Rescheduling the Entire Project

[p_davis]

Hi folks:

As I have recently moved from a PC to Mac, I've just begun evaluating OminPlan and can't seem to figure out what should be simple.

Let's say I've entered all the tasks and duration info in a project, but now I want to start the project on a different day. Is there any way to select all the tasks and move them without messing with the dependency functions?

Thanks.

[coconino]

Select all tasks and then use Reschedule button (toolbar) or shift-cmd-R.

[p_davis]

Select all tasks and then use Reschedule button (toolbar) or shift-cmd-R.
Thanks, but I've tried that. When I do it, ALL the tasks move to the new start date, except the first one that extends from the old start date to the new one. They do not keep their relative position.

Also, I can't seem to reschedule backwards - a date previous to the original start date.

[Lizard]

coconino: Reschedule is for when you've made your plan, and worked on it for a few weeks, then realize some tasks are behind schedule. It slides them forward so that their incomplete portions start on or after the current date.

p_davis: I think you really want the start date in the project information inspector. You can set a specific date, or use an "Unspecified Start Date", so times will be labeled "T + 1 day", "T + 2 months", etc.

[p_davis]

p_davis: I think you really want the start date in the project information inspector. You can set a specific date, or use an "Unspecified Start Date", so times will be labeled "T + 1 day", "T + 2 months", etc.
Thanks...but I need to work in real dates. Once I change to an unspecified date, I don't seem to be able to assign a new start date. Is there a way to do that?

Are you saying that tasks just can't simply be selected and moved keeping their relative position to eachother?

[dejongj]

How I normally do that is indeed by having predecessors defined (or dependencies as Omniplan calls them), that 1) allows for highlighting the critical path, but also when you have a milestone date that 'starts' it you only have to change that date and everything else gets 'rescheduled'...

I think that from a project management perspective that approach makes sense, as it is a pretty big decision to make to shift everything, so worthy of a mile-stone!

[coconino]

coconino: Reschedule is for when you've made your plan, and worked on it for a few weeks, then realize some tasks are behind schedule. It slides them forward so that their incomplete portions start on or after the current date.

Well, I didn't post without testing it and when I tested it it worked for me. I opened a plan which had no items completed, selected all, hit reschedule and picked a date. The plan moved to start on the new date, with all the dependencies and relationships intact. YMMV.

[geoffc]

Hi folks:
Let's say I've entered all the tasks and duration info in a project, but now I want to start the project on a different day. Is there any way to select all the tasks and move them without messing with the dependency functions?


I'm not in front of my Mac right now, but you could probably do this with AppleScript, or possibly with Automator. It's not an ideal answer (more work than it should be) but it seems do-able.

[p_davis]

...you could probably do this with AppleScript, or possibly with Automator. It's not an ideal answer (more work than it should be) but it seems do-able.
LOL

Thanks, but when I'm evaluating software for purchase, that's the kind of phrase that tells me I need to move on!

[countrymac]

I am working on migration schedules across the globe and everything is focused on the DayOne date (which is the day the customers come in and work in the new environment).

All my tasks are leading up to this point.
So Task1 is -60days prior to DayOne, Task2 is -32days prior to DayOne, Task3 is -30 days prior to DayOne, etc...

I basically have been creating a template/group of tasks for each region (North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe) and then I copy those tasks for each branch we are migrating just changing the name and the DayOne date.

How can I get all my tasks to shift based just on the DayOne date changing?

[ajrichardson]

In my experience this is a common scenario - you think the project is going to start on a specific date so build the project that way, then it moves... So I think it has to be realistically dealt with.

A work-around is to switch the project to start on an unspecified date, and then switch it back to a specified date, which will update it to today's date, and then make changes from there. It won't keep everything relatively aligned, but it seems to work better than just switching the date without the intermediate step.

I just tried setting a new start date for a project which has a combination of tasks that are set to specific dates and others which are based on dependencies. When I move the start date into the future the tasks with dependencies seem to move OK, but some of the ones with specific dates get violations as they start before the new overall project kick-off.

I think it would make sense to offer an option when one changes the project start date: Ask if the user wants to keep all activities relative to that date (everything gets bumped), or stick to absolute dates (dependent and floating tasks get bumped, ones with specific start dates do not).

Adam

[Lizard]

countrymac: It sounds like you're looking for scheduling backwards from an end date, rather than forwards from a start date. This isn't currently in OmniPlan, but it's a very popular request, so it keeps creeping towards the top of our "To Do" list.

[geoffc]

countrymac: It sounds like you're looking for scheduling backwards from an end date, rather than forwards from a start date. This isn't currently in OmniPlan, but it's a very popular request, so it keeps creeping towards the top of our "To Do" list.

I think for me the thing that would solve this is to be able to act on multiple tasks at once. I can select multiple tasks, but when I try to drag one of the bars to the right (or left) to change the date, the selection automatically reduces to just the task I clicked on. My expectation is that all the selected tasks move together.

This would solve the question asked, as the user could just select all and then drag everything to where it needs to be. Actually, I'm going to post this as a feature request.

[p_davis]

Perhaps others are in the same boat as I am, evaluating this software.

So FYI, I downloaded a demo of Merlin and this particular function is very intuitive and easy. No scripts, no work-arounds - didn't even have to read instructions. I was able to set up my test project very easily.

Has anyone objectively compared both products?

I would be intersted if the Omni folks could direct me to the benefits of OmniPlan vs. Merlin.

[akwong]

The ability to select multiple tasks and move them simultaneously is a popular request and something we are planning to implement in a later version. I will add a vote for every poster who has requested it in this thread.

Perhaps others are in the same boat as I am, evaluating this software.

Has anyone objectively compared both products?

I would be intersted if the Omni folks could direct me to the benefits of OmniPlan vs. Merlin.

I haven't used Merlin enough to objectively compare both products, but a thread was started about this in the forum. Here's a link to the thread:

http://forums.omnigroup.com/showthread.php?t=2390&highlight=merlin

[strata]

I think for me the thing that would solve this is to be able to act on multiple tasks at once. I can select multiple tasks, but when I try to drag one of the bars to the right (or left) to change the date, the selection automatically reduces to just the task I clicked on. My expectation is that all the selected tasks move together.

This would solve the question asked, as the user could just select all and then drag everything to where it needs to be. Actually, I'm going to post this as a feature request.

I've just paid for omniplan and spent the last hour trying to move/reschedule multiple selected tasks to an earlier start date. I don't want to change the whole project start date - just all the tasks and groups that follow after a certain date. But it seems I can't do this without moving or rescheduling each individual task at a time. How on earth can anyone manage a big project this way?? Love the rest of your products - but how can you leave this out? Can I have my money back???

[akwong]

I've just paid for omniplan and spent the last hour trying to move/reschedule multiple selected tasks to an earlier start date. I don't want to change the whole project start date - just all the tasks and groups that follow after a certain date. But it seems I can't do this without moving or rescheduling each individual task at a time. How on earth can anyone manage a big project this way?? Love the rest of your products - but how can you leave this out? Can I have my money back???

The ability to move multiple selected tasks has been added into OmniPlan, so you should be smooth sailing now. If you'd still like to request a refund, please email us at omniplan@omnigroup.com and I'll be more than happy to help.