Process automation with cell linking ?

Jef Forward · 04/27/15

We have developed a master process sheet that starts when a client signs a design contract and is completed when the build project is completed. It is rather long at about 250 tasks! and take between 6-12 to complete. We serve approximately 20 clients at a time in various stages. We are operating each client out a copied master process sheet. This is working fine, but we will need to modify our process for more efficiency at some point in the future.

I just realized that I could cell link this entire master process sheet into a template sheet, and with each new client, they are now working off of a linked master. I would be able to update all sheets at once for any changes. Does any one else do this? If not, how do you handle this scenario.

I am am envisioning a cell link coming into a sheet, along with the name of the "role" of who is responsible for completing the task, and then the assigned to column auto filling with a name of the employee who is assigned that role. Maybe I am overthinking this, but wow would that make my life easier!

Thank you you very much for any advice! I am so glad this community is up and running!

Jef

Jeremy Michels · 04/28/15

We do alot of cell linking in our sheets. All to a master sheet. I would recommend that you first look at the structure of your sheet system in detail. Cell linking at the level you are refering to can come with some issues. The amount of links can effect how the sheets work. It can also allow for issues of saving when multiple people are in a sheet. It is critical to not get to creative in the sheet when you dont have a detailed layout of your system. I speak from experience. I have had way to many links going on and it was difficult to recover from. As far as the part where you are talking about what can come with a link. The link is cell to cell obviouly. It will not bring more than one at a time. You can use a formula to do the rest of the work for you.

Did this help?

Jef Forward · 04/28/15

Jeremy, yes, that was helpful. I will focus on keeping it simple. My structure of the sheet system is pretty simple, or at least I think it is. The template sheet the cell references the master, will not be cell linked anywhere else. My assigned to column will not be a contact list, but a formula referencing the " role". At the th eop of the sheet, we will fill in some blank that will then populate the "assigned to" column. This will then populate task reports that we have set up for each employee, so they can see the work they have to do accross all projects.

The other issue I found, as you mentioned, is that any attachment does not carry through. We attach " how to" google docs or video links to the template Tasks for training purposes. I have to rethink that approach and keep them on the parent row.

How do you keep track of your sheet system? Do you have a flow chart set up?

Thank you or your help!!!

Jeremy Michels · 04/28/15

I use a flow chart system. It is very detailed as to what happens and where it sends it. Per task that can be done in the sheet as well as the automation that is generated per sheet. That seems like a mouth full. It takes detail to get the sheets to top form. The trick that we use is to make it a loop so anything that goes out must return back. To estimate out and actual back. Dates needed out and dates completed back. This would be at the master level sheet.

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Process automation with cell linking ?

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