Keep Duration static for Project Plans

Is there way for a project plan and/or template to keep duration static?  When I use a template the date fields come in from the template.  When I change the start date, it changes the duration as well.  Since I created the plan tasks with their assigned duration, I'd like for that to stay and have the end date recalculate based on the task duration.  Is there a setting that will allow this?  Thanks. JA

Asked by John Adams on Fri 8/30/24 10:05 AM
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Answer (1)

This answer has been marked as the accepted answer
Mark Sayers Tue 9/3/24 10:59 AM

Hi John,

Would it be possible to take a step back and outline the sequence of steps you're taking exactly so I can better understand where the issue is coming into play for you?

Sincerely,
Mark Sayers
Sr Support Consultant, CS

No feedback
Thanks Mark. I create a new project and select the template I would like to use. Then select the plan and it gets created with the correct dates. But this issue comes for me when editting the plan after that. Let's say I have a task with a start date of 11/6 with a duration of 10 days, so the end date is 11/19. I want to change the start date to 11/11, the following Monday and keep the 10-day duration which is what the task takes. When I put in 11/11 as the start date, TDX changes the duration to 7 days instead of recalculating the stop date to 11/22.

I also tried to use a template for a project I had already started and that was not a good idea as nothing worked for the tasks already started or completed in the past, especially pre-requisite calculations.

Let me know what else you need. Thanks - John Adams Tue 9/3/24 12:16 PM
Ah there isn't a particular setting that would enforce that the duration stay at 10 days in that scenario. It calculates based on what you have the current start and end dates set to. To enforce that duration you'd have to edit the Duration field and set it back to 10 in that specific scenario. - Mark Sayers Tue 9/3/24 2:22 PM
Okay Thanks. I'll open an enhancement request. In my opinion, the duration is the key when using a template since we define tasks with the appropriate duration and that should stay static. Appreciate the review and response. - John Adams Tue 9/3/24 2:29 PM