If you are using calendars in your project that do not start at 08:00 hrs (8.00am) or 17:00hrs (5.00pm) then your need to understand this topic and how the Hours per day is calculate.
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The Default start time: and Default end time: are the times that the software uses when a date is entered and a time is not entered. These times should be aligned to the Project calendar and are used in Microsoft Project when:
- Constraints are assigned to tasks when a date is typed into a Start or Finish field, and
- Actual Start or Actual Finish dates are assigned.
These times are set in the Options, Calendar form which may be accessed by:
- Clicking the Options button from the Change working time form, or
- Selecting the File, Options, Schedule tab, Calendar options for this project:section:
If these times are not aligned then tasks may be displayed one day longer than the duration as per the picture below, where the calendar start time is 8:00am and the Default start time is 9:00am and a 3 -day task spans 4 days:
It is essential to match both the Default start time: and Default end time: with your project calendar’s normal start and finish times. For example, when the Default start time: is set earlier than the calendar normal start time, a task set with a constraint without a time will appear to finish one day later than scheduled. Therefore a one-day task will span two days and a two-day task, three days.
Eastwood Harris Resources
Accelerate your understanding of scheduling software to advance your scheduling career and be able to prepare better schedules with Eastwood Harris books, training courses and online videos on the following software packages:
- Microsoft Project,
- Oracle Primavera P6 and
- Elecosoft (Asta) Powerproject
Online video training is available through Udemy through following these links:
Please follow these links:
- Eastwood Harris books and training materials are available here https://www.eh.com.au.
- Eastwood Harris inhouse, one-to-one and public training courses are offered through Primaskills Pty Ltd, more details here>>>>.
- Resources for Oracle Primavera P6 users such as third party software that works with P6 and technical papers on Primavera P6 at https://primavera.com.au/.
Paul E Harris
Director Eastwood Harris Pty Ltd
25 November 2023