Re: Master Snapshot Linking/Unlinking

Hi Rod,
And thank you for the great explanation on the resource pool. I have already
started making my first resource pool, inputting just the people's names, etc
and saving it just "pool".

I do understand keeping all these files on the same drive. So please allow
me to do a "dry here" to see if I have it right:
Let's say I have projects #1, 2, 3 and 4 and my resource pool file.
Normally, I save those to my C drive. And then I can create a master with 1,
2, 3, 4 and pool as sub-resource. I will "link" those so I can do "dynamic"
changes on a constant basis. Then, when the Executives need it, I can create
a separate master UNLINKED (as a snapshot) or do some printable reports.

Does that sound like I'm on the right track?

As long as I know I'm on the right path, I know that I will be able to do
all the right steps... but... save all my files to my folder on the "N drive"
on our network.

Thank you again for your help. It's very appreciated!
avimia



"Rod Gill" wrote:

Hi,

I strongly recommend keeping master projects and resource pools in the same
drive as the projects. This should significantly reduce corruptions due to
network glitches.

To create a Pool, simply list all resources, rates calendar details etc in
one project and save to same drive as other projects. Do not use the master
or enter any tasks into it.

Open other projects then share resources. Save BOTH as only saving one rolls
the dice again.

Be VERY very careful of linked files: corruptions can happen one week, yet
take several weeks before the problem appears. In the mean time, your
backups are full of corrupted versions, which is why I strongly recommend
not linking and using new master projects each week.

Save Views, tables etc to Global.mpt using the Organizer and printing etc is
easy.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com



"avimia" <avimia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:FE6DCB1E-BEEF-4EA6-93AF-FAC4FA15B88C@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello all,

Wow! thank you for the wonderful input. This helps me tremendously.

It also leads me to 2 new questions please:

1.) I understand being extremely careful of renaming/moving/deleting files
so not to mess up my master. However, I'm also a huge fan of
backup/backup/backup. Now... fortunately... we have a full blown IT
department with tons of backups and redundancy. So... my question is this:

?? When I create my new master, or each day when I am working in it or my
subprojects, and I go to save it... am I ok to save it directly to my
(own)
folder on the network (I can protect the file so no one can get it in it).
just wondered if Project will let me save it any other place than on my
own
harddrive.

Ok, so on to my last question: And, please pardon my ignorance. But, what
is
the quickest way to create a resource pool? I have looked and looked
through
all the help files and it just doesn't quite make sense. I am asking if
there's a quick way to do this because you have to remember that I have
not
YET built any of the projects or the master. So, I don't have any
resources
put in to anything yet. Is it possible to just create a new project and
just
put all my (human) resources in to it and use it as my "pool"? I ask
because... there will be over 50 different people I have to list (ug).

I truly appreciate everyone's help. I am ol' pro at project management,
but
I'm still new to the whole MS Project thing.

Thanks again,
avimia



"Rod Gill" wrote:

My usual caution here:

Links between master and sub-projects, projects and resource pools are
fragile. Anytime you rename, move or over-write any of the files without
first breaking the link and you throw the dice. It's when, not if you get
one or more file corruptions. I've also now found that any network glitch
can also cause a problem.

In your scenario, why not create a new master file each week but when you
inert each project clear the Link option. Now all data is copied to the
master (no link) and all resource data is automatically consolidated.

Make this even faster by recording a macro of you doing this manually.
Make
sure the first recorded instruction is file,new!

As projects finish, simply delete the line of code for that project:
easy!

These snapshots also provide a great audit trail over time as well.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com



"avimia" <avimia@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1F7BA80A-B835-4857-BAB3-72E08D753370@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello experts,

These questions relate to doing a master project linking/unlinked
(snapshot).

My scenario and questions are this:

1.) I am going to have to create a master project with about 25
sub-projects
within it at any single time (sub projects will fall off after
completion).
Most all the projects will have shared (human) resources. I am using
Project
Pro 2007 (no server). I am the only person managing it all. At this
point,
I
am thinking that inserting and LINKING the subs into the master will be
the
best solution (in helping me with the constant updates to each sub).
However,
having the foresight to know the Executives will really only need a
"snapshot" during their meetings (which is normally weekly), this means
I
do
NOT need to do a linked master/sub set up. This is especially the case
since
each week, I am required to email the updated "report" for them to see
each
week (before their meetings). So, I'm trying to understand how I can
accomplish both scenarios. So:

?? - Is it a situation where I will create my inserted/LINKED set up,
but
then once-a-week re-do (something?) to create only a snapshot for the
meetings?


2.) This deals with "archiving" my sub projects. As I mentioned above,
my
master list (linked) will have about 25 sub projects going on at any
one
time. And, as the projects are completed, I want them to "fall off" my
Master
(so that 5 years from now, I don't have a bloated system). However... I
can
also see the importance of having "historical" data as it will never
fail
that a "finished" project will need to be reviewed for whatever
reasons.
So,
I'm trying to understand how/what is the best way to save/archive those
projects which are completed and will "fall off". Any ideas are greatly
appreciated.

Thank you!
avimia
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