Project 2003 Foundation

SECTION 2

Lesson 2.3: Editing Tasks

Task Types

We’re going to take a closer look at the Advanced tab; it contains the settings for task types. You should change this setting whenever possible to maximize Project’s scheduling capabilities.

Let’s define some of the terms that are used when discussing task types.

Duration	This is how long the task will last.
Work	The labour needed to complete the task.
Units	If a resource is needed to complete the task, how much will be required.
Effort-driven	These types of tasks will be completed by people.
Material driven	These types of tasks will be completed by resources.

Here’s an overview of the three task types.

Task Type	Explanation	If you change…	Project recalculates…	Effort or material driven
Fixed duration	Duration for these tasks will not change.	Units	Work	Either
		Duration	Work
		Work	Units
Fixed units (default task type)	This task’s units will remain constant.	Units	Duration	Either
		Duration	Work
		Work	Duration
Fixed Work	This task’s work will remain constant.	Units	Duration	Effort driven
		Duration	Units
		Work	Duration

These types are based on the simple Project scheduling formula: duration times units equals work, or work divided by assignment units equals duration. Here’s an example: it will take 100 hours to complete a house.

Duration=100 hours

Units= 1 man

Work= 100 hours

But, if we add three men, the equation changes.

Work=100 hours

Units=4

Duration= 25 hours

Task types sound really confusing, but once you start using them they’re easy to understand.