Creating Relationships between Tasks with Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is a very useful software application, gathering project information, keeping track of project advancement, data tracking and analysis, reporting, data and resource leveraging, information access and more.
A very beneficial feature of Microsoft Project is the facility to create relationships between tasks. There are many advantages to using Microsoft Project to gain control and management over your current and future projects. In order to achieve all of the advantages of the functionality in the software, Microsoft Project Training is a must. To whet your appetite, the following is an overview of entering tasks and creating relationships between them.
First, a task must be created. Once completed in a project, linking tasks to display relationships creates dependencies. There are a number of ways to create task relationships. Naturally, when tasks are delineated, they are usually dependent on the preceding task. When Task 'A' is completed, Task 'B' begins, and so on. Microsoft Project, as a default, links task in this finish-to-start relationship. This default can be modified to suit your situation and how tasks should be related to fit your requirement.
Another link is a start-to-start relationship. This indicates the dependent task may not begin until the preceding task commences. The two tasks do not have to start simultaneously.
In a finish-to-finish link, the dependent task may not finish until the preceding task is completed. Both tasks do not have to finish simultaneously.
A start-to-finish link indicates the dependent task may not finish until the preceding task begins. The finish of the second task does not have to run concurrently with the commencement of the preceding task.
If tasks need to be inserted between or among tasks that have already been linked, it can occur automatically or not at all. To link the new task among the others, click the task you want the new task to precede, and choose New Task from the Insert menu. To add the task without linking, choose the task where the new one will occur simultaneously and drag the new one to a blank location in the Network Diagram.
By using the Gnatt Chart view, tasks may be related to one another. From view, choose Gnatt Chart. From the Task Name field, choose two or more tasks you desire to link, and in the order you want to link them. If you want the links to be nonadjacent links, hold the CTRL key while you choose the tasks you want to link. If you want the links to be adjacent links, hold the SHIFT key while you choose the first task and last task you want to link. Then choose Link Tasks from the menu.
The Network Diagram is very easy. From the View menu option, choose Network Diagram. With the pointer in the center of the preceding task, drag the task to the one that will follow it.
The Calendar View is just as simple. From the View menu option, choose Calendar. Place the pointer on the calendar bar of the preceding task, and drag the task to the calendar bar of the task that will follow it.
Finally, the auto-linking option, on by default, can be turned off, or on again. From Tools, choose Option, then the Schedule tab . Clear the Autolink Inserted or Moved Tasks checkbox to turn auto-linking off. To turn auto-linking on again, select the Autolink Inserted or Moved Tasks checkbox.
To learn more about the many benefits of Project 2007, choose our Microsoft Project 2007 Training and start organizing and managing your projects today.
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