Microsoft Project 2003The Integrated Master Schedule Conundrum

MPA DC Metro Chapter MeetingSeptember 27, 2005

Using Master Projects in Microsoft Project

What is the Conundrum?

Not a puzzle … a feature!

What are Master Projects?

Small project schedules:– Increased computing

speed– File sharing less hassle– Faster printing

Large project schedules:– One file / schedule for

entire program– Master project schedules

can be multi-tiered

Consolidated related projectsConsolidated related projects

How are master projects created?Two Methods:– Window … New Window

Open all the files to be included in the master project

– Insert … ProjectSelect files one at-a-timeto create a master schedule

Task Informationbecomes Inserted ProjectInformation …Advanced Tab

Things to considerWho “owns” the master project / getting organized

Linked vs. unlinked

Read-only vs. Read-Write

Saving master schedule on Project Server vs. offline (e.g. laptop hard drive) … or not saving master schedules at all

Using master schedule to create task dependencies between projects

Using the Subproject Read Only, Subproject File, and External Task fields

Saving and Publishing to Project Server

Let’s take a quick look …

DemonstrationDemonstration1. Creating a master schedule (linked, not linked, R-O,

R-W)2. Publishing task assignments/reviewing resource

allocations3. Unlinking a schedule4. Creating task dependencies between schedules5. Using “master schedule” fields