Microsoft Project uses Task types when scheduling the project. Task types are important to understand, to understand how the Project deals with different fields when scheduling the project. One important thing to remember is, Task types apply to Automatic Scheduled tasks only.
Fixed Duration, Fixed Units and Fixed Work are three different Task types, we can see in Microsoft Project. We can set these types, to Auto Scheduled tasks. Depending on the Task type, Project will determine how the Project fields (Duration, Work & Resource Names (or Units)) will behave, during the project schedule. Through this article, using the below table, we will look at how these fields behave when the Task type is set.
| Task Type | Fields > | Duration | Work | Units |
Fixed Duration | – | Input (when we modify its value) | Project calculates (its value) |
Fixed Duration | – | Project calculates | Input |
Fixed Work | Input | – | Project calculates |
Fixed Work | Project calculates | – | Input |
Fixed Units | Project calculates | Input | – |
Fixed Units | Input | Project calculates | – |
From the above table, for example, when Fixed Duration is set for an Automated Scheduled Task, when the “Work” value is modified, Project calculates the “Units” value, keeping the “Duration” value constant.
The project allows setting the Task type of a Task from the “Task Information” dialog. Go to the “Advanced” tab and set the “Task type:” field with a proper value that is suitable to your project Task.
<< Marco