Start-to-Finish Predecessor Question

Kelleyanne Buchanan

Hello,

I am having some trouble with the Start-to-Finish predecessor. There is a repetitive section in my Smartsheet and I am trying to have one copy the other in terms of dates, so I thought the Start-to-Finish function would work perfectly but it doesn't and none of the others (FF, FS, SS) mirror the dates from which they are supposed to.

In case I need to clarify, I am trying to have line 83 and 112 to mirror each other in their start and end dates, and I thought 112 predecessor would read 83SF and that would mirror the dates but it doesn't appear to be working. I am clearly doing something wrong but have no idea what. Thank you in advance for any and all assistance.

MCorbin

If I'm reading this correctly, the problem might be a misinterpretation of the SF (Start to Finish) relationship.

Are you trying to have line 83 and 112 set up so that they have the same start and finish dates?

If that's the case, I'd set 112 up with the predecessor 83SS and then make sure that 83 & 112 have the same duration (you could set up a formula to identify if either duration changes and alert you if it does)

The Start to Finish relationship would be setting it up so that 112 could not finish until 83 started. It's really rare to use that relationship. And it doesn't sound from your description like that's what you're trying to do.

MCorbin

If I'm reading this correctly, the problem might be a misinterpretation of the SF (Start to Finish) relationship.

Are you trying to have line 83 and 112 set up so that they have the same start and finish dates?

If that's the case, I'd set 112 up with the predecessor 83SS and then make sure that 83 & 112 have the same duration (you could set up a formula to identify if either duration changes and alert you if it does)

The Start to Finish relationship would be setting it up so that 112 could not finish until 83 started. It's really rare to use that relationship. And it doesn't sound from your description like that's what you're trying to do.

Kelleyanne Buchanan

Hi MCorbin,

Thank you so much for this very helpful answer! I figured it was something I was doing wrong and I will look into that formula. Thanks again!