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How to make task which fills the gap between other two

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Evgeny Z.Member for 18 years 9 months
Created
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Hi,

I have the following question, on which I couldn’t find and answer in google.

How to make a task with flexible duration, which will fill the gap between other 2 tasks and will automatically adjust it’s length:
Example

Task1: Deliver building material (fix start task)
Task2: Guard delivered building material (fixed units)
Task3: Build building (fix start)

So, I want Task2 to fill the gap between task 1 and task 3. I want it to adjust it’s length depending on how late task 1 finishes. So, that it will always start when task 1 is finished, and will always finish, when task 3 starts. Is it possible with MS project?

thanks

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7 replies

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  1. 0
    Trevor Rabey ·
    #1
    This is called a "Hammock" Task.
    Copy the Finish Date of Task1.
    Select the Start Date cell of Task2.
    Edit, Paste Special, Link.

    Copy the Start Date of Task3.
    Select the Finish Date cell of Task2.
    Edit, Paste Special, Link.

    Task2 will expand and contract to fill the gap.
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  2. 0
    Evgeny Z. ·
    #2
    Thanks! Great!
    The more I learn MS Project, the more I get surprised!

    But now I have another question, because these Excel-type links can be probably quite confusing:

    Suppose I got an MS Project schedule from someone else and I have found linked fields there.

    • How do I find out which cell it is actually linked to?

    Regards.
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  3. 0
    Trevor Rabey ·
    #3
    You will see a small grey triangle in the corner of the cells which are "live" links.
    See on the menu EDIT, LINKS.
    It is a bit cryptic, not always easy to find which cell the target cell is linked to.
    A note in the Notes field of the two Tasks helps a lot.
    Report
  4. 0
    Paul Harris ·
    #4
    This is a great little trick, but in my experience the “Task Type” must not be “Fixed Duration”.

    Paul E Harris
    Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
    Planning and Scheduling Training Manual & Book Publishers & Consulting
    www.eh.com.au
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  5. 0
    Alexandre Faulx-Briole ·
    #5
    Sure,
    task type should be "Fixed Units"; and this pseudo hammock task will work better without any resource assigned.
    the small grey triangle is only visible if the option is being checked in Tools, Options, General
    Alexandre
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  6. 0
    Nicolas Igersheim ·
    #6
    Plus
    a double click on the "linked" start and finish dates
    will send the cursor automagically to the "source" dates.
    Report
  7. 0
    David Sharp ·
    #7
    Nice trick. Tried this "hammocking" using task with resources assigned/effort driven, seems to work well,could come in handy....good spot.
    Report

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