Difference between revisions of "Creating and Managing Virtual Summary Tasks for Version 7.0"

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==About Creating and Managing Virtual Summary Tasks==
 
==About Creating and Managing Virtual Summary Tasks==
  
1) A '''virtual summary task''' ('''VST''') is a summary task shape created by OnePager that does not exist in Microsoft Project or Excel.  
+
A '''virtual summary task''' ('''VST''') is a summary task bar created by OnePager that does not exist in Microsoft Project or Excel. It represents the '''start date''' and '''end date''' of two or more constituent task bars or milestone symbols.  In this respect the '''VST''' is a OnePager '''summary '''task displayed in the chart.  OnePager computes the '''start and end dates''' of a '''VST''' as its constituent '''task dates''' change from '''snapshot to snapshot'''. It also constructs '''baselines''', '''percent complete bars''', and '''critical path segments''' (One Pager Pro ('''OPP''') only) for task bars being summarized. The illustrations and examples in this article are from OnePager Pro.
  
2) It represents the '''start date''' and '''end date''' of two or more constituent task shapes or milestone shapes. 
+
==Creating and Undoing Virtual Summary Tasks==
  
3) In this respect the '''VST''' is a OnePager '''summary''' task displayed in the chart. 
+
===Make a Virtual Summary Task===
  
4) OnePager computes the '''start and end dates''' of a '''VST''' as its constituent '''tasks dates''' change from '''snapshot to snapshot'''.  
+
To create a '''Virtual Summary Task''' ('''VST'''), follow these steps.
  
5) It also constructs '''baselines''', '''percent complete bars''', and '''critical path segments''' (One Pager Pro ('''OPP''') only) for task shapes being summarized.
+
:1) Select the '''first''' task bar or milestone symbol.  
  
6) The illustrations and examples in this article are from OnePager Pro.
+
:2) Use the '''CTL+Left-Click '''method to select the '''second''' (and '''third''', '''fourth''', etc.) constituent task bars and milestone symbols.  Or use the '''Lasso '''method to select the desired task bars or milestone symbols.
  
==Creating and Undoing Virtual Summary Tasks==
+
:3) Right-click on any of the selected task/milestone symbols to access the '''task bar '''right-click '''context menu''' shown below.
  
1) To create a Virtual Summary Task ('''VST'''), follow these steps.
+
:4) Click the '''Make into virtual summary task''' command as shown below:
  
2) Select the '''first''' task shape or milestone shape.  
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(1)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(1)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
3) Hold down the '''CTL key''' and select the '''second''' (and third, fourth, etc.) constituent task shapes and milestone shapes.  Or '''lasso''' them with the selection rectangle.
+
The chart now looks like this:
  
4) Right-click on any of the selected task/milestone shapes to access the '''context menu''' shown below.
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(2)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(2)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
5) Click the '''Make into virtual summary task''' command as shown below:
+
If there are '''Task Links''' associated with the selected task bars their '''Task Links are not shown''' in the resulting '''VST'''.
  
<center>[[File:P61-18_0_1-61-(1)-11032017.png]]</center>
+
===Unmake a Virtual Summary Task===
<center>P61-18_0_1-61-(1)-11032017.png</center>
+
  
6) The chart now looks like this:
+
To '''unmake''' the '''VST''', right-click on the '''VST '''to access the '''task bar '''right-click '''context menu''', and click the '''Unmake virtual summary task''' command in the context menu.
  
<center>[[File:P61-18_0_1-61-(2)-11032017.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(3)-09282020.png]]</center>
<center>P61-18_0_1-61-(2)-11032017.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(3)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
7)  If there are '''Task Links''' associated with the selected task shapes their '''Task Links are not shown''' in the resulting '''VST'''.
+
When a '''VST '''is '''unmade''', any '''Task Links''' associated with the participating selected task bars are '''restored'''.
  
8) To '''unmake''' the '''VST''', right-click on the '''VST''', and click the '''Unmake virtual summary task''' command in the context menu.
+
==Setting Percent Complete for Virtual Summary Tasks==
  
<center>[[File:P61-18_0_1-61-(3)-11032017.png]]</center>
+
Because a '''VST''' is really a collection of several other task bars, it is not always clear how to define its '''percent complete value'''. By '''default''', the '''percent complete''' for a '''VST''' is computed by OnePager so that the '''progress bar''' touches the '''time now line''' even if the '''Time Cursor''' is displayed or not in the chart as shown below:
<center>P61-18_0_1-61-(3)-11032017.png</center>
+
  
9) When a '''VST''' is '''unmade''', any '''Task Links''' associated with the participating selected task shapes are restored.
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(4)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(4)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
==Setting Percent Complete for Virtual Summary Tasks==
+
This value cannot always be appropriate because of the positions of the selected task bars with respect to the '''time now vertical line''' (usually the '''snapshot date''').  In some cases there won’t be a '''percent complete''' calculated or in other cases the '''percent complete''' can be illogical.  You can '''override''' this '''default''' and set the '''percent complete''' value manually by using these steps. Right-click the '''VST''' to access the '''task bar '''right-click '''context menu '''and then click the '''Set % complete of virtual summary task''' command shown below:
  
1) Because a '''VST''' is really a collection of several other task shapes, it is not always clear how to define its '''percent complete value'''.  
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(5)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(5)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
2) By '''default''', the '''percent complete''' for a '''VST''' is computed by OnePager so that the '''progress bar''' touches the '''time now line''', as shown below:
+
Enter the new '''percent complete''' value and click '''OK'''.
  
<center>[[File:P61-18_0_1-61-(4)-11032017.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(6)-09282020.png]]</center>
<center>P61-18_0_1-61-(4)-11032017.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(6)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
3) This value can not always be appropriate because of the positions of the selected task shapes with respect to the '''time now vertical line''' (usually the '''snapshot date'''). 
+
After clicking the '''OK''' button, the '''VST''' and its '''percent complete bar''' look like this:
  
4) In some cases there won’t be a '''percent complete''' calculated or in other cases the '''percent complete''' can be illogical.
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(6Z)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(6Z)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
5) You can '''override''' this '''default''' and set the '''percent complete''' value manually by using these steps.
+
==Critical Path Segments in Virtual Summary Tasks==
  
6) Right-click the '''VST''' and then click the '''Set % complete of virtual summary task''' command shown in the '''context menu''' below:
+
OnePager Pro consolidates '''critical path segments''' into the '''VST''' from the constituent individual task bars and milestone symbols. This feature is not available in OnePager Express ('''OPX''') because '''OPX''' does not process '''critical path''' information. In the OnePager Pro chart below, there are four (4) task bars that are selected to become part of a '''VST''':
  
<center>[[File:P61-18_0_1-61-(5)-11032017.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(6A)-09282020.png]]</center>
<center>P61-18_0_1-61-(5)-11032017.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(6A)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
7) Enter the new '''percent complete''' value and click '''OK'''.
+
When the '''VST''' is created, the '''VST''' itself looks like this with consolidated '''critical path segments'''.
  
<center>[[File:P52-18_-(6)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(6B)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(6B)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
==Critical Path Segments in Virtual Summary Tasks==
+
==Displaying Milestone Symbols on Virtual Summary Tasks==
  
1) '''OPP''' consolidates '''critical path segments''' into the '''VST''' from the constituent individual task shapes and milestone shapes.
+
Many users often represent their charts entirely with milestone symbols normally to focus attention to '''start dates''' and '''finish dates''' as shown here with milestone symbols '''represented''' at '''finish dates''':
  
2) This feature is not available in OnePager Express ('''OPX''') because '''OPX''' does not process '''percent complete''' information.
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(6C)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(6C)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
3) In the OnePager Pro chart below, there are four (4) task shapes that are selected to become part of a '''VST''':
+
OnePager can represent any '''VST''' configured under circumstances where a '''VST''' is created from '''milestone symbols only''', displays the '''VST''' bar with the collected milestone symbol '''shown on top''' of the bar as illustrated below:
  
<center>[[File:P53-18_0_1-53-(6A1)-03182016.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(7)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(7)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
4) When the '''VST''' is created, the '''VST''' itself looks like this with consolidated '''critical path segments'''.
+
To control the use of this feature, a checkbox was added to the '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Advanced''' tab’s, '''Display options''' control group called '''Overlay VST element''' to turn this feature '''ON''' and '''OFF''' as shown below: 
  
<center>[[File:P53-18_0_1-53-(6B)-03182016.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(8)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(8)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
==Displaying Milestone Shapes on Virtual Summary Tasks==
+
The same checkbox is also available in the '''Template Properties''' form’s '''Advanced''' tab in the same control group to set the feature on for all charts and '''snapshots''' created under that '''Template'''.
  
1) Many users often represent their charts entirely with '''milestone shapes''' normally to focus attention to '''start dates''' and '''finish dates'''.   
+
It is strongly recommended that you '''hide''' the '''task bar name labels''' for the task bars or milestone symbols you select to become members of the '''VST'''.  This is because without '''hiding''' the '''task bar name labels''' they will appear '''overlaid''' onto the '''VST''' along with the task bar and/or milestone symbol selected to participateThis consequence may cause '''task bar name label collisions''' on the '''VST task bar''' that may be unwanted.
  
2) OnePager Pro can represent any '''VST''' configured under circumstances where a '''VST''' is created from '''milestone shapes only''', displays the '''VST''' bar with the collected milestone shape '''shown on top''' of the bar as illustrated below:
+
As another example, using the '''BlueGrass...''' chart shown below where the seven (7) original task bars are now represented as milestone symbols at the '''START DATE''' and again '''hide''' the '''task bar name labels''' to better illustrate the result:
  
<center>[[File:P52-18_-(7)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(9)-09282020.png]]</center>
 +
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(9)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
3) To control the use of this feature, a checkbox was added to the '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Advanced''' tab, '''Display options''' group called '''Overlay VST element''' to turn this feature '''On''' and '''Off''' as shown below:
+
With the '''Overlay VST elements''' checkbox checked '''ON''', a '''VST''' is created as described in the previous section. The resulting '''VST''' looks like this:
  
<center>[[File:P61-18_0_1-61-(6)-11032017.png]]</center>
+
<center>[[File:P70-18_0_1-70-(10)-09282020.png]]</center>
<center>P61-18_0_1-61-(6)-11032017.png</center>
+
<!--<center>P70-18_0_1-70-(10)-09282020.png</center>-->
  
4) The same checkbox is also available in the '''Template Properties''' form’s '''Advanced''' tab in the same options group to set the feature on for all charts and '''snapshots''' created under that '''Template'''.
+
If you want to '''move''' the '''VST''' to another '''row''' or '''swimlane''', there are two (2) recommended approaches on how to do this efficiently.
  
5) As an example, take the portion of the '''BlueGrass...''' chart shown below where the seven (7) original task shapes are now represented as milestone shapes at the '''start date''' and the '''task labels''' hidden to better illustrate the result:
+
===First Recommendation===
  
<center>[[File:P52-18_-(9)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
If the '''VST''' and milestone symbol configuration is the only thing in the '''row''' or '''swimlane''', it is recommended that the '''move''' be done by making the '''move''' as a '''row''' or '''swimlane move''' versus trying to select the '''VST''' as a task bar and '''move''' the task bar individually. The reason is that the '''overlays of milestone symbols''' are separate graphics from the '''VST''' task bar and do not '''move''' with the '''VST''' task bar.
  
6) With the '''Overlay VST elements''' checkbox checked '''On''', we created a '''VST''' as described in the previous section. 
+
===Second Recommendation===
  
7) The resulting '''VST''' looks like this:
+
If the '''VST''' and milestone symbols configuration occupy a '''row''' or '''swimlane''' with other task bars/milestone symbols, we recommend that you '''lasso''' the entire configuration which selects all task bars/milestone symbols and with the selection '''lasso''' active, make the '''move''' up or down for the selected task bars/milestone symbols.
  
<center>[[File:P52-18_-(10)-06042015.png]]</center>
+
===Caution===
  
8) If you want to move the '''VST''' to another row or swimlane, we have two (2) suggestions on how to do this efficiently.
+
The '''Overlay VST elements''' checkbox is intended to be used '''ONLY''' with milestone symbols.  Accordingly, if the '''Overlay VST elements''' checkbox is checked '''ON''' and task bars are being made into a '''VST''' the results may not be appropriate for your needs. Further, making '''Virtual Summary Tasks''' with the '''Overlay VST elements''' checkbox checked '''ON''' also brings the task bars/milestone symbol's '''name labels''' into the '''VST''' which may further complicate the look of the resulting '''VST'''.
  
===First Recommendation===
+
==Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST)==
  
9) If the '''VST''' and milestone shape configuration is the only thing in the row or swimlane, it is recommended that the move be done by making the move as a row or swimlane move versus trying to select the '''VST''' as a task and move the task.
+
If you are '''creating''' or '''editing''' '''Virtual Summary Tasks''' ('''VST''') that have either '''Data-Driven''' or manual '''Task Links''', it is important to be aware of how those '''Task Links''' appear after the '''creation''' or '''editing''' processes are complete. Any '''Task Links''' associated with the '''VST''' task bar/milestone symbols are '''hidden''' in the resulting '''VST''' representation.  
  
10) The reason is that the overlays of milestone shapes are separate graphics from the '''VST''' task bar and do not move with the '''VST''' task bar.
+
For more information on the subject of '''Task Links''' and '''Virtual Summary Tasks''', please see this section in the article at: [[Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro for Version 7.0#Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST) | Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro - Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST)]] <!--19.4.1-70-->
  
===Second Recommendation===
+
==Related Links==
  
10) If the '''VST''' and milestone  shape configuration occupy a row or swimlane with other items, we recommend that you '''lasso''' the entire configuration which selects all elements and with the selection '''lasso''' active, make the move up or down.
+
[[Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro for Version 7.0 | Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro)]] <!--19.4.1-70-->
  
==Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST)==
+
[[Template Only Features for Version 7.0 (OnePager Pro) | Template Only Features-OnePager Pro]] <!--24.1.1-70-->
 +
 
 +
[[Template Only Features for Version 7.0 (OnePager Express) | Template Only Features-OnePager Express]] <!--24.2.1-70-->
 +
 
 +
[[Advanced Tab for OnePager Pro for Version 7.0 | Advanced Tab for OnePager Pro]] <!--21.13.1-70-->
  
1)  If you are '''creating''' or '''editing''' '''Virtual Summary Tasks''' ('''VST''') that have either '''Data-Driven''' or manual '''Task Links''', it is important to be aware of how those '''Task Links''' appear after the '''creation''' or '''editing''' processes are complete.
+
[[Advanced Tab for OnePager Express for Version 7.0 | Advanced Tab-OnePager Express]] <!--21.14.1-70-->
+
2)  For more information on the subject of '''Task Links''' and '''Virtual Summary Tasks''', please see this section in the article at: [[Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro for Version 7.0#Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST) | Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro - Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST)]]. 19.4.1-70
+
  
 
(18.0.1-70)
 
(18.0.1-70)
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[[Category:Virtual Summary Tasks]]
 
[[Category:Virtual Summary Tasks]]
 
[[Category:Task/Milestone Editing]]
 
[[Category:Task/Milestone Editing]]
 +
[[Category:Name Label Collision Avoidance]]
 +
[[Category:Escape Methods]]
 
[[Category:Ribbon]]
 
[[Category:Ribbon]]
 
[[Category:Snapshots]]
 
[[Category:Snapshots]]
Line 134: Line 146:
 
[[Category:Templates]]
 
[[Category:Templates]]
 
[[Category:Chart Properties Form]]
 
[[Category:Chart Properties Form]]
 +
[[Category:Task Links]]
 
[[Category:OnePager Pro]]
 
[[Category:OnePager Pro]]
 
[[Category:OnePager Express]]
 
[[Category:OnePager Express]]

Latest revision as of 18:13, 18 January 2021

About Creating and Managing Virtual Summary Tasks

A virtual summary task (VST) is a summary task bar created by OnePager that does not exist in Microsoft Project or Excel. It represents the start date and end date of two or more constituent task bars or milestone symbols. In this respect the VST is a OnePager summary task displayed in the chart. OnePager computes the start and end dates of a VST as its constituent task dates change from snapshot to snapshot. It also constructs baselines, percent complete bars, and critical path segments (One Pager Pro (OPP) only) for task bars being summarized. The illustrations and examples in this article are from OnePager Pro.

Creating and Undoing Virtual Summary Tasks

Make a Virtual Summary Task

To create a Virtual Summary Task (VST), follow these steps.

1) Select the first task bar or milestone symbol.
2) Use the CTL+Left-Click method to select the second (and third, fourth, etc.) constituent task bars and milestone symbols. Or use the Lasso method to select the desired task bars or milestone symbols.
3) Right-click on any of the selected task/milestone symbols to access the task bar right-click context menu shown below.
4) Click the Make into virtual summary task command as shown below:
P70-18 0 1-70-(1)-09282020.png

The chart now looks like this:

P70-18 0 1-70-(2)-09282020.png

If there are Task Links associated with the selected task bars their Task Links are not shown in the resulting VST.

Unmake a Virtual Summary Task

To unmake the VST, right-click on the VST to access the task bar right-click context menu, and click the Unmake virtual summary task command in the context menu.

P70-18 0 1-70-(3)-09282020.png

When a VST is unmade, any Task Links associated with the participating selected task bars are restored.

Setting Percent Complete for Virtual Summary Tasks

Because a VST is really a collection of several other task bars, it is not always clear how to define its percent complete value. By default, the percent complete for a VST is computed by OnePager so that the progress bar touches the time now line even if the Time Cursor is displayed or not in the chart as shown below:

P70-18 0 1-70-(4)-09282020.png

This value cannot always be appropriate because of the positions of the selected task bars with respect to the time now vertical line (usually the snapshot date). In some cases there won’t be a percent complete calculated or in other cases the percent complete can be illogical. You can override this default and set the percent complete value manually by using these steps. Right-click the VST to access the task bar right-click context menu and then click the Set % complete of virtual summary task command shown below:

P70-18 0 1-70-(5)-09282020.png

Enter the new percent complete value and click OK.

P70-18 0 1-70-(6)-09282020.png

After clicking the OK button, the VST and its percent complete bar look like this:

P70-18 0 1-70-(6Z)-09282020.png

Critical Path Segments in Virtual Summary Tasks

OnePager Pro consolidates critical path segments into the VST from the constituent individual task bars and milestone symbols. This feature is not available in OnePager Express (OPX) because OPX does not process critical path information. In the OnePager Pro chart below, there are four (4) task bars that are selected to become part of a VST:

P70-18 0 1-70-(6A)-09282020.png

When the VST is created, the VST itself looks like this with consolidated critical path segments.

P70-18 0 1-70-(6B)-09282020.png

Displaying Milestone Symbols on Virtual Summary Tasks

Many users often represent their charts entirely with milestone symbols normally to focus attention to start dates and finish dates as shown here with milestone symbols represented at finish dates:

P70-18 0 1-70-(6C)-09282020.png

OnePager can represent any VST configured under circumstances where a VST is created from milestone symbols only, displays the VST bar with the collected milestone symbol shown on top of the bar as illustrated below:

P70-18 0 1-70-(7)-09282020.png

To control the use of this feature, a checkbox was added to the Chart Properties form’s Advanced tab’s, Display options control group called Overlay VST element to turn this feature ON and OFF as shown below:

P70-18 0 1-70-(8)-09282020.png

The same checkbox is also available in the Template Properties form’s Advanced tab in the same control group to set the feature on for all charts and snapshots created under that Template.

It is strongly recommended that you hide the task bar name labels for the task bars or milestone symbols you select to become members of the VST. This is because without hiding the task bar name labels they will appear overlaid onto the VST along with the task bar and/or milestone symbol selected to participate. This consequence may cause task bar name label collisions on the VST task bar that may be unwanted.

As another example, using the BlueGrass... chart shown below where the seven (7) original task bars are now represented as milestone symbols at the START DATE and again hide the task bar name labels to better illustrate the result:

P70-18 0 1-70-(9)-09282020.png

With the Overlay VST elements checkbox checked ON, a VST is created as described in the previous section. The resulting VST looks like this:

P70-18 0 1-70-(10)-09282020.png

If you want to move the VST to another row or swimlane, there are two (2) recommended approaches on how to do this efficiently.

First Recommendation

If the VST and milestone symbol configuration is the only thing in the row or swimlane, it is recommended that the move be done by making the move as a row or swimlane move versus trying to select the VST as a task bar and move the task bar individually. The reason is that the overlays of milestone symbols are separate graphics from the VST task bar and do not move with the VST task bar.

Second Recommendation

If the VST and milestone symbols configuration occupy a row or swimlane with other task bars/milestone symbols, we recommend that you lasso the entire configuration which selects all task bars/milestone symbols and with the selection lasso active, make the move up or down for the selected task bars/milestone symbols.

Caution

The Overlay VST elements checkbox is intended to be used ONLY with milestone symbols. Accordingly, if the Overlay VST elements checkbox is checked ON and task bars are being made into a VST the results may not be appropriate for your needs. Further, making Virtual Summary Tasks with the Overlay VST elements checkbox checked ON also brings the task bars/milestone symbol's name labels into the VST which may further complicate the look of the resulting VST.

Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST)

If you are creating or editing Virtual Summary Tasks (VST) that have either Data-Driven or manual Task Links, it is important to be aware of how those Task Links appear after the creation or editing processes are complete. Any Task Links associated with the VST task bar/milestone symbols are hidden in the resulting VST representation.

For more information on the subject of Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks, please see this section in the article at: Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro - Task Links and Virtual Summary Tasks (VST)

Related Links

Manual Editing of Task Links for OnePager Pro)

Template Only Features-OnePager Pro

Template Only Features-OnePager Express

Advanced Tab for OnePager Pro

Advanced Tab-OnePager Express

(18.0.1-70)