Export to MS Project

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You can export project-related data (tasks, durations, resources, etc) from diagrams which can then be imported into MS Project. High level tasks can be shown graphically with the ability to drill down to view more detail, i.e. sub-tasks. Supporting information such as forms, templates and staffing hints and tips can then be attached to the specific task. Exporting to MS Project allows you to view the day-to-day tracking and monitoring of a project and you can include resources and costing information.

 

Note: Microsoft Project must be installed on your PC.

 

 

Preparing to export to MS Project

 

•Ideally a standard map should exist which is specific to the project approach, methodology or framework. This map should set out the standard tasks, durations and resources.

 

•Open the standard map and save as a new map which can then be tailored to meet the specific needs and approach of the project.

 

•If necessary, modify the resources, durations, etc., until you are happy. Alternatively, create a new map with tasks, durations and resources.

 

 

 

 

1.From the File menu choose Import/Export and then choose one of the following options:

 

•Export to MS Project (MPX) for MS Project 2000 and earlier.

•Export to MS Project (XML) for MS Project 2003 and later.

 

2.Click Choose Location to specify the location where you want to create the MS Project file.

 

3.Choose the start date for the project from the Project Start Date selector.

 

4.Choose the scope of diagrams to export.

 

5.Select or deselect Export default work periods and Export activity dates, as required.

 

6.To change the language and include resources from the parent activity, click the Advanced tab.

 

7.Click Export.

 

Conversion Rules

The following rules and principles are applied for the conversion to a MS Project format:

 

TIBCO Nimbus®

MS Project

Activity boxes and titles

Tasks (name truncated to 200 characters)

Activity ID numbers

Task WBS number

Activity text

Task name

Activity bubble notes

Task notes

Activity durations

Task duration if lowest level task, otherwise calculated automatically from totals of lower level tasks

Task start and finish dates

Calculated automatically based on duration and project start date

Resources on tasks (including % allocated, even if hidden)

Added as resources to task

Resource rates and information fields

Added to resource library with rates and notes

Flow lines between activities

Task dependencies (all converted as Finish-to-Start type links)

Child activities, e.g. Activity 8 on diagram 1.1 has child activities on diagram 1.1.8

Sub tasks

Free text (no drill downs)

Ignored

Images (no drill downs)

Ignored

Free text (with drill downs)

Ignored

Images (with drill downs)

Ignored

Calendars

MS Project standard (8 hours/day, 5 days/week, no public holidays, week commencing Monday)

 

The project may need tweaking in MS Project. Note, however, that it is not backward compatible, i.e. you cannot import it back into TIBCO Nimbus® . Use the map as the project repository and attach all project documentation to it, i.e. the project scope document to the tasks called Scope Project. You can even create a link from the top level of the map to the MS Project plan.

 

The entire project is the map. The methodology/approach that the team can follow, a MS Project plan, project documentation and correspondence attached to the relevant step. You can also package the entire project and send it to a colleague. At the end of the project you can simply package the map to archive it as one file.

 

Unpackaged Maps

 

If you have unpackaged the map then the resources will not have been added to the Resource Library, meaning that the export will not be complete. To remedy this, open the map in TIBCO Nimbus®  and double-click each resource to transfer the resources into the Resource Library. Then you can update the resource rates and any information fields.