Setting a project due date, then building tasks with predecessors leading into it - not working righ

JP Domanski

I know there is a way to do this but for some reason I am stuck. I have an event taking place on 5/25. So that needs to be the due date and it CAN NOT MOVE. I then have maybe 40 or so tasks leading up to it, all of which have to occur in certain sequences. I am not able to set up the project. One of two problems occurs. Either I enter a dependency and all of my dates vanish. Or if I enter dummy dates on all tasks (which is about as anti-project management as it gets), and THEN attempt to sequence them, those dates stay in place while forcing my event due date outward, when the opposite should occure. The task dates need to all move back in time in order to accommodate the project due date. Anyone know what I am obviously missing here? I am used to traditional PMIS systems that can all do this so maybe I just need to retrain my mind here? Thanks to whomever can help. 

J. Craig Williams

JP,

 

Like most PM software, Smartsheet allows predecessor types.

Default is FS (finish to start), but the others are available too.

 

You want to build backwards using SF type.

 

See this article on more.

 

https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/support-tip-work-back-schedule

 

Craig

JP Domanski

Hi Craig - that is actually what I had ben doing for a while now. I just happened to notice the gantt flow, although LOOKED ok, was flowing backwards upward to the left. =D

 

Is this the only way to make Smartsheets cooperate like this?

 

Thanks for the input!

J. Craig Williams

To my understanding, yes, the arrows look different.

 

Be aware, also, that the critical path is easily shown 'broken' on reverse tasks.

Smartsheet is aware and I hope they fix it soon.

 

Craig

JP Domanski

Me too but I think it has been this way for a while so I'm not even sure they have considered it as a "fix".  I can just ignore the arrows and pretend the timeline is flowing foward but one of our new PM's just asked me the other day "Why are the arrows flowing backward?" =O  As much as a like Smartsheet, this one is really bugging me for some reason.  Thanks for the feedback!