Project Extras

Creating a Modified Constraint Dates Table

It is easier to analyze constraint conflicts if you modify the standard Constraint Dates table to include the Indicators, Predecessors, and Successors fields. The Indicators field allows you to see the Constraint conflict indicators (if Project is honoring task links instead of constraint dates). The Predecessors field allows you to identify the link(s) that conflict with the constraints in a fixed start-date project, and the Successors field serves the same function in a fixed finish-date project.

To customize the table, follow these steps:

1. In a task view such as the Gantt Chart view, right-click over the Select All cell (the table's upper-left cell over the ID number column) and choose More Tables from the shortcut menu.

2. In the Tables list in the More Tables dialog box, select Constraint Dates and click the Copy button.

3. In the Name box, change the name for the new table if desired.

4. To insert the Indicators field, click on the row below ID in the Field Name column and click the Insert Row tool to insert a blank row.

5. Select Indicators in the Name column. Press Enter to add the field.

6. Repeat step 5 in the blank rows at the bottom of the list of field names to add the fields Predecessors and Successors. You should change the Align Data entry to Left for both of these fields.

7. Fill the Show in Menu check box if you want this table to appear on the menu of table names.

8. Click OK to create the table and click Apply to display it.

Filtering for Missed Deadline Dates

The standard Tasks with Deadlines filter selects all tasks with deadline dates, whether the deadlines are missed or not. The deadline is missed when the task's Finish date is later than the date in the task's Deadline field.

To create a filter that selects only missed deadline dates, follow these steps:

1. Choose Project, Filtered For and select More Filters.

2. Select the Tasks with Deadlines filter name and choose the Copy button.

3. Type Missed Deadline Dates or another suitable name in the Name text box.

4. In the table of criteria, select the first blank cell on the second row (under the column named And/Or) and type and .

5. In the Field Name column, type Finish .

6. In the Test column, type is greater than .

7. In the Value(s) column, type [Deadline] .

8. Fill the Show in Menu check box if you want this filter on the Filtered For menu.

9. Click OK to complete the filter and click Apply if you want to apply it immediately.