I've noticed that "Set task start date based on dependency" does not remain checked. Does a user need to recheck this every time they edit the task?

thanks

jr

I have the same problem. Moreover the dependency doesn't work.
Activating the debug messagges, when I choose "Set task start date based on dependency" and save I obtain:

/var/www/html/dotproject/modules/tasks/do_task_aed.php(47): No pre_save functions.

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /var/www/html/dotproject/includes/main_functions.php:558) in /var/www/html/dotproject/classes/ui.class.php on line 515

regards

I still don't have an answer to the first part. But the "error" messages you're getting after turning on debug messages is expected behavior. I'd turn debug off unless you want to see this stuff.

jr

I can add some details.
Let I have two indipendent tasks A and B, in the same range of dates (for example both from 28/04 to 29/04).

Now I decide to insert a dependency of task A from task B; so I edit task A to be dependent from task B. I save the new properties of task A, but the dates of task A remain unchanged. (again from 28/04 to 29/04).

Now I change task B range of dates. For example task B end date to 30/04. I save the new properties of task B, and now surprisingly A start date has changed in 30/04.

It seems to me dependencies rules apply only when you change parents dates.

Moreover the problem of the "Set task start date based on dependency" does not remain checked is still valid.

I have also found that parent tasks must be updated to get dependent tasks to take on correct, dependent dates. In fact you have to go all the way up the chain. If D depends on C which depends on B which depends on A, it won't come out right until you do an update to A.

An easy way, if you know in advance how a series of dependencies will be laid out, is to enter all the tasks without dates, just durations. Then go back to the top of the chain (the independent task) and put in the start date. Calculate the finish date by clicking the button, and the whole chain gets fixed up. This has worked for me; YMMV.

There is some room for improvement here, as it becomes inconvenient when you add dependent tasks later on, and then have to go back and "jog" the task at the top of the chain to force a calculation for the most recently added dependent task. But all in good time, I'm sure. DotProject certainly delivers value, especially at the price. :)

I have just started using dotproject - great interface - but critical bugs like these make it almost unuseable.
The Task Dependency bug is fairly critical - we were planning to use dp for our construction and property managment company - but it is essential that task dependency be accurate - when you have over 200 tasks to be completed and as someone here mentione - you have to "go bag and jog the parent" to force updates of the child tasks - it is impossible to manage.

Firstly, how do you identify the parent? It is very difficult when the task has multiple dependencies.
Secondly - how can you be sure that the dependent tasks DID get updated?
Finally, what if you want to remove the dependency of a task that is in between - the dependency of all the following tasks fall apart due to the this problem.

As I said, great interface but good looks can only take you so far. I am now looking at PHProjekt (horrible interface and installation issues) but the fundamental functions seem to be ok.

Any fixes for this problem in the horizon?
Thanks
AM

I've noticed that "Set task start date based on dependency" does not remain checked. Does a user need to recheck this every time they edit the task?

thanks

jr

I'm having this problem too. It doesn't seem to need to be rechecked but if I open the "dependencies" tab, I usually check it for good measure/peace of mind.

Sandy

I've found with copying dynamic parent tasks and their children that if you set the start date manually for what would be the logical start date (based on the preceding task), it will begin to work properly. It doesn't seem to adjust the start date based on dependencies unless you do that though.

I cannot believe we are talking about version 2.0.1

And dates andadependencies don't work ???

What is this software for???

Augusto.

http://sites.sakienvirotech.com/dp_docs/tiki/tiki-index.php?page=2.0+Release+Known+Issues

http://sites.sakienvirotech.com/dp_docs/tiki/tiki-index.php?page=2.0.1+Release+Known+Issues

http://devsite.dotproject.net/index.php?m=tasks&a=view&task_id=365

http://www.dotproject.net/mantis/bug_view_page.php?bug_id=0001038

http://www.dotproject.net/mantis/bug_view_page.php?bug_id=0000889

A search on www.dotproject.net/mantis for "dependenc" returned 26 reports - combination of closed issues, resolved issues, feature requests and open issues lodged against 3.0. Many of these explain the current status of task dependencies.

Task dependency and the ability to "dynamically" adjust task start and finish dates are the "MOST IMPORTANT" feature of ANY project management software. Without this, we might as well use a to-do list - which is what I am using now since I have abandoned dotproject.

I simply refuse to contribute and spend time on a project where the priorities are not based on user input but simply the "geekness" value of a feature.

I may sound harsh - but I spent hours setting up dotproject - only to discover the utter uselessness of the Task Dependency. If anything, just having it there adds to the confusion. If it does not work, just take the damn thing out so that people are not misled into thinking that the feature actually works.

Developers, please give priority to the feedback from actual non-technical end-users - they are the ones that will make a project successful - not the "uber-cool" features.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.
AM

Hi there

I only want to underline the point from alexmathew.

Dot project for me is at the moment, like a car without wheels.

Another Thing is, is it not possible to streamline all those Patch Files, that are availlable in all those Versions? I think you will spread the use of your Software and not everyone is familiar with Mantis or where to find those updated Files.

Would be great if this Service would be more central and User Friendly.

Greets

Erich

Task dependency and the ability to "dynamically" adjust task start and finish dates are the "MOST IMPORTANT" feature of ANY project management software. Without this, we might as well use a to-do list - which is what I am using now since I have abandoned dotproject.

I simply refuse to contribute and spend time on a project where the priorities are not based on user input but simply the "geekness" value of a feature.

I may sound harsh - but I spent hours setting up dotproject - only to discover the utter uselessness of the Task Dependency. If anything, just having it there adds to the confusion. If it does not work, just take the damn thing out so that people are not misled into thinking that the feature actually works.

Developers, please give priority to the feedback from actual non-technical end-users - they are the ones that will make a project successful - not the "uber-cool" features.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.
AM

At the risk of again being taken to task for responding to messages, let me assure you that the task dependancy feature was not included in the last release because it failed any "uber-cool" test but rather, that permissions was the feature that most people were screaming for - followed by resource management - followed by task dependencies. As for taking it out - many users use it as it stands, aware of the limitations. If we take it out then we will be taken to task by that group of users.

Unfortunately in setting priorities we work with the resources that we have available to us which means that we cannot please all of the people all of the time, but I would really appreciate it if you would not automatically assume that we use "cool" or "geek" as a method of assessing what is required - we're project managers ourselves you know.

Karen C

Hi there

I only want to underline the point from alexmathew.

Dot project for me is at the moment, like a car without wheels.

Another Thing is, is it not possible to streamline all those Patch Files, that are availlable in all those Versions? I think you will spread the use of your Software and not everyone is familiar with Mantis or where to find those updated Files.

Would be great if this Service would be more central and User Friendly.

Greets

Erich

We are aware that a bug fix release is overdue. Unfortunately there just isn't enough time in our days at the moment to undertake one as we are all tied up on paying jobs.

Once we have an idea of when we can achieve this it will be posted on the developer blog.

Karen C

A search on
www.dotproject.net/mantis
for "dependenc" returned 26 reports - combination of closed issues, resolved issues, feature requests and open issues lodged against 3.0. Many of these explain the current status of task dependencies.

Where to search for info on dotproject (and in which order) is very confusing.

Search these forums: should be easy for everyone.
CVS: description in Wiki
Mantis: didn't even know this existed, although I am reading a lot of the threads in the last months.

How do I search on mantis: Using the Bug report/Mantis link on the dotproject page, I get a 'Jump' (not a 'search') field.
Entering dependenc, as recommended, gives the following message:

APPLICATION ERROR #1100
Issue 0 not found.

In general, a lot of important info is 'lost' in forum threads: One has to read millions of threads to find it. Also, I agree to the developers that many questions are answered many times (e.g. bringing gantt to work).

Might it be a solution if the developers and knowledgeable people put their advice into the Wiki instead of the forum threads? And just paste a link to the Wiki into the thread? This way, one wouldn't have so many nearly identical threads, and the Wiki would be more up to date.
Also, pointing people to read the Wiki, many threads wouldn't even be started because it would be easier to find solutions without external help.

Maybe an entry in the Wiki on searching info would be good. A search on 'search' didn't give any result on that.


Other than that, I do NOT think that dP is unusable. It probably depends on what feature one needs at a certain time - there are many features that are fine.

Where to search for info on dotproject (and in which order) is very confusing.

Search these forums: should be easy for everyone.
CVS: description in Wiki
Mantis: didn't even know this existed, although I am reading a lot of the threads in the last months.

How do I search on mantis: Using the Bug report/Mantis link on the dotproject page, I get a 'Jump' (not a 'search') field.
Entering dependenc, as recommended, gives the following message:

APPLICATION ERROR #1100
Issue 0 not found.

In general, a lot of important info is 'lost' in forum threads: One has to read millions of threads to find it. Also, I agree to the developers that many questions are answered many times (e.g. bringing gantt to work).

Might it be a solution if the developers and knowledgeable people put their advice into the Wiki instead of the forum threads? And just paste a link to the Wiki into the thread? This way, one wouldn't have so many nearly identical threads, and the Wiki would be more up to date.
Also, pointing people to read the Wiki, many threads wouldn't even be started because it would be easier to find solutions without external help.

Maybe an entry in the Wiki on searching info would be good. A search on 'search' didn't give any result on that.


Other than that, I do NOT think that dP is unusable. It probably depends on what feature one needs at a certain time - there are many features that are fine.

Mantis is a package supplied by another group so I certainly do not want to get into providing support on the usage of same (www.mantisbt.org) I believe is their website. Jump is the option that you can use to jump straight to a particular issue number. If you want to search you go to View Issues and then there is a search option there.

As for using the Wiki - it is a documentation site - not for questions and answers or for assistance. We have as much trouble with people not using search there as we do here. Ultimately the Wiki will not provide the forum features which we need and the site was not provided for the purposes of providing support - but for providing documentation. It does not provide forum support of the type that we wanted. This is not a dig at Tikiwiki - it's an environment that we are very happy with - but we chose not to use their forums for a multitude of reasons which I won't outline here. The idea of people using it to post answers to questions and then return to the forums whence the question was asked to post the link to the answer strikes me as adding a level of complication that's simply not warranted and would not be conducive to people offering to provide that support.

It's really a very simple process:

If you want help - use the forums - search first.

If you have a bug or you want to see if something you are experiencing is a known bug - Mantis (Bugs and Suggestions).

If you are looking for documentation - Tikiwiki (Documentation)

The only one that's a bit complicated is that suggestions are posted on Mantis but we also have a discussion forum here as a result of requests from people who wanted to discuss their suggestions. That's the only two locations where we are happy if items are duplicated.

Sometimes you may have to look in all 3 places but then each location provides a specific, specialised service.

Karen C

Phew! Poor old DP is taking a bit of a beating here! Well, let me tell you I've just got it up and running for a medium-complexity project with just a few developers. I've looked at a few others and I chose this. Yes the dependency thing is anoying and I can understand how some people might find it a bit hard to deal with. But I found the answer right here (blah blah 'bump' the first one)
The two things I was looking for were dependency tracking and comment tracking (logs) within tasks.
Please fix the dependency probs by all means :razz: but it's still the best product for me even with these problems

Do you know if these problems still exists in previous versions of dotProject as well? I am currently running version 2.01 and dependancies do not seem to be working very well.

Many thanks,
Jamie

Opps, please ignore my last commennts. Karens text answers my questions.

Cheers,
J

First of all, as its my first post, and I'm a new user, I must thank everyone involved for this fantastic software!

I too, am having problems with task dependencies, and after searching on the subject came across this and other threads on the subject. The suggestion quoted below seems to offer a solution to the problem, but I am still having trouble getting the dependencies to get updated.


An easy way, if you know in advance how a series of dependencies will be laid out, is to enter all the tasks without dates, just durations. Then go back to the top of the chain (the independent task) and put in the start date. Calculate the finish date by clicking the button, and the whole chain gets fixed up. This has worked for me; YMMV.


Maybe its just that I'm new to this, but I couldn't add tasks without specifying both start and end dates. Can you tell me how to add tasks without dates?

Going to the parent task, and re-saving the task also doesnt reset the child dependencies.

Thanks again for all your hard work, I can't wait to see the fruits of your labours with version 3.

Cheers
pat.

Maybe its just that I'm new to this, but I couldn't add tasks without specifying both start and end dates. Can you tell me how to add tasks without dates? Uncheck "Check Task Dates" in System Configuration.

MOTE

Thanks MOTE for your quick response!

I can't believe I forgot about that checkbox!

Ok, I checked the box, which allowed me to add tasks without setting a date. The problem is that now when I save the task, I get the following error

Warning: date() expects parameter 2 to be long, string given in C:\wamp\www\dotProject\dotproject\lib\PEAR\Date.ph p on line 179

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\wamp\www\dotProject\dotproject\lib\PEAR\Date.ph p:179) in C:\wamp\www\dotProject\dotproject\classes\ui.class .php on line 510

Also, in the previous suggestion where I'm supposed to "enter all the tasks without dates, just durations", should I be checking the "Set task start date based on dependency" for all the children of the parent task? (ie for all the tasks dependent on previous tasks)

Thanks again for your help :)

Warning: date() expects parameter 2 to be long, string given in C:\wamp\www\dotProject\dotproject\lib\PEAR\Date.ph p on line 179

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at C:\wamp\www\dotProject\dotproject\lib\PEAR\Date.ph p:179) in C:\wamp\www\dotProject\dotproject\classes\ui.class .php on line 510
I don't remember you stating which dP version you're running. We'd all prefer to support the latest version so if you're not running 2.1rc2, please upgrade. Those two notices are warnings, not errors. You probably have your php error reporting set too low. See this http://docs.dotproject.net/index.php/Turning_Off_Error_Messages

Also, in the previous suggestion where I'm supposed to "enter all the tasks without dates, just durations", should I be checking the "Set task start date based on dependency" for all the children of the parent task? (ie for all the tasks dependent on previous tasks)
Sounds like that's what they had in mind.

MOTE