Lesson12.3.Viewing Critical Paths for Multiple Projects

Lesson 12.3. Viewing Critical Paths for Multiple Projects

Figure 12-5. The Calculation tab of the Options dialog box.

Figure 12-6. The consolidated project in Detail Gantt view.

As you probably learned in the earlier stages of managing a Project file, it is important to monitor the critical path for a project. Likewise, it is important to keep an eye on multiple critical paths in a consolidated project, so you will be able to tell if adjustments made to the project plans will affect the critical paths. This lesson will teach you how to view multiple critical paths and then view the overall critical path across projects.

1. Select Tools The Options dialog box appears.

2. Click the Calculation tab.

   Next, choose to calculate multiple critical paths.

3. Check the Calculate multiple critical paths checkbox, as shown in Figure 12-5, and click OK.

   Now let's view the multiple critical paths.

4. Select View The More Views dialog box appears. Find the Detail Gantt view.

5. Select the Detail Gantt view and click Apply.

   Now you should be able to see the multiple critical paths, as shown in Figure 12-6.

6. Click the Go To Selected Task button on the Standard toolbar.

   Scroll down and to the right to see the critical paths of all the projects in this consolidated project. The projects are indicated by an embedded project icon in the summary task's Indicators field.

7. Select View The consolidated project appears in the default Gantt Chart view once again.

QUICK REFERENCE

TO VIEW CRITICAL PATHS FOR MULTIPLE PROJECTS:

1. OPEN A CONSOLIDATED PROJECT FILE.

2. SELECT TOOLS

   CLICK THE CALCULATION TAB.

3. CHECK CALCULATE MULTIPLE CRITICAL PATHS AND CLICK OK.

4. SELECT VIEW

   SELECT THE DETAIL GANTT VIEW AND CLICK APPLY.