In a few of instances, we’ve found after installing fastProject, fastProject crashes every time you click on any of the fastProject tabs in the ribbon. The problem is due to an update in Microsoft Project that was released in the June 2020.
The solution is to update your Microsoft Project. At a minimum, it should be later than the above update.
Fixed setting a Target Date problem when dates are in UK date format (dd/mm/yyyy), where a Target date would default to today if was an invalid US date (e.g. 31/08/2020).
Baselines
Color changed to a light orangey-yellow to make it more visible
Baseline bar for summary tasks now appears above the Summary bar (same as task bar). Note: you will need to update your Views: Tools > Restore > Restore Views
Bug fixed where a critical path was not displayed if it started with a Touchpoint task (not a milestone)
Can now import a duration on a non-started task which has the effect of changing the duration in the schedule
Improved the scenario when no tasks are updated. The user is now informed that all tasks are updated to the current date and there is no additional dialog box to “quit” from.
Fixed bug when generating the PreFresh report if the lookahead number of days was greater than a few hundred
Fixed bug where the “Last Update” info returned no results of run on the same day as an update and there were no in-progress tasks
Fixed problem where the number of days to Lookahead in the PreFresh report couldn’t be changed (shortcut added so can just double-click an manually enter a number) a new value
Added “Remove All Deadlines” option under the Negative Float test
Going to a task in the linked schedule now automatically displays the critical path to that task
Fixed bug where a non-started roll-up task that was part of a different schedule got it’s date constraint removed, putting it back to the beginning of the project
On July 14th, 2020, Microsoft released an update for Microsoft Project for 2010, 2013 and 2016. This update causes fastProject to not open when double-clicking on the fastProject icon.
This problem has been addressed with the release of fastProject 4.10.0. After installing, there are now two ways to open fastProject:
Double-clicking on the fastProject icon (as usual) or
Double-clicking on a Microsoft Project (mpp) file. There is now no need to open fastProject first.
After installing version 4.10.0, if fastProject doesn’t work, it can be one of two things:
You need a license key. If you have an older version of fastProject that required the PC Name rather than a license key, you need to go through the following steps to obtain a license key (https://lateralworks.com/tools/2020/3/23/activating-fastproject).
The Global did not get installed in the correct location and may have to moved manually:
First, navigate to the folder:
For MS Project 2013: c:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\MS Project\15\1033
For MS Project 2016: c:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\MS Project\16\en-US
Second, look at the file size of the file Global.mpt.
If it is less than 2 MB, it means the Global.mpt did not get installed and can be installed by navigating to c:\Program Files\fastProject\System (or c:\Program Files (x86)\fastProject\System) and copying the Global.mpt file to the location in the previous step
If it more than 10 MB, then the Global.mpt file has been installed correctly. In this case, please contact us directly to resolve this problem.
If you have been sent a Global.mpt file from lateralworks, please also install it it either:
c:\Program Files\fastProject\System (64-bit MS Project) or
c:\Program Files (x86)\fastProject\System (32-bit MS Project)
Fixes problem starting fastProject after recent Microsoft Security Update released on July 14, 2020 (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4484441/security-update-for-project-2016-july-14-2020)
Fixed problem where a roll-up critical path was incorrectly identified as a near-term critical path
Fixed problem where ignored Touchpoints/Checkpoints/Deliverables were still listed in the PreFresh report, bu as tasks
Fixed bug where importing a PreFresh report with an invalid UID would cause a crash
Fixed bug where an invalid UID would not be reported in the report
When using a file list:
When there’s only one file in the list, the file is now opened directly, but they are still copied to the Downloads folder prior to the roll-up as a backup. They will only be deleted if the “Delete schedules after update” is checked on the start-up window.
Delete schedules after update option removed
Timing analysis option removed
If the files are located on Dropbox, local Dropbox path is automatically substituted for the Dropbox path the schedule were rolled-up with whenever rolling up and or using the “Goto task in micro schedule” function.
Fixed crash when a micro schedule was not found (could happen due to drive mapping)
Fixed problem where importing the Effort Lookahead Report when there was only one task would cause a crash
Fixed problem reporting the Baseline in the Effort Report
Fixed bug where going back to a previous task would go back to the beginning of the project
Fixed a critical bug where the judgements could switch position when deleting an objective
Fixed problem where the best fit was displayed at the top of the pair-wise when consistency was 100%
Improved performance in calculation of the objectives and inconsistencies
Improved calculation of the inconsistencies - gap between current judgement and best fit now measured, and when below a threshold, the inconsistency highlight is removed
Consistency threshold changed to 90%
Fixed bug where light-grey numbers could appear below the pair-wise
Bug fixed where changing a rating could cause fD to crash if the alternatives had not yet been ranked
Exporting Touchpoints, Checkpoints and Deliverables now only exports non-completed milestones
Filter task added to context menu
Fixed problem with the “All tasks” filter not found when performing a Reset when in the Resource Pool view
Fixed “flashing” when perform a Reset
Overflow bug fixed when generating the Effort Report, which could happen when all tasks are earlier than the current date.
Fixed Find being set to “equals” rather than “contains” after going to linked task in the macro-micro roll-up
Fixed problem when running the PostFresh report where the PreFresh report was generated instead
Improved functionality in macro-micro roll-up where predecessor dependencies now don’t have to flow down (a.k.a. in a waterfall fashion)
Going to a linked task in a macro-micro scenario, now only displays the task and subtasks if the roll-up task is a summary task. In addition, it setups up the screen with the splitter and position of the current date to the left.
Fixed bug in macro-micro roll-up where the start date of a macro task that doesn’t have a rolled-up predecessor and when the start/finish dates didn’t match with the micro task, would be set to the finish date of the micro task rather than the start date
Fixed problem when updating the progress of a macro task, where the micro task was a summary task with no current in-progress tasks (they were either not started or all in the future)
Improved critical path interface in the Inspector when the number of Targets > 40
Minor formatting changes of the Critical Path Analysis chart
Added name of custom column in title when exporting Touchpoints/Checkpoints/Deliverables
Bug fixed in duration analysis where blank lines would appear
Filter Task/Filter 2 Tasks fixed
New filter added to filter on all incomplete tasks within a date range and no summaries
Modified unique code generation when requisition a license to avoid hidden characters
New (simpler and faster) PreFresh report along with a new improved (faster) PreFresh import (both default default and advanced)
Improved LAR formatting when uploaded to Google Docs
Added new function/filter in sub-menu: “Show tasks updated on”
Fixed bug where the Start date of tasks with their Touchpoint flag set would get moved to their Finish date
Fixed bug where the roll-up dates of a Summary task in the micro schedule were being reported as not matching with the macro due to a Target in the Summary task (specifically, when the Target was later than the finish date of the Summary)
Fixed similar bug when the Target date was earlier than the start date of any subtask, and thus reported an incorrect start date of the roll-up summary task
Fixed bug where the update date wasn’t recorded in the macro under some circumstances
Fixed bug where the update date wasn’t updated in the micro
Spurious Black dots on the Wigglechart fixed
Trend Analysis now extended to all tasks and can be based on a partial part of the task name
Fixed problem where tasks exceeded from analysis were reported as errors for the tests Summary No Milestone and Skips End Milestone.
Fixed bug where Roll-down touchpoints on tasks had their date changed by the schedule clean-up function, which ended up moving the start date of the task out to the Touchpoint date
Brand new Critical Path Analysis chart
Added ability to do a late report for All Targets in the schedule
Late Report:
Now includes both Late Start and Late Finish - the Split Bar now snaps so all columns are displayed
Fixed bug where all tasks were not displayed if the near-term critical paths mode was set
Fixed problem in the Critical Path Analysis chart where an incorrect Target could be displayed if the Wiggle milestone had Subprojects as a predecessor task.
Fixed problem with the “Select Target” pop up box opening up when the number of targets is more that the max number of targets (currently set at 40)
Link to latest release notes fixed
Modified unique code generation when requesting a license to avoid hidden characters
Fixed error displayed when showing the Ideal alternative
Fixed bug when changing from a Custom rating to a Linear rating
New licensing scheme introduced based on a License Key. The License Key is valid even if the user replaces their machine, and should therefore be kept in a safe place.
More here: https://lateralworks.com/tools/2020/3/23/activating-fastproject
Pluralization of a renamed milestone (Touchpoint, Checkpoint or Deliverable) now made smarter
Add Action
Added back into the Context Menu
Flag14 now used to identify an action and task now not highlighted, so Notes and Actions are treated differently.
Marked tasks functionality in the Tools now aligned with Notes and Actions
Improved speed of displaying Touchpoints/Checkpoints/Deliverables
Analysis tools (Trend, Duration, WBS, X-Functional) now grouped under one split button “Analysis”
Updated support e-mail to contact@lateralworks.com
Show/Hide Targets moved to Target dropdown in the Tools tab
Show Custom Tab option added to the General tab of options, which allows the Custom tab to be visible or hidden. This is disabled if there are no custom tabs.
Added “Restore Excel Reference” to Tools > Restore
Negative Float now depict an arrow pointing left to indicate the task needed to have started earlier to honor the dependency.
New filter added FP::filter task incomplete (no summaries)
Fixed a problem when importing a LAR: an in-progress task that was marked as not-started in the LAR is now correctly converted to a not-started task in the schedule
Tab colors now correct when Targets within subprojects and not updated in the Wigglechart
Deliverable (Flag16) now included in the Analyzer’s “No Successors” test (it was previously excluded)
Date Constraints in the Future now ignored by the Analyzer for Deliverable milestones
Adding a milestone at the end of a summary task will now automatically be completed if the summary task (and by implication all subtasks) are completed
Automatically adding a milestone to a Summary task will now automatically complete the milestone if the Summary task is complete
Split tasks now automatically fixed when running the automatic fix for Manual/Split tasks
Bug fixed where no Manual tasks were found, but multiple tasks were found and fixed when the auto-fix was run
Bug fixed where a Target problem was incorrectly identified when the Targets were in a Subproject
Bug fixed where a dependency could be removed if the predecessor task as a Start-to-Start with a positive lag
Added the option for the Late Simulator to export the task information to Excel
Show/Hide Summaries added to Trend Analysis (Advanced)
Bug fixed when it was possible to get an Overflow error message using the Focus Now report
Toggle button for Marked tasks now correctly displayed the correct toggle position if the task is marked
Updating a task now updates the “Last Updated” date so the correct date appears on the Effort Report chart
decisionAccelerator is now called fastDecision. The new version number is 4.0.
New licensing scheme introduced based on a License Key. The License Key is valid even if the user replaces their machine, and should therefore be kept in a safe place.
Instructions to request a license key and activate fastProject. This license key can be used for both fastProject and fastDecision, and it can be used again if you change computers, without having to contact lateralworks.
Read MoreInstructions to request a license key and activate fastDecision.
Read MoreInstructions to request a license key and activate fastProject.
Read MoreUpdate portfolio example to be compatible with the new context menu
Speed improvements calculating the consistency when performing the pair-wise judgements
Made compatible with all regions where e.g. list separators, currency formats, etc. vary
Resource Tables added back to Global
Context Menu reworked (removed: Add Action, Notes & Highlight, added: Update Task)
Problem fixed with “Link to Last Milestone” where some VBA commands available in 32-bit MS Project were not available in 64-bit MS Project
fastBuild
Bug fixed where the Project Mission box in Step 2 (Milestones) would shift right each time the user when back to Step 2
Bug fixed where adding a Touchpoint, Checkpoint or Deliverable did not update the Inspector
Target selected after an Update now determined by the setting of fastProject Options > Inspector > Default Target
Wigglechart now lists the gap (days early/late) in the summary information when a milestone is completed.
New function “Focus Now” added. Lists all tasks that meet criteria based on: the Target milestone selected (or Project), Starting/Finishing before a selected date, Days from Critical Path within a set number of days, and where the task is optionally Not started/In-progress.
Added ability to turn on/off summaries within No Group is selected for the Late Report
Fixed bug where closing the Late Report using the ‘x’ in the top right of the form would exit without resetting the schedule
Fixed bug where Target milestones were also listed
Clarified the number of days late are calendar days when the gap button is invoked
Fixed start-up error if “ Show the Start screen when this application starts” was checked in Options > General
Fixed bug where tasks would be sorted by the Late Start by default
Right-mouse click menu added for faster access to dA functionality:
Context menu items are sensitive based on whether the cell is an Objective, Alternative or Constraint
Clicking anywhere else on a model reveals a reduced set of Excel functions
Reset Priorities is always visible when on a model, no matter where the user clicks
Clicking on a non-model reveals the standard Excel menu
Bug fixed where it was possible to delete the first alternative in the list when there was only two alternatives (the user should have been prompted a model must have a minimum of two alternatives).
Negative Float line added to milestones in the FP::model view
Fixed bug where “Link from first task” would cause an incorrect row much later in the schedule to be selected, which in some cases gave the appearance that all tasks had disappeared
Automatic recalculate now overs when a file is opened so custom fields are automatically recalculated
Importing a schedule
All task bars now visible (not hidden)
Fixed bugs where blank lines were not removed
Fixed bug where summary tasks were set to Manual if any of the subtask’s durations were set to estimated
Fixed bug where, the import would fail if a task had been broken down into subtasks between issuing the LAR and importing it.
Tasks Late To Target Simulator * NEW *
A new feature that answers the question “How many days do I need to pull-in each task to hit my Target date” has been introduced, located under the CP Analysis button in the Inspector.
First select a Target from the Inspector
Select one of three views - tasks that are Late to Target, On-time to Target and All tasks to Target. The tasks late to Target have negative float and two columns are added: Latest Start (the latest date each task can start to hit target) and Days To Pull-in which is the equivalent number of days to equal the Latest Start date.
Make sure to select the “Reset Simulator” button to reset the simulator.
For nerds (that’s you Tom!): the simulator puts a Must Finish On date constraint on the Wiggle milestone equal to the date of its Target date. the Reset Simulator ensures it’s removed.
Improved checking and fixing of Targets
Added Show, Set & Clear functions for the Target and Wiggle milestone settings (avoids having to display the Flag1 and Flag2 columns)
Clean-up now converts tasks with durations not expressed as days into days
Added option (in fP Options) to select whether the Analyzer automatically removes duplicate dependencies when run. Default is it does.
Fixed bug where a duplicate dependency would be removed if one of the predecessors had a negative lag but finishing earlier than one of it’s other predecessors. Tasks with negative lag are therefore now ignored.
Added new functionality to the Import Lookahead Report, to allow the user to ignore not updated tasks. this would then update those tasks updated in the LARR, then those tasks not updated would be caught during the manual update.
Days Remaining and Predicted Finish Date now shown by default
Fixed bug in PreFresh Report where highlighted Summary tasks were listed in the Lookahead Report
Fixed bug where starting “From This Task” would start from the beginning of the schedule and not the selected task
Additional notes not added when Wigglechart run on the same day
Calculate manually added back to the Objectives tab. This is a global “do not calculate flag” so changing the objective’s pair-wise or the alternative’s rankings does not recalculate the objectives or the alternatives. This is primarily used for those with laptops from the Stone Age.
Fixed bug where the error message “Must be on a model.” would appear, even if on a decision model.
Consistency now turned off during sensitivity analysis
Fixed problem where sorting the objectives after performing a sensitivity analysis more than two times would cause the original pair-wise judgements to be lost
Fixed problem when deleting an objective, where selecting an entire row (vs. just the objective’s name) would cause 16,364 cells to be deleted
Fixed problem where “Calculate pair-wise” remained checked when “Force rank” was unchecked
Improved representation of bars in the rankings table with only positive and negative values and when “high values are good” and “low values are good”
