MS Project - Tasks not scheduling

Question

I have a schedule I created and I am trying to update the dates to use it for another project. All activities are assigned appropriate pred. and succ. They are all also set to auto schedule. When I move the first activity, the other activities do not follow suit. I am trying to change the first activity in sequence to begin earlier, and when I move it, none of the others follow suit as they should because of the appropriate relationships I have set.

See photo: Demolition is the task I moved back. Shouldn't the successor fall back along with it and all of that activities successors and so on...?

Answer 1

Matt Martinez1,

In addition to Dale's questions, is the calculation option set to "on"? And, so any tasks have an actual start date? If File > Options > Schedule group > Calculation is "off" or tasks have progress (i.e. actual start), those tasks won't move.

Note, even though you are set for auto-scheduling, if you entered any start dates manually, Project will automatically set a "start-no-earlier-than" constraint.

Just curious, all your activities are for last year, so why are do you want to move the schedule back?

John

Answer 2

Matt --

Are the tasks Auto Scheduled or Manually Scheduled? The behavior you are describing sounds like you are using Manually Scheduled tasks, which is something I recommend you DO NOT use. Or, do any of the successor tasks have a Start No Earlier Than constraint applied? That could also explain the behavior you are seeing. Let us know and we will try to help you.

Answer 3

They do have a "start no earlier than" constraint. I fixed it with one and it fell into it's proper place. Is there a way for me to quickly change them all to "as soon as possible" ?

Answer 4

Hi John, I believe you and Dale were right, it was a constraint issue. I am creating the schedule for a new project which has already begun. It is a template I have off another job, so it has every activity from day one. Thanks for your help!

Answer 5

Matt Martinez,

You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.

To fix all tasks, select all tasks and go to the Task Information window and select the Advanced tab. Select the Constraint Type to "As soon as possible". Hit "OK".

John