Network Diagram - Configure to show Forward Pass/Backward Pass

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I'm taking a PM class and our instructor had us manually create a network
diagram so that we could learn how the forward pass and backward pass are
calculated. He also said that the network diagram in project can be
configured to show the calculations as well. For example... 0 10 Days
Duration 10 instead of dates. I have figured out how to reflect this in
diagram box but cannot get it to add the ten days to the duration on the
following box. I created a custom number field with a formula to get it to
show what is in the example based on my tasks. Any one know how to get the
print out to show as it would if it were manually calculated?

If I understand you correctly, you've calculated the desired
value and now want to format the Network nodes (box) to include
the value?

Assuming you're using Project 2003 or 2007, display the Network
Diagram view and choose Format > Box Styles. Click the More
Templates button and in the Data Templates, dialog, select an
existing template and copy it. Give the new template a name in
the Data Definition dialog window. Towards the bottom of the
Data Definition dialog window in the "Choose Cells" section you
can specify which fields to place in which area.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Use the Customize Fields tool to define four custom number fields ES, LS,
EF, and LF.

ES = ProjectDateDiff([ProjectStart],[EarlyStart])/[MinutesPerDay]
EF = ProjectDateDiff([ProjectStart],[EarlyFinish])/[MinutesPerDay]
LS = ProjectDateDiff([LateStart],[ProjectFinish])/[MinutesPerDay]
LF = ProjectDateDiff([LateFinish],[ProjectFinish])/[MinutesPerDay]

Then set up your Network Diagram template so each box displays the task
name, duration, and the four above calculated fields.

The formula that I have converts the start and finish
dates to numbers. I can't figure out how to get each box to take the finish
date from box 'A' and add the duration from box 'B' to get the cumulative
figures. My boxes are currently configured like this...

0 Duration 10 10 0 Duration 5 5 0 Duration 2
0 10 0 5 0
2

I would like them to look like this...

0 Duration 10 10 11 Duration 5 16 17 Duration 2 19
0 10 11 16 17
19

I am trying to figure out if it is a formula that would do is or if it is
code I need to enter into VBE? If it is a formula I would assume I would
have to use the rollup feature...

Thank you, Steve! Is there a way to to get each box to take the finish
date from box 'A' and add the duration from box 'B' to get the cumulative
figures? My boxes are currently configured like this...

0 Duration 10 10 0 Duration 5 5
0 10 0 5


I would like them to look like this... Cumulative.

0 Duration 10 10 11 Duration 5 16
0 10 10 16

I don't think you need to take the approach you're trying to do.
You can calculate the information using the Project Start date
to get the cumulative values. In Project, you cannot reference
another task's data through a formula.

Post the formula you are using to convert and perhaps we can be
of more assistance.

One quick correction, the function is
ProjDateDiff not ProjectDateDiff

You could probably do it with VBA but it would be more trouble than it's
worth. Task information fields like that don't 'span' across multiple
tasks, ie, if you had two tasks A and B you could not create a calculated
field such that the calculation for task B picks up information from a field
for task A.

I just realized I made an error in the calculation for LS and LF though.
They actually should be
=ProjDateDiff([ProjectStart],[LateStart])/[MinutesPerDay] and
ProjDateDiff([LateFinish],[ProjectStart])/[MinutesPerDay] respectively,
referencing days from project start rather than days backwards from project
finish.

The EarlyStart, EarlyFinish, LateStart, And LateFinish fields are calculated
and maintained as dates by Project and are already built-in. The formlas I
suggest are to give you days from Day Zero (Start) instead of dates.

The method I gave you does give you cumulative values. Suppose you have
Start (Milestone, Mon 30 May) -->Task A (5d) --> Task B (3d) -->Task C
(4d) --> Finish (Milestone)

Start: Day 0
Task A: ES=0, EF=5, LS=0, LF=5
Task B: ES=5, EF=8, LS=5, LF=8
Task C: ES=8, EF=12, LS=8, LF=12
Finish : Day 12

Now add Task X, duration 5 days, after Task B and running in parallel with
it, linked A-->X-->C. We have two paths, A->B->C and A->X->C. The critical
path is now S-A-X-C-F and B has some slack.

Start: Day 0
Task A: ES=0, EF=5, LS=0, LF=5
Task B: ES=5, EF=8, LS=7, LF=10 (Slack = LF-EF = 2day)
Task X: ES=5, EF=10, LS = 5, LF = 10
Task C: ES=10, EF=14, LS=10, LF=14
Finish : Day 14

Senior moment there. Also, my original use of the
ProjectFinish date for the LateStart and LateFinish calculations is also an
error - all four of the values should be refrencig the Project Start date as
Day Zero.

You're welcome Steve. I saw you posted the correction after I
posted. Sorry, we must have crossed paths.

I'm guessing you know of the new forums for Project.

A forum on "Answers" that Project shares with Access, InfoPath, &
Visio:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...addbuz/threads

And technet forums:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...ofessional2010

Despite the "2010" in the URL, they are for all versions.

Looking forward to seeing you and your wisdom there!

You can get some way towards this by changing the date format. In Tools/Options.../View tab, in Date format select 3/W05, which means the 3 day of the 5th week. You can see the progression of durations more easily this way.

Thank you all! It is working. I had changed [ProjectStart] to [Start]
because I kept getting an error but it just occured to me to add a space
[Project Start] and it all fell into place! It looks great! I also added
*-1 to the end of the LF formula to make the number a positive. I was
working on a test project and am now going to apply it to my project and see
how it goes.

Remember, this newsgroup is closing on Tuesday June 1. You can
post any new questions to the Project forums.

See:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...ofessional2010

[express]

Hey guys,

I am trying to do exactly what you have posted here, but I cant work out why its not working for me.

I have made my gantt chart and inputted all my values, and it is all good.
Changing to network diagram is good, but it shows date instead of a day value.

I dont really understand where I have to go to do what you have explained, and when I did get close to customizing fields, the formulas are not working. If someone could help, that would be great...

Ivan