 of 2)

Setting a deadline gives you a visual indicator in the Gantt chart —in the form of a
small green arrow—that you can use to easily monitor your progress.

. 12
 Deadlines (1 of 2)

You can set a deadline for a task on the Advanced tab of the Task Information dialog
box, by selecting the appropriate date from the Deadline field.

. 13
 How to Create a Project Schedule

The key pieces of information you need to complete your project plan are tasks. Here are the general
steps you will use to add tasks to a project; define relationships between tasks; change how a task is
scheduled; and set task constraints and deadlines. When you have completed these tasks, you will have
a project schedule.
Add a New Task
To add a new task:
1. Make sure you are in Gantt Chart view.
2. In the Task Entry table, find the cell in the first empty row of the Task Name column, and type the
name of the task in that cell.
Set a Task's Duration
To set the duration of task:
3. Make sure you are in Gantt Chart view.
4. In the Task Entry table, find the Duration column for the task you wish to modify, and enter the
number and unit, for example 1 day or 2 weeks.
5. To make the Duration an estimate, add a question mark, for example 1 day?
Link Tasks
To link tasks:
6. Make sure you are in Gantt Chart view.
7. In the Task Entry table, highlight the tasks you wish to link.
8. On the ribbon, in the Schedule group of the Task tab, select the Link the Selected Tasks button.

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 How to Create a Project Schedule

Define Task Relationships

To change the relationship type between a task and its predecessor:
1. Double-click the successor task in the Task Entry table.
2. In the Predecessors tab of the Task Information dialog box, select the predecessor task relationship you want to
change and select the appropriate relationship type.
Add Lag Time
To add lag time to linked tasks:
3. Double-click the successor task in the Task Entry table.
4. In the Predecessors tab of the Task Information dialog box, enter a positive value and the unit of time in the Lag
column, for example, 1 day to set a lag of one day.
Add Lead Time
To add lead time to linked tasks:
5. Double-click the successor task in the Task Entry table.
6. In the Predecessors tab of the Task Information dialog box, enter a negative value and the unit of time in the Lag
column, for example, -1 day to set a lead time of one day.
Set a Constraint on a Task
To set a constraint on a task:
7. Double-click the task to open the Task Information dialog box.
8. In the Advanced tab, select the desired constraint type, and in the Constraint date box, enter or select a date for
the constraint.
Set a Deadline for a Task
To set a deadline for a task:
9. Double-click the task to open the Task Information dialog box.
10.In the Advanced tab, enter or select a date for the deadline.

. 15
 Activity 2.1 Creating a Project Schedule
Data File

To complete this lab, you must first download the following data file: Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks.mpp
Scenario
Now that you have begun your project plan in Microsoft Project, you want to add some tasks to it.
Your project will have several phases, and you will add a few tasks in the first phase of the work. You
know how long each task should take, so you can add duration values to the plan at this time. You will
also link the tasks in the correct sequence and address special considerations (lag and lead time,
constraints, and deadlines) where they will apply.
1.Open the Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks.mpp project plan file.
2.Set Microsoft Project so all new tasks are automatically scheduled.
1. On the Status Bar at the bottom of the Gantt Chart, left-click New Tasks: Manually
Scheduled, and change it to New Tasks: Auto Scheduled.
3.Add the following tasks in the Gantt Chart.
1. In the Task Entry pane, in the Name field, enter the following tasks in the first four rows:
1. Determine sales objectives
2. Define launch timing and publicity objectives
3. Identify budget requirements
4. Obtain launch budget approval

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 Activity 2.1 Creating a Project Schedule
Data File

4.Add durations for each task.

1. In the Duration field for each task, enter the following values:
1. For the Determine sales objectives task, enter 3 days
2. For the Define launch timing and publicity objectives task, enter 3 days
3. For the Identify budget requirements task, enter 1 week?
4. For the Obtain launch budget approval task, enter 1 week
5.Link the tasks in a Finish-to-Start relationship.
2. Select all of the tasks you just entered.
3. In the Schedule group of the Task tab on the ribbon, select Link the selected tasks.
6.Change the relationship between Tasks 1 and 2 to Start-to-Start.
4. Open the Task Information dialog box for Task 2, Define launch timing and publicity
objectives, by selecting the task name, then selecting the Information button in the
Properties group of the Task tab.
5. In the Predecessors tab of the Task Information dialog box, select Determine sales
objectives and in the Type field, select Start-to-Start (SS).
7.Add a lag time between Tasks 3 and 4.
6. Open the Task Information dialog box for Task 4, Obtain launch budget approval, by
selecting the task name, then selecting the Information button in the Properties group of the
Task tab.
7. In the Predecessors tab of the Task Information dialog box, select Identify budget
requirements, and in the Lag column type 1d for a 1-day lag.

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 Activity 2.1 Creating a Project Schedule
Data File

8.Add a lead time between Tasks 2 and 3.

1. Open the Task Information dialog box for Task 3, Identify budget requirements, by selecting
the task name, then selecting the Information button in the Properties group of the Task tab.
2. In the Predecessors tab of the Task Information dialog box, select Define launch timing and
publicity objectives, and in the Lag column type -2d for a 2-day lead.
9.Set a constraint for Task 3.
3. Open the Task Information dialog box for Task 3, Identify budget requirements, by selecting
the task name, then selecting the Information button in the Properties group of the Task tab.
4. In the Advanced tab of the Task Information dialog box, change the Constraint type to Start
No Earlier Than, and set the Constraint date to 8/2/16
10.Set a deadline for Task 4.
5. Open the Task Information dialog box for Task 3, Identify budget requirements, by selecting
the task name, then selecting the Information button in the Properties group of the Task tab.
6. In the Advanced tab of the Task Information dialog box, set the Deadline to 8/19/16
11.Save the file as My_Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks

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 User-Controlled Scheduling

User-controlled scheduling allows you to enter tasks in manually scheduled mode,

with or without specific task information for durations, start dates, or end dates.

Instead, you can enter this information as text in order to create a schedule that is
more a documentation of estimations and assumptions, instead of a date-based plan.

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 Estimated Durations

If you don’t know a task’s true duration, you can enter your best guess at how long it
will take and then select the Estimated check box. A duration that has been estimated
will be shown with a question mark.

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 Warnings and Suggestions

From the Inspect command drop-down, you can choose to:

• Show Warnings: displays a warning icon in the Indicators field or some other
visual notification (such as a red squiggle) for tasks that have problems that may
potentially affect the project’s finish date.
• Show Suggestions: displays a suggestion icon in the Indicators field or some other
visual notification (such as a green  squiggle) for tasks that have potential minor
issues or where optimizations could be made to improve the schedule.
• Show Ignored Problems: displays a half-shaded warning icon in the Indicators field
for tasks that have warnings or suggestions that have been previously ignored.

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 How to Create a User-Controlled Schedule

By default, Microsoft Project sets all tasks to the manually-scheduled mode. Here are the
general steps you will perform to change the scheduling mode of tasks.
Change the Scheduling Mode for a Task
To change a task from manually-scheduled to auto-scheduled, and the reverse, follow these steps
while in the Gantt Chart view:
1. Select the name of the task you wish to change.
2. From the Tasks group on the Task tab of the ribbon, change the mode to the scheduling mode
you want the task to adopt, either Manually Schedule or Auto Schedule.
Change the Scheduling Mode for All New Tasks
To change the scheduling mode for all new tasks:
3. On the status bar at the bottom of the Gantt Chart, left-click the New Tasks button and select
Auto Scheduled.
Change the Default Project Setting So All New Projects Are Auto-Scheduled
To change the scheduling mode for all new projects:
4. Select the File tab, then Options, and then Schedule Options.
5. Click the drop-down arrow next to Scheduling options for this project, and select All new
projects.
6. Beneath this, change New tasks created to Auto Scheduled, and click OK to close Project
Options.

. 22
 Activity 2.2 Creating a Project Plan with User-Controlled Scheduling

Before You Begin

Microsoft Project is open.
Scenario
You are becoming more familiar with user-controlled-scheduling, and you want to experiment with it
before applying it to the Trey Slide Presenter project. You remember that by default all tasks in
Microsoft Project are set to Manually Scheduled, which means that when you add a new task,
Microsoft Project does not set dates and durations for it. The Project Management Office (PMO) at Trey
Research has created a small file for you to work with. The tasks are presently Manually Scheduled, and
some of the tasks should become Auto Scheduled. You also want to change the default setting in
Microsoft Project so all new projects are Auto Scheduled.
1.Open the file named New_Widget_Project from the Create a Project Schedule folder. Note that
some of the fields have data in them and others do not, and that some fields have text instead of dates
or numbers. This is a feature of Manually Scheduled tasks.
2.Link the tasks.
1. Select the first task name in the Task Entry table, hold the Shift key and select the last task
name.
2. In the Schedule group of the Task tab select the Link the Selected tasks button. The duration
and dates fields will then be populated, but the tasks will still be Manually Scheduled.

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 Activity 2.2 Creating a Project Plan with User-Controlled Scheduling

4. Change the scheduling mode of the Design task.

1. Select the Design task name, and in the Properties group of the Task tab select Information.
2. In the General tab, change the Schedule Mode to Auto Scheduled. The color of the Gantt bar
will change to a different shade of blue.
5.Change the scheduling mode of the Marketing task in the same manner, and note that the values in
the Duration and Date fields have changed.
6.Change the scheduling mode for all new tasks to Auto Scheduled.
1. On the Status Bar at the bottom of the Gantt Chart, select New Tasks: Manually Scheduled
and change it to New Tasks: Auto Scheduled.
7.Add a new task at the end of the project.
1. In the first blank row of the Task Entry table, enter the name Production
8.Change the default scheduling mode for all new projects to Auto Scheduled.
1. Select the File tab, then Options, and then Schedule Options.
2. Click the drop-down arrow next to Scheduling options for this project, and select All new
projects.
3. Beneath this, change New tasks created to Auto Scheduled, and click OK to close Project
Options.
9.Save the file as My_New_Widget_Project and close it.

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 Summary Tasks and Subtasks

Summary tasks are bold in Subtasks are indented in Summary tasks are bracketed
the task list. the task list. in the Gantt Chart.

Summary tasks can be Summary tasks can also be made into

expanded to show subtasks. subtasks of a higher-level summary task.

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 The Project Summary Task

The project summary task

appears as the first task in
the task list, or Task 0.

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 Outline Numbers

Summary tasks and

subtasks are assigned an
outline number, in a
decimal hierarchy
numbering scheme.

. 27
 Milestone Tasks

A milestone task typically has a

duration of zero days and is indicated
by a diamond in the Gantt chart.

. 28
 Task Notes

Notes can be added for a

task on the Notes tab, in
the Notes field. They can be
typed, copied/pasted, or
inserted from another
document.

Tasks that have notes are

indicated by a note icon in
the Indicators column.

. 29
 How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure

Here are the general steps you will use to create a work breakdown structure. All of the
steps assume that you are in the Gantt Chart view.
Rearrange Tasks
To rearrange tasks on the task list:
1.Select the task(s) you want to move.
2.Drag and drop the task(s) to their new location.
Insert a Summary Task
To insert a summary task:
3.In the left pane, select the row(s) of one or more tasks that you want to become
subtasks of the new summary task.
4.On Task tab of the ribbon, select Insert Summary Task.
5.In the Task Entry table, replace the text <New Summary Task> with your desired name
for the summary task.
Indent Tasks
To indent tasks so they are subtasks of a Summary Task:
6.In the Task Entry table, select the task numbers or task names of the tasks that you
want indented.
7.In the Schedule group of the Task tab, select the Indent Task button.

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 How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure

Insert a Milestone
To insert a milestone:
1.In the left pane, select the row of the task immediately below the point where
you want to insert the milestone.
2.On the Task tab of the ribbon, select Insert Milestone.
3.In the Task Entry table, replace the text <New Milestone> with your desired
name for the milestone.
Add Text to a Task Note
To add text to a note:
4.Double-click the task to open the Task Information dialog box.
5.In the Notes tab, type and format your desired text.
Show the Project Summary Task
To show the project summary task:
6.On the ribbon, select the Format contextual tab.
7.In the Show / Hide group, check the Project Summary Task check box.

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 Activity 2.3 Creating a Work Breakdown Structure Data File:

To complete this lab, you must first download the following data file:
Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_a.mpp
Scenario
A member of your project team has begun to list the tasks for your project. She
has entered the first two phases of work into Microsoft Project, and you need
to make some changes so that the work will flow smoothly.
1.Open the file.
1. From the Create a Project Schedule folder, open
Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_a.mpp.
2.Rearrange the task list.
1. Select the row for the Define press release requirements task.
2. Drag the selected task up until it is between Kickoff product launch and
Define sales presentation.
3.Insert a summary task.
1. Select row numbers 9-12.
2. In the Insert group of the Task tab, select Summary.
3. Replace the placeholder text <New Summary Task> with Marketing

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 Activity 2.3 Creating a Work Breakdown Structure Data File:

4. Insert a milestone.
1. Select the task named Phase 2 – Detailed Planning.
2. In the Insert group of the Task tab, select Milestone.
3. Replace the placeholder text <New Milestone> with High-Level Planning
Complete
5. Indent tasks so they are subtasks of a summary task.
1. Select the tasks named Identify budget requirements and Obtain launch budget
approval.
2. In the Schedule group of the Task tab, select Indent Task.
6. Add text to a task note.
1. Select the Engineering task.
2. In the Properties group of the Task tab, select Information.
3. In the Notes area on the Notes tab, enter Engineering has its own set of plans
that it will follow and select OK.
7. Show the Project Summary Task.
1. On the ribbon, select the Format tab.
2. In the Show / Hide group, select the Project Summary Task check box.
8. Save the file as My_Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_a.mpp

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 Schedule Options

Before you insert any new tasks into an existing task list, you should modify the schedule
options for the project to ensure that new tasks are properly scheduled.

New tasks should be auto

scheduled when they are
inserted.

New or moved tasks should be

autolinked so Microsoft Project
will manage the dependencies
between tasks.

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 Insert Task Options

From the Insert Task command drop-down, you can:

• Select Recurring Task to insert a repeating task, such as a task that you want to
occur on a certain day each month.
• Select Blank Row to insert blank rows into your task list to separate tasks from one
another.
• Select Import Outlook Tasks to convert a task that was created in Microsoft
Outlook into a Microsoft Project task.

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 Inactive Tasks

An inactive task is a task that is no longer needed in the project plan, but does not affect
resource availability or the project schedule.

When you make a task inactive, the task stays in the task list but the text is greyed out
and crossed out in strikethrough format.

You can mark a task as inactive either in the Task Information dialog box or by selecting
the Inactivate command from the Schedule command group on the Task tab.

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 The Update Project Dialog Box

If a delay occurs in your project and you need to reschedule tasks accordingly in your
project plan, you can specify the date after which work can resume in the in the
Reschedule uncompleted work to start after field in the Update Project dialog box.

. 37
 Split Tasks

When you split a task in Microsoft Project using the

Split Task command, the task bar in the Gantt chart
is split into two pieces with a dotted line
connecting the two halves of the split task.

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 The Move Command

To move a task forward or backward in the scheduled or reschedule a task when resources
are available, select the appropriate option from the Move command drop-down.

. 39
 How to Modify a Work Breakdown Structure

Here are the general steps you will use to modify a work breakdown structure.
Set Schedule Options for Automatic Management
To set the scheduling options so that Microsoft Project helps you manage the
schedule for modified and inserted tasks:
1.In the File tab, select Options.
2.In the Project Options dialog box, select the Schedule tab.
3.In the Scheduling options for this project section, in the New tasks created
drop-down list, ensure that Auto Scheduled is selected, and ensure that the
Autolink inserted or moved tasks check box is checked.
Insert a New Task into an Existing Task List
To insert a new task into an existing task list:
4.Select the task below the row where you want to insert the new task.
5.On the Task tab, Insert Task.
6.In the Task Entry table, update the fields for the new task as needed.
Mark a Task Inactive
To mark an existing task as inactive:
7.Select the task that you want to mark inactive.
8.In the Schedule group of the Task tab, select Inactivate.
.
9.In the Task Entry table, verify that the task appears crossed out. 40
 How to Modify a Work Breakdown Structure

Reschedule Incomplete Work

To reschedule incomplete work:
1.Select the tasks for which you want to reschedule incomplete work.
2.In the Status group of the Project tab, select Update Project.
3.In the Update Project dialog box, select the Reschedule uncompleted work to start after
radio button and then select the date on which you want the work to resume.
4.Select the Selected Tasks radio button, and Select OK to apply the changes and close the
Update Project dialog box.
Manually Split a Task
To control how a task is split:
5.Select the task that you want to split. Ensure that you can see the task in the Gantt chart
pane and set the zoom level so that you can see the entire task.
6.In the Schedule group on the Task tab, select Split Task.
7.In the Gantt Chart pane, select the place in the bar for the task where you want to create
the split, then drag the split bar to the new starting date.
Move a Task
To move a task:
8.Select the task that you want to move.
9.In the tasks group of the Task pane, select Move.
10.In the menu, select how you want to move the task.
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 Activity 2.4 Modifying a Work Breakdown Structure

Data File:
To complete this lab, you must first download the following data file:
Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_b.mpp
Scenario
Your team has made progress on the Work Breakdown Structure, by adding durations and links to the
tasks. You need to make some changes to your Work Breakdown Structure, as it is still a work in
progress. You will add a new task in the middle of the project, mark a task inactive because you do
not think you will need to perform it, split a task into two separate pieces, and move a task forward
by a day. You also want to learn how to reschedule incomplete work, although you will not need to
do this until the project is underway.
1.Open the file.
1. Open the file named Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_b.mpp from the Create a Project
Schedule folder.
2.Insert a new task into the existing task list.
1. Select the Phase 3 - Execution task name.
2. In the Insert group on the Task tab, select Task.
Note: The new task will appear immediately above the task Phase 3 – Execution, and it will
be linked in a Finish-to-Start relationship with Plan team staffing to support sales goals and
Evaluate market and refine messaging.
3. Replace the <New Task> placeholder with the text Detailed Planning Complete
4. Set the Duration to 0 days, to make the task a milestone.

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 Activity 2.4 Modifying a Work Breakdown Structure

3. Mark the Define internal communication needs task as inactive.

1. Select the Define internal communication needs task.
2. On the Schedule group on the Task tab, select Inactivate. The task name and associated
Gantt bar will have a strikeout line through them, and the linking of the tasks will be
updated to reflect that this task will not be done.
4.Manually split the Obtain launch budget approval task to have a one-day delay that will occur two
days after the task begins.
1. Select the Obtain launch budget approval task.
2. In the Schedule group of the Task tab, select Split task.
3. In the Gantt Chart pane, select the place in the bar where the split will occur, Friday
8/12/2016.
5.Move the Define sales presentation task.
1. Select the Define sales presentation task.
2. In the Tasks group of the task tab, select Move Task, and then select Move Task Forward 1
day.
6.Save the file as My_Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_b.mpp
7.Reschedule incomplete work.
1. Select the Define sales presentation task.
2. In the Schedule group of the Task tab, select 50%. The Gantt bar for the task will be dark
blue for 2 days (50% of the duration).
3. In the Status group of the Project tab, select Update Project.
4. In the Update Project window, select Reschedule uncompleted work to start after and
. enter 8/25/2016. The task will then appear with a one-day split. 43
 Master Projects and Subprojects

To link a subproject to a master project, select

the Insert Subproject command from the Insert
command group on the Project tab.

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 Insert Subproject Options (1 of 2)

In the Insert Project dialog box, you will select the file that you want to insert as a
subproject and then choose how to link the subproject file and master project file.

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 Insert Subproject Options (2 of 2)

Option Description
Establishes a two-way link between the subproject and the master project.
Link to project and Insert Changes made in either file will be updated in the other file.

Link to project and Insert Establishes a one-way link between the subproject and the master project.
Read-Only Changes made in the subproject file will be updated in the master project file, but
changes made in the master project file will not be updated in the subproject file.
Does not establish a link between the subproject and master project. Instead, a
Insert copy of the subproject data is simply inserted into the master project file, and
changes made in either file will not be updated in the other file.

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 The Link Between Projects Dialog Box

The Link Between Projects

dialog box shows that there
is a Finish-to-Start (FS)
dependency between the
Deployment complete task
in another project and the
Review preliminary software
specifications task in the
open project.

. 47
 How to Link Project Plans

Here are the general steps you will take to link projects to one another.
Insert a Subproject into a Master Project
To insert a subproject into a master project:
1.Make sure you are in a task-related view.
2.In the Insert group of the Project tab on the ribbon, select the Insert Subproject
button.
3.Navigate to the location of the subproject file and select it to insert it.
Create a Dependency Between Tasks in Different Subprojects
To create a dependency between tasks in different subprojects:
4.Make sure both subprojects are inserted into the master project.
5.Expand both subprojects to display the tasks comprising each project.
6.Select the task in one subproject that you wish to be the predecessor.
7.While holding the Ctrl key, select the task in the other subproject that you wish to be
the successor.
8.In the Schedule group of the Task tab on the ribbon, select the Link the Selected Tasks
button.

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 Activity 2.5 Linking Project Plans

Data Files:
To complete this lab, you must first download the following data file:
My_Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_a.mpp
Contractor_Selection.mpp
Scenario
You have decided to use a contractor for the engineering phase of your Trey Slide Presenter project, and
the Trey Research PMO has made available a Microsoft Project file that contains the steps to select such a
contractor. You want to incorporate these steps into your project, and you decide to create a master
project that includes two sub-projects, the slide presenter project and the contractor selection project.
1.Create a new blank project and set it up for your use.
1. From the New page, select Blank Project.
2. Set the project’s scheduling mode and start date.
1. From the Project tab on the ribbon, select Project Information. Set the Start date to August
1, 2016
2. Ensure that the Schedule from drop-down list is set to Project Start date.
3. Select OK.
3. Set the Task Mode so all new tasks are auto scheduled.
1. On the Status Bar below the Gantt Chart, select New Tasks: Manually Scheduled and
change it to New Tasks: Auto Scheduled.
4. Show the Project Summary Task.
1. On the ribbon, select the Format tab.
2. In the Show/Hide group, select the Project Summary Task check box.
.
5. Save the file in the Create a Project Schedule folder, and name it 49
My_Trey_Slide_Presenter_with_Contractor.mpp
 Activity 2.5 Linking Project Plans

My_Trey_Slide_Presenter_with_Contractor.mpp
2. Insert two subprojects into the master project you just created.
1. Insert the first subproject into the master project.
1. Select the Task Name cell in the first blank row below the Project Summary task.
2. In the Insert group of the Project tab, select Subproject.
3. If necessary, navigate to the Create a Project Schedule folder and insert the file
Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_a.mpp.
4. Expand the tasks in the subproject by selecting the open triangle next to the Task Name in the second
row.
2. Insert the second subproject into the master project.
1. Select the Engineering task name in the task list.
2. In the Insert group of the Project tab, select Subproject.
3. From the Create a Project Schedule folder, insert the file Contractor_Selection.mpp.
4. Select the Contractor_Selection task name, and in the Schedule group of the Task tab, select the green
Outdent arrow.
5. Expand the tasks in the subproject by selecting the open triangle next to Contractor_Selection task
name in the second row. The subproject is then parallel to the Marketing and Engineering summary
tasks, and below the Define internal communications needs task.
3.Create dependencies between tasks in different projects.
1. Select the Define internal communication needs task name, hold the Control key, and select the Write
Statement of Work task name.
2. In the Schedule group of the Task tab, select the Link the Selected Tasks button.
3. Select the Select contractor task name, hold the Control key, and select the Align product release timing with
marketing plan task name.
4. In the Schedule group of the Task tab, select the Link the Selected Tasks button.
4.Save the file, but do not save changes to My_Trey_Slide_Presenter_Tasks_a.mpp or to Contractor_Selection.mpp.
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 End of Task-Based Schedule

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