Text mode to display if project has a task with a cross project predecessor

[MoniqueEvans]

I'm trying to make a report easier for my project managers by displaying a column that informs if the project has been tied to a cross-project predecessor. Part of the current process is to make a project that holds the schedule for the program and then create 10-30+ projects within the program. At a later point in time when dates are more defined the PM will connect the individual projects to the date scheduling project but when you are touching multiple similar projects it can sometimes get tricky on if you did connect this one or not. Monique Evans Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

[AnthonyIm]

Love the idea! I'll play around and see if I come up with anything, but want to follow in case someone else does first. :) Anthony Imgrund FCB

[EXP_-_DustinMa]

Hey Monique,

Are you using a project report, or a task report?

A project report would require you to reference a collections for the tasks.

A task report would be a bit more simple... it would still require you to use isCP=true (is cross-project)

Take a gander at the API Explorer: https://experience.workfront.com/s/api-explorer

The task object would need to use a collection (since you can have more than 1 predecessor on a task) but you would be able to see predecessor and isCP.

=)

Good luck!

[SarahNau]

Hey Monique - how are you?

I played around with this for a bit this morning but I'm unable to get task predecessor information on a project report.

You could use a custom field to flag the tasks that should have cross-project predecessors setup, create a task report and filter for the tasks with that custom field- you can take out the task name column and replace with the project name so it looks like a project report - to give more info, you can add columns for predecessor name and project:

Name:

displayname=Predecessors Names

listdelimiter=<br>

listmethod=nested(predecessors).lists

textmode=true

type=iterate

valueexpression={predecessor}.{name}

valueformat=HTML

Project:

displayname=Predecessors Project Names

listdelimiter=<br>

listmethod=nested(predecessors).lists

textmode=true

type=iterate

valueexpression={predecessor}.{project}.{name}

valueformat=HTML

If anyone finds a better solution - I would love to hear as well!

[MoniqueEvans]

Thanks, everyone for digging in so far.

Dustin this is a project report, a task report wouldn't work since there are so many tasks in each project. Is there a way to reference a task collection and provide an if/then statement so that it only shows the task name if it has a CPP? That would be pretty close to what we're trying to achieve.

Sarah I like the idea of a custom form or something on the tasks to help with filtering; I'll have to work with the Project Manager and see if this is feasible. Unfortunately the text mode for a project collection isn't working.

[EXP_-_DustinMa]

Hey Monique,

I assume it's possible, but I'm not a reporting guru.. I'm around a 6/10 if I'm being honest here. :) I can usually make things work... eventually.. or, I message my good friends from our consulting teams.

I'd recommend scheduling some time with our consultants.. you can ask your AE for a small block of hours, and they're valid for a year.. and not very expensive at all. Plus, our consulting team will actually build it out for you, not just provide hints and tips. :)

Good luck!

[SarahNau]

The text mode I provided would be for a task report, not project. Since you can't do a collection of collections and tasks are a collection of projects and predecessors are a collection of tasks, I don't think you can get to that information from a project report. :-(