Hi @ALL, This Primavera Scheduling Tips and Tricks 02-14 tackles the following issues: 1) P6 issue concerning activity dates and/or duration failing to translate correctly into the corresponding resource assignment. 2) P6 issue concerning resources or commodities failing to distribute to the expected time duration reflected in each activity correctly. It brings the start date but not the finish date. Comment/s are welcome. Rufran (080814)

1. Primavera Scheduling
Tips and Tricks 02-14
1) P6 issue concerning activity dates and/or
duration failing to translate correctly
into the corresponding resource
assignment.
2) P6 issue concerning resources or
commodities failing to distribute to the
expected time duration reflected in each
activity correctly. It brings the start date
but not the finish date.
2014
Rufran C. Frago, P. Eng., PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
Revision 0: August 7, 2014

2. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips & Tricks 02-14 Page 2 of 10 8/9/2014
Author: Rufran C. Frago, P. Eng., PMP, CCP, PMI-RMP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
1. SITUATION/PROBLEM................................................................................................................. 3
2. RELATED TOOLS.......................................................................................................................... 3
3. DEFINITION................................................................................................................................... 3
4. PROBLEM ANALYSIS (PA).......................................................................................................... 3
5. EXPLANATION.............................................................................................................................. 7
6. SOLUTION...................................................................................................................................... 8
7. REFERENCES................................................................................................................................. 9
8. ADDITIONAL READING MATERIALS....................................................................................... 9
9. APPENDICES.................................................................................................................................. 9
10. INDEX ....................................................................................................................................... 10

3. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 3 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
1. SITUATION/PROBLEM
1.1. Finish Date and/or duration of each activity corresponding to the resource
assigned to it does not transfer over to the resource time line when viewed in the
“Assignments” window.
1.2. It is only bringing the start date but not the finish date.
1.3. Progress report and resource analysis are incomplete delaying decision.
2. RELATED TOOLS
2.1. Project Management-Primavera P6.1 SP1, P6.2, P6.7 SP1/SP2 & P6.7SP4
3. DEFINITION
3.1. The term “User” in this document is the person using the Primavera scheduling
tool. He can be the planner, the scheduler, the Project Manager or anyone.
3.2. This is a relatively new issue encountered by some of our planners/schedulers in
major projects.
4. PROBLEM ANALYSIS (PA)
4.1. The schedule is resource-loaded. This is to makes sure that there are actually
active and valid resources in the schedule. Note that there is no error message.
4.2. All activity codes are in place and were in the code structure. A quick check will
help us group our points of concern quickly. This will help in the troubleshooting
process as we can zero in to whatever group of activity is affected.
4.3. All activities have the corresponding calendar assigned to them. Calendar
assignment will determine how resources are apportioned using a given time
period of days, weeks, or month.
4.4. Check the activities corresponding to the resources in question. Note the start and
finish date of each of the activities. Figure A below shows the schedule’s activity
window and some of their attributes.

4. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 4 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
4.5. Let us focus on just one activity to facilitate understanding. Note the highlighted
Activity MRFM3660 scheduled to start on 08-Feb-2016 and finish on 28-Apr-
2016. Everything looks normal.
Figure A - View showing the Early Start, Early Finish & Late Start, Late
Finish dates of activities

5. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 5 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
4.6. Let us now click the Assignment tab to check the resource distribution
corresponding to the same activity, MRFM3660 (Figure B).
Figure B - Assignments window showing the ES, EF & the resource distribution
4.7. Looking closer, we have identified the reported issue. The resource assigned to
MRFM3660 did not automatically distribute into the timeline. The entire quantity
of 4263 (see red boundary) remained under the May 2014 month column in the
distribution window. This is the data date month. The start date is correct at 08-
Feb-16 but the activity finish date that we see in Figure A failed to translate.
Instead, it took the start date of 08-Feb-16 resulting in duration of one day. Note
that the correct finish date should be 18-Apr-16.

6. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 6 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
Figure C – Closer look of Figure B
4.8. Checking the rest of the other activities, we found that they have the same issue.
It means the issue reported is pervasive across the schedule.
4.9. Is there a default setting affecting date translation that needs adjustment/change?
Is there something wrong with the assigned calendars and the attributes of the
resources related to its calendars?
4.10.Upon checking, we found that the Default Units/Time setting of the culprit
resource assigned to Activity MRFM3660 is set to zero (see arrow, Figure D).
Figure D – Resource Window showing the attributes like Max Units/Time,
Resource name, Calendar, Default Units/Time, and others

7. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 7 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
5. EXPLANATION
5.1. The default units/time is an attribute a planner/scheduler should set for any labor
resource or material resource added to the Primavera resource structure. This
value shall be according to what the project wants to be the number of units per
day.
5.2. If it is labor resource, it will be the number of hours per day. If a labor resource is
set to work 10 hour in a day, then the default is 10 hours/day.
5.3. If it is material resource, it will be the number of units per day; e.g. tons, linear
meter, square foot, etc. If a material resource is set to work 5 tons a day, then the
default is 5 tons/day.
5.4. We tested the Default Unit/Time set to zero (0) and found it is the reason why the
resource quantity failed to distribute. It is in fact controlling the distribution
across the timeline.
5.5. The quantity distributes through the timeline accordingly when any number
replaces zero (0). However, it only works on resource-loaded activity added after
the correction of the Default Units/Time.
5.6. We change the zero Default Units/Time setting of the culprit resource assigned to
Activity MRFM3660 to 10 hours/day. The quantity still did not distribute.
Reason: The activity exists before correction to the resource’s Default
Units/Time.
5.7. It means that Users should make sure that this particular setting is accurate,
noting most especially to avoid a zero value. Always remember that anything
divided by zero is undefined and any number multiplied by zero is zero.
5.8. Further inspection of the schedule shows that there were other resources with
default units/time set to zero. All these resources should have their default
units/time value corrected.
5.9. It is unbelievable that many planners & schedulers using P6 are not even aware
that such setting exists or if they know about it, that such setting affects resource
distribution.

8. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 8 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
6. SOLUTION
6.1. We experimented on manually correcting the proper finish date of each activity
and the quantities spread properly. This is an acceptable workaround if one has
the luxury of time. Imagine changing the finish dates of a relatively large
schedule of hundreds of activities not to mention thousands.
6.2. At this time, we know no automatic quick correction of the issue and Oracle has
not offered anything when asked. Our third party consultant did not come up
with a better solution as they recommended a manual correction of dates in the
resource assignment/distribution window.
6.3. An idea occurred today but we have not tested it yet. How about 1) correcting all
the erroneous Default Units/Time in your schedule. 2) In your activity window,
show all the activities. 3) Select all activities. 4) Cut all activities. 5) Paste all
activities back into the empty space. 6) Click Assignment tab and check if
Primavera considered the pasted activities as newly added activities.
Rationale: The activities will adopt the corrected Default Units/Time.
6.4. Second idea today but that we have not tested yet. How about 1) correcting all
the erroneous Default Units/Time in your schedule. 2) Click the WBS tab. 3)
Select all of the WBS structure. 4) Copy WBS. 5) Paste the copied WBS
structure to make a duplicate structure. 6) Click Assignment tab corresponding to
the newly added WBS and check if Primavera considered the duplicate activities
that came with the WBS as newly added activities. 7) If it did, delete the original
WBS Structure.
Rationale: The activities will adopt the corrected Default Units/Time.
6.5. Make sure to back up your project file before trying Section 6.3 and 6.4. These
are untested ideas only. Let us know if it worked, or any iteration similar to the
procedure. Note that doing so will be at your own risk.
6.6. Additional notes:
6.6.1. Do not forget to add the right curve to each resource. Curves are in place
in this specific case.
6.6.2. Ensure that the Drive Activity Dates button on each resource is checked. .
The drive button of each resource is set in this specific case.
6.6.3. Under Time Distributed Data of the User Preferences in the resource’s
analysis tab there is an option for the interval in which to distribute the

9. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 9 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
resource data. Set this to what you want; e.g. day, week or month. The
correct time unit is in place in this specific case.
7. REFERENCES
7.1. Frago, R. (31-Jul-14). Log book-Troubleshooting records
7.2. Frago, R. (2014). Primavera P6.7 SP4 Activity dates translation issue needs a
solution.LinkedinPrimaveraGroup collaboration.
7.3. Frago, R. (2014).Oracle Community Forum
8. ADDITIONAL READING MATERIALS
8.1. User’s Manual Primavera P6.1 SP1, P6.2, P6.7 SP1/SP2 & P6.7SP4
8.2. Planning Planet ForumThread, 2012.Default Units / Time.Retrieved from
http://www.planningplanet.com/forums/primavera-version-pm5-
pm6/525280/default-units-time
8.3. Planning Planet ForumThread, 2011.Calculate remaining units per time from
crew sizes.Retrieved from http://www.planningplanet.com/forums/primavera-
version-pm5-pm6/506537/calculate-remaining-units-time-crew-sizes
8.4. Oracle Community Thread, (2008). Default Units/Time Format.Retrieved from
https://community.oracle.com/thread/883506?start=0&tstart=0
9. APPENDICES
9.1. NONE

10. 080714-Rufran's Primavera Scheduling Tips Tricks 02-14 Page 10 of 10
Author: RUFRAN C. FRAGO, P.Eng, PMP®, CCP, PMI-RMP®
10. INDEX
“User” ................................................... 5
ADDITIONAL READING
MATERIALS.................................. 11
Assignment tab...................................... 7
automatic quick correction.................. 10
back up................................................ 10
Calendar assignment ............................. 5
date translation...................................... 8
Default Unit/Time set to zero ............... 9
default units/time .................................. 9
DEFINITION ........................................ 5
EXPLANATION................................... 9
INDEX ................................................ 12
manually correcting ............................ 10
PROBLEM ANALYSIS........................ 5
REFERENCES.................................... 11
RELATED TOOLS............................... 5
SITUATION/PROBLEM...................... 5
SOLUTION......................................... 10
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................... 2
Time Distributed Data......................... 10