Set Parameters for Schedule Status Calculation

To set parameters for schedule status calculation at the plan level:

  1. Select Project in the Navigation pane.

  2. Click Plans for a project.

  3. Click Vertical View for a plan.

  4. Click the Status Configuration tab.

  5. Click Edit.

    View the field descriptions for the Plan page’s Vertical View Status Configuration tab

  6. Enter a value in the Pre Start Warn Threshold field.

    NOTE: This threshold is the percent of the task duration prior to the  planned start date as compared to the total duration of a task.

    For example, there are five days between a task’s planned start date and planned finish date. A user sets the Pre Start Warn threshold to 20 (i.e., 20%). The task is behind and the task’s Schedule Status icon is yellow one day prior to the planned start date for the task.

  7. Enter a value in the Post Start Warn Threshold field.

    NOTE: This threshold is the percent of the task duration after the  planned start date as compared to the total duration of the task. For example, there are five days between a task’s  planned start date and planned finish date. A user sets the Post Start Warn threshold to 20 (i.e., 20%). The task is late, the task’s Schedule Status icon is red one day after the  planned start date for the task.

    NOTE: If neither a Pre Start Warn or Post Start Warn threshold is supplied, a task’s  planned start date is used to determine whether a task is on time or late. In this case, the task’s Schedule Status icon is either green or red, but will not display yellow.

  8. Enter a value in the Pre End Warn Threshold field.

    NOTE: This threshold is the percent of the task duration  prior to the  planned finish date as compared to the total task duration.  For example, there are five days between a task’s planned start date and planned finish date. A user sets the Pre End Warn threshold to 20 (i.e., 20%). The task is behind and the task’s Schedule Status icon is yellow one day prior to the  planned finish date for the task.

  9. Enter a value in the Post End Warn Threshold field.

    NOTE: This threshold is the percent of the task duration after the  planned finish date as compared to the total task duration. For example, there are five days between a task’s  planned start date and planned finish date. A user sets the Post End Warn threshold to 20 (i.e., 20%). The task is late and the task’s Schedule Status icon is red one day after the  planned finish date for the task.

    NOTE: If neither a Pre End Warn or Post End Warn threshold is supplied, a task’s planned finish date is used to determine whether a task is on time or late. In this case, the task’s Schedule Status icon is either green or red, but will not display yellow.

  10. Select an option in the Schedule Status Outlook ID list box.

    NOTE: Values are:

    • Optimistic - A task’s schedule status can improve. For example, a task passes the Post-Start Warn threshold and its Schedule Status icon is red. Work on the task begins. The Schedule Status icon for the task changes to green.
    • Pessimistic - A task’s schedule status cannot improve. The schedule status either does not change or becomes worse. For example, if work on a task had not started after the Pre Start Warn threshold has passed the Schedule Status icon for that task is yellow. Depending on how work proceeds on the task, the task’s Schedule Status icon remains yellow or changes to red, but will never be green, even if the task is back on schedule.

    NOTE: The Schedule Status Outlook ID setting is required at the plan level and can be overridden at the task level.

  11. Click Save.

To override the Schedule Status Outlook ID setting at the plan task level:

  1. Select Project in the Navigation pane.

  2. Click Plans for a project.

  3. Click Tasks for plan.

  4. Click Vertical View for a task.

  5. Click the Status Configuration tab.

  6. Click Edit.

    View the field descriptions for the Plan page’s Vertical View Status Configuration tab

  7. Select an option in the Schedule Status Outlook ID list box.

    NOTE: Values are:

    • Inherit - A task’s schedule status settings are inherited from the plan level.
    • Optimistic - A task’s schedule status can improve. For example, a task passes the Post-Start Warn threshold and its Schedule Status icon is red. Work on the task begins. The Schedule Status icon for the task changes to green.
    • Pessimistic - A task’s schedule status cannot improve. The schedule status either does not change or becomes worse. For example, if work on a task has not started and the Pre Start Warn threshold has passed, the Schedule Status icon for that task is yellow. Depending on how work proceeds on the task, the task’s Schedule Status icon remains yellow or changes to red, but will never be green, even if the task is back on schedule.

    NOTE: If no selection is made, Inherit is used.

  8. Click Save.