Subprojects

You can insert a subproject to the project as a single task with uncertainties. It can be useful when you have a large integrated project, which include subprojects with risks and uncertainties. You can calculate each subproject separately and insert these subprojects with results of Monte Carlo simulations to the master project. Statistical distribution of project cost and duration will become custom input distribution for the task that represents subproject. This approach can significantly simplify schedule and accelerate Monte Carlo simulations on very large programs.

To insert subproject to the master schedule:

1. Open the subproject, run the simulation, and save. The subproject simulation results are saved to the file.
2. Open the file that will be the master schedule.
3. Select the row in the schedule where you want to insert the subproject.
4. Right click on task ID and from the shortcut menu choose Insert Subproject...
5. In the Open dialog box, navigate to the project you want to insert and click Open. The subproject will be inserted as a single task to the schedule.

Custom statistical distributions for task fixed cost and duration will be defined if subproject has results of Monte Carlo simulation. You can verify them in Distribution tab of task information dialog. Low, base, and high fixed cost and duration of this subproject task will be also defined based on results of simulations.

Start time of new task will be set based on start time of the subproject. The constraint will be set to 'Must Start On'. You may remove this constraint and define predecessors and successors of this subproject.

You can insert any number of subprojects. The subproject may contain nested subprojects. You can also assign risk events to the subproject task. However ensure that these risks are not assigned in the subproject schedule. Otherwise this will cause a double count of the same risks. Subprojects start and finish must be linked to tasks in master project schedule. If internal tasks of a subproject are linked to master schedule tasks, you may need to split one subproject into on or more smaller subprojects.

Refreshing Subprojects:

If you run a new simulation on a subproject, it can be updated in the master schedule. You can update manually, or it can be updated automatically when you open the master schedule. You can define the refresh mode in Advanced tab of the Task Information dialog box. Manual mode is the default setting.

• Manual refresh: click the Refresh button Low, Base, High fixed cost and duration, as well as statistical distributions of fixed cost and duration of the subproject task will be updated.
• Automatic refresh: select this to automatically update when you open the master project. Automatic mode will increase the time it takes to open master projects.

If your subprojects contain other subprojects, only subprojects at the next lower level will be refreshed. To refresh nested subprojects, open each individually and refresh them.

See also

Advanced Task Management