This is a short presentation on how to quickly set up a MS Project Plan to use Graphical Indicators to more quickly & efficiently identify tasks that are late, when they are due, or if they were not schedule.

1. Graphical Indicators in MS Project
Marc Piescienski
PPL PM Community Meeting - 04/06/2015
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2. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas
 Graphical Indicators and Formulas are
an excellent way to help manage large
and complex Project Plans.
 They are used to “flag” tasks for a variety
of purposes, such as:
Tasks that are late.
Tasks that are coming due.
Tasks that are over budget.
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3. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas
 In the following example, we are using
Graphical Indicators to quickly help
identify tasks that are:
Late by Over 1 Week
Late by 1-4 Days
Due Within 1 Week
Due Within 2 Weeks
Due Within 3 Weeks
Complete
Not Scheduled
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4.  In this example, the Graphical Indicator is
working hand-in-hand with a formula,
which automatically generates the desired
results. Please see the formula below:
IIf(datevalue([Finish])=#1/1/1985#,"Not Scheduled",IIf([%
Complete]=100,"Complete",IIf([Finish]-[Current Date]>29,"Over 4 Weeks
Away",IIf([Finish]-[Current Date]>22,"Due Within 4 Weeks",IIf([Finish]-
[Current Date]>15,"Due Within 3 Weeks",IIf([Finish]-[Current Date]>8,"Due
Within 2 Weeks",IIf([Finish]-[Current Date]>0,"Due Within 1 week",IIf([%
Complete]=100,"Complete",IIf((ProjDateDiff(datevalue([Finish]),Datevalue([
Current Date]),[Project Calendar])/480)>5,"Late by Over 1
Week",IIf((ProjDateDiff(datevalue([Finish]),Datevalue([Current Date]),
[Project Calendar])/480)>0,"Late by 1-4 Days","Not Late"))))))))))
Use of Custom Fields & Formulas (continued)
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Note: This date should be 1+ day beyond the Start Date listed in Project Plan

5. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas (continued)
 How to get started:
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6. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas (continued)
 Customized Field window:
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7. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas (continued)
 Project Plan without Graphical Indicators:
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8. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas (continued)
 Project Plan with Graphical Indicators:
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9. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas (continued)
 The use of auto-filters is also very
effective:
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10. Use of Custom Fields & Formulas (continued)
 Quick & informative views:
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11. Q&A?
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