Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt View
Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt View
(OP)
Hi Group,
Why does Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt views have radically different views? Also, why does one need individual headers & footers between to the 2 different style views?
I'm desperately trying to show the planned vs. actual project plan, but every time I adjust a date, it gives me something that I don't want!!
I have some dates that should be fixed because those tasks were already completed while others I'm trying to complete by a specified target date. A momentarily have desired dates in, but if I modify another task, it's radically changing it. I expect this a little bit, but not an additional year, which sometimes the results I'm getting.
Thanks
Why does Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt views have radically different views? Also, why does one need individual headers & footers between to the 2 different style views?
I'm desperately trying to show the planned vs. actual project plan, but every time I adjust a date, it gives me something that I don't want!!
I have some dates that should be fixed because those tasks were already completed while others I'm trying to complete by a specified target date. A momentarily have desired dates in, but if I modify another task, it's radically changing it. I expect this a little bit, but not an additional year, which sometimes the results I'm getting.
Thanks
RE: Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt View
Right click on an empty place within the Gantt chart(s) and choose Bar Styles...
There you will see the different bars. Remember that all rows are evaluated and the next one will be drawn on top of previous ones if they satisfy the rules. All conditions are flags being TRUE or FALSE.
If you want to see both planned and actual you should save a Baseline [under Tracking.. in MS Project 2003 and 2007]
The (standard) Tracking Gantt will show Actual above and Baseline below.
I am not sure what you don't want to see. If you would use Predecessors and Successors, which you should do when using the power of MS Project, it is quite naturally that a task will move if its (latest) Predecessor will finish on a different date than planned. This if you use a Starting date for the complete project, something I absolutely recommend. Don't fall into the trap to use a fixed Finish Date as this will remove any possible slack. It may often be wise to use Deadlines rather than fixed Finish Dates [such as: Must Finish on ...] The Baseline will not change as long you are not (partially) updating it.
Does this help you a little bit? Else upload a (small) sample file and a clear explanation of your problem(s).
Why an easy solution if you can make it complicated?
Greetings from the Netherlands
RE: Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt View
Perhaps to some, having this extra flexibility between the various Gantt views is advantageous. At least for the Header & Footer areas, it's annoying, but manageable if one wants the same header & footer.
For the primary Gantt Chart & Tracking Gantt views, MS Project seems to give radically different perspectives in some instances, I think it's misleading.
It's a little hard to explain here, I'll provide some pictures later.
Thanks....
RE: Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt View
I'd say using a template would be your best bet and if you need a generic model of a template feel free to pm me, I'd gladly provide you something to work from and we can share ideas if that would be helpful.
Regards,
Brett
RE: Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt View
I'm stuck with MS Project 2007 & find it very cumbersome sometimes to "control" my plan, kind of REDDesign09 has stated.
With the company I work for, we seem to "plan" throughout the whole duration of the project & because of this, I can never seem to get a good baseline to establish. Other than showing precedents well, if one has a good Excel template, then Excel seems to be a lot better.
RE: Gantt Chart View vs. Tracking Gantt View
Why an easy solution if you can make it complicated?
Greetings from the Netherlands