Procedure - Using a Project Management Template for a Specific Election

GENERAL:

This procedure provides steps to generate a new Project Management Schedule from a saved template. The template is based on backward scheduling from a specified end date. This requires tasks be coded as "As Late As Possible" so the schedule is generated from an end date, working backwards to a start date. In order to establish specific dates for events which must be completed on specific days (for example, General Election Day must fall on Tuesday, regardless of the activities and events before and after that day). To accomplish this, artificial constraints are contained within the logic so the user need only establish an end date for the election and make sure the calendar for the specific day of the election be modified to show extended working hours (for example, General Election day starts at 5:00 AM, and ends at 11:00 PM, with no breaks for lunch or dinner).

PROCEDURE:

Open the template for the type of election you want (Village, Primary, or General).

To make a new project:

  • Click on "Project" in the menu bar.
  • Click on "Project Information" from the drop down menu to get the dialog box.
  • Name the project (eg 2011 General Election).
  • Type in the Finish Date (date of election plus 38 days - Friday 5:00 PM 5 weeks and 3 days after the election).
  • Choose a base calender (typically 2010 General Election).
  • Choose a "Status Date" (typically 2 months before the election).
  • Save the new project under a file name of your choosing (usually the same as the Project name).
  • From the menu bar, click on "Tools".
  • Click on "Change Working Calendar" from the drop down menu.
  • Scroll to the specific election date on the calendars and click on the highlighted date.
  • In the dialog box which comes up, click on "Non-Default Working Time".
  • Change the hours so they are From 5:00 AM To 11:00 PM, with no breaks.
  • Click on "OK" and exit this dialog box.
  • Save the program as a new file (eg 2011 General Election).
  • Verify the election and audit activities start and end at the proper times.

 

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