Import Project from IFS to Microsoft Project

Explanation

A project in IFS Project can be integrated with a Microsoft Project file by using the IFS Integration to Microsoft Project. To use this integration, IFS Add-in for Microsoft Project needs to be installed. When this Add-in is installed, you will be able to access IFS Project by using the IFS Cloud menu shown on the menu bar in Microsoft Project. In this menu, select the Connect to IFS option to establish a connection to the desired IFS environment.

When connected to an IFS environment, you can import a project from IFS Project to the active Microsoft Project file through the Import function. All information necessary for project planning purposes is handled in the integration, such as project information, the work breakdown structure and activities with their relevant information. In addition, for each import, it can be configured whether certain data types should be transferred, such as dependencies, constraints, resources and resource assignments.

An import can either update an existing project or create an entirely new project plan in an empty Microsoft Project file. The import will update the entire work breakdown structure by adding new activities and sub projects, as well as modifying existing activities and sub projects. As a result of the import, activities and sub projects that exist only in the Microsoft Project file will be deleted.

Prerequisites

• Microsoft Project must be installed.
• The IFS Project Add-in for Microsoft Project must be installed.
• The project ID must exist in IFS Project.
• You must have access to the entire project to perform the import.

System Effects

• When the Import menu option is run for the very first time, a new table is automatically created in Microsoft Project which is used for the integration to IFS Project.
• The active Microsoft Project file is updated. If there is no active file in Microsoft Project, a blank project is opened and updated.
• The Microsoft Project file is updated with information from the IFS project. Data in the IFS Project will be imported to the Microsoft Project as specified in detail in About Integration to Microsoft Project.
  • The sub projects and activities will be imported as tasks to Microsoft Project. All tasks will be outlined in a hierarchical order according to their placement in the work breakdown structure in IFS Project. Activities are outlined below their respective sub projects.
  • Activities and sub projects that exist only in the Microsoft Project file will be deleted.
  • If the Resource Assignments check box in the Import Project from IFS dialog box is selected, all resource allocations to project activities are imported together with the basic data for these resources. By selecting the Project Resources check box, all resources connected to the company of project including those that are not allocated, will be imported with the basic data information. Resource Information in Microsoft Project will be created or updated.
  • If the Constraints check box in the Import Project from IFS dialog box is selected, information about constraints on activities will be imported. If no constraint type is set on the activity in IFS Project, the activity in Microsoft Project will get the As Soon as Possible default constraint type. Constraints in Microsoft Project will be created or updated.
  • If the Dependencies check box in the Import Project from IFS dialog box is selected, information about activity dependencies including dependency type and lag in days, will be imported. Dependencies in Microsoft Project will be created, updated or deleted.