It is essential that users understand the Default Project functionality when a user opens two or more projects in Oracle Primavera P6 together. It is especially important that users understand the implications when the projects have different Scheduling Options.
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1 Introduction
Oracle Primavera P6 Version 20 has changed way the Default Project is set and it may now be set in the Scheduling Options form. Thus, it is also very important that users understand what the implications of the both the Default Project function and the changes in the way it is set in Version 20.
2 Understanding the Default Project`
When multiple projects are opened together the Scheduling Options from the Default Project are used to:
- Schedule and level all open projects.
- New data items, such as Issues, are assigned to the default project when they are added to the database.
- When the projects have different Schedule Options then all the Scheduling Options from the Default Project are assigned to all the other open projects on a permanent basis> NOTE: These projects will not calculate the same way again.
3 Setting the Default Project in Version 19 and Earlier
To set the Default Project in Version 19 and earlier you select Project, Set Default Project… to open the Set Default Project form.
4 Setting the Default Project in Version 20 and Later
In Version 20 the Default Project selected in the Set Default Project form is overridden by selecting a different project in the Scheduling Options form, Use scheduling options from drop down box.
This will not change the selected Default Project s in the Set Default Project form but will override it. Also, this option operates in the same way as the Default Project selected in the Set Default Project and will change all the other projects Scheduling Options to the one selected in the Scheduling Options form on a permanent basis.
The Default Project is overridden in Version 20 from the Schedule Options form and the Level Resources form, thus the Default Project selected in the Set Default Project is effectively now redundant and any change to it will not be linked or override the Scheduling Options form, Use scheduling options from drop down box..
5 Conclusion
It is disappointing that in my version of P6 Version 20 that Oracle had neither:
- Linked the Default Project selected in the Set Default Project form from the Scheduling Options form, Use scheduling options fromdrop down box option, so when one changes the other does, nor
- Removed the Default Project function from the software.
This issue may be fixed in later versions.
6 Recommendations
When you are using Version 20 and later you must ensure that you use Scheduling Options form, Use scheduling options from drop down box to set the Default Project.
Paul E Harris
Director Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd
26 October 2022
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Paul E Harris
Director Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd