ByIndex Associates

How do I add multiple/different information onto a Gantt bar?

You can format Gantt bars to show fields of information but the problem comes when you require more than one field of info'. Project 2000 also you to customise a set of fields specifically left for your own information.

Lets say we wish to show the total work done (planned) on a task as well as the resource names to the right of the task bar

• Via Tools/Customize/Fields menu call up the Customize Fields Dialog.
• In the Type combo box (top right) select the Text option
• Select Text 1 from the refreshed list (just below)
• Click the Rename button and give the field a meaningful name "ResAndTotalWork" - click the okay button
• Click the Formula button - if you are used to Excel or Access and creating formulae with the expression builders you’re away. Have a look at the Field and Formula buttons - you'll get the idea
• From the Field button choose Text then Resource Name - resource name now appears in top panel.
  We now need to string the resource work onto this
• Type the following - & " " & - (not the hyphens) that should be - space -the ampersand (and) symbol - space - double quote - space - double quote - space - ampersand symbol - space
• Again, from the Fields button choose Work then Work -you will need to edit your formula to read 
  
  [Resource Names] & " " & ([Work]/60)
• Click the Okay button twice to return to your Gantt chart
• To apply the new calculated field choose Format/Bar Styles menu option
• Select the Text tab - lower part of dialog
• By default the Right option has "Resource Names" against it, click here and to the right use the drop down arrow and select your new field it will read Text 1 (Your field name)
  This only applies it to non-critical bars, so if you are displaying the critical path use the upper panel - select Critical Tasks and repeat this step for each bar type you want to show this information.

The reason you needed to do the small edit is that once you start playing at this level you'll find that the time-phased fields are store in minutes, so we simply divided it by 60 to bring it back to an hourly figure.

Top 10 Project Management Problems : Defined by Artemis

Artemis Software has an on-line discussion of what they feel are the top 10 project management problems. The Artemis Press Release states in summary:

"Today, project management is used globally by multi-billion-dollar corporations, governments and small nonprofit organizations alike. There are myriad ways to fail. There are only a very few ways to succeed. The factors of successful project management have been documented for years - they merely need greater attention. Project management leadership is a highly sought-after skill, as global competition demands that new projects -small and large - be completed on time and within budget. As new and re-engineered enterprises emerge in the 21st century, it will be the project management professionals who will play an integral role in the ultimate success of their implementation".

The top 10, as listed in the Artemis Press Release are:

• Projects can't begin on time
• Project has vague requirements
• Project managers can't stay within project parameters
• Lack of strategic alignment
• Stakeholder management
• Communications breakdowns cause project goals to be unclear
• Staff gaps develop
• Project managers ignore approaching disaster
• Project teams skip test phase
• Fear about not sticking to the tried and true

For the Artemis discussion see http://www.artemisintl.com/lang_en/press_room/press_releases/top10_010907.asp