Auto-Populate Dates

Question

Hello,

I am trying to have project tasks auto populate the start and end date based off of the project end date.

For example:

Go-Live Date: October 31st

Functional Testing: needs to be completed 30 days prior to end date (go-live date); takes 10 weeks to complete

• I would like the dates for functional testing to autopopulate based on the go-live date

Answer 1

Ashley,

You're welcome. If I answered your question, please consider marking my response as the answer.

As long as you have Project set for auto-scheduling and all your tasks are linked in a logical sequence of performance with appropriate dependencies, Project will automatically calculate the start and finish dates. Never directly enter dates as that sets a constraint and effectively negates Project's scheduling engine.

John

Answer 2

Thank you very much! We can definitely do it from the start date! We want to use our project plan as a template because all of our projects are a standard 16 weeks. So I was just trying to find a way that would auto populate dates based on the start or finish date.

Edit: How did you get the dates to autofill? Did you link the tasks together and then did the equation?

Ashley

Answer 3

anharris90,

Although scheduling from a finish date may seem like a logical approach when you have a fixed end date, in practicality, it is fraught with frustration. (Try to say that 10 times fast.)

However, assuming you have set the Project to schedule from the finish date and set the finish date as 10/31/19, this is one way to get there.

I think most of us who have worked with Project for years will suggest you always schedule in a forward manner (i.e. from the start date). Lay out the plan in a logical sequence. Does it meet the desired end date? If not, re-plan until it does, or, recognize the plan is simply not achievable.

Hope this helps.

John