Using Network Diagrams in Project

To see the Network Diagram, on the View tab of the Ribbon click Network Diagram.

The Descriptive Network Diagram view is identical to the Network Diagram view, except for the size, and the detail of the boxes that represent tasks. The boxes on the Descriptive Network Diagram view are larger and can contain labels for the data elements in the box. These larger boxes take up more space, and thus fewer boxes fit on a printed page.

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To display the Descriptive Network Diagram view, click the Other Views command on the View tab, select More Views and then select the Descriptive Network Diagram:

Network Diagrams (the PERT Chart principle)

The term PERT is derived from Programme Evaluation and Review Technique which was invented for the management of Projects by paper based systems. The NETWORK DIAGRAM which has evolved from the PERT Chart is a diagrammatic view of the tasks where the position of the task and the lines linking them together represent the detailed steps that comprise the project. The Network Diagram view displays tasks and task dependencies in a network or flowchart format. A box (sometimes called a node) represents each task, and a line connecting two boxes represents the dependency between the two tasks.

It is possible to create a new project in the Network diagram or modify an existing project by adding and linking tasks.

• To create a new task, in an empty part of the Network diagram drag a rectangle shape with your mouse - a new node will appear ready for you to type in the details
• To create a new task that is linked to an existing task, click the existing task and drag with your mouse to an empty part of the diagram - a new node will appear ready for you to type in the details.

The Network Box (or Node)

A Network box consists of five fields, as illustrated below. The Task Name, Task ID, Scheduled Start Date, Scheduled Finished Date, and Task Duration are the default fields in the Network box. The Task Name field is white because it is currently ready for user input.

Change how the nodes are displayed

Note: By default, the network diagram shows critical tasks in red and displays one diagonal line through a task that is in progress and crossed diagonal lines through a completed task.

1. On the Format tab, click Box Styles.

2. In the Style settings for list, click the task category whose content and appearance you want to change.
3. Choose a different Data template - which changes what data is displayed on the node:

4. Under Border, choose the shape, colour, width, and gridline options to create the look you want.
5. Under Background, choose the required colour and pattern.
6. Click OK.

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Adjust the diagram layout

Depending on the structure of your project, the number of summary tasks and subtasks and the number and types of task links, the Network Diagram boxes may not be arranged as you expected. You can modify the layout by applying different box arrangements, adjusting various layout parameters, and applying one of two different link styles:

1. On the Format tab, click Layout.
2. Under Box Layout, in the Arrangement list, click how you want the boxes to be arranged.
3. For rows and columns, specify alignment, spacing, height, and width in the corresponding boxes.
4. To space boxes evenly, click Fixed in the Height and Width boxes.

Note: If you can't arrange Network Diagram boxes the way you want, you may want to position them manually: Click Allow manual box positioning, click OK, and then drag the boxes to the location you want.

Change the link line style

If you have many tasks that are linked to a predecessor or task, the link lines can overlap and be difficult to read in the Network Diagram view. You can change the style of the link lines and arrange them how you want. You can also display task dependency labels on the link lines.

On the Format tab, click Layout:

• To display link lines as straight lines between predecessor and successor task boxes, under Link style, click Straight.
• To display link lines as horizontal and vertical line segments connected at right angles between predecessor and successor task boxes, under Link style, click Rectilinear.
• To display labels on link lines identifying the task dependency and any lead or lag time under Link style, select the Show link labels check box.
• To display link lines with arrows indicating the predecessor and successor of tasks, under Link style, select the Show arrows check box.

The Network Diagram in a combination view

A combination view contains two views. The view in the bottom pane shows detailed information about the tasks or resources you select in the view in the top pane. For example, you can have the Gantt Chart view in the top pane and the Task Form view in the bottom pane. When you select a task in the upper view, the Task Form view displays detailed information about that task. The same applies to Network Diagrams.

In the illustration below the selected task is shown in detail in the lower pane where the Task Usage view is displayed:

To split the screen

1. On the View tab of the ribbon check the Details box
2. Click the drop down arrow to choose the Detail you wish to display.

Note: to remove the split, uncheck the Details box.

Navigating the Network Diagram

The table below summarises how to move around the Network Diagram with your keyboard and with your mouse.

Movement	Keys	Mouse
To a different NETWORK box	Arrow keys	Click the NETWORK box
Next field in NETWORK box	Tab or Enter	Click the field
Previous field in NETWORK box	Shift+Tab or Shift+Enter	Click the field
Page up or page down	Page Up or Page Down	On the vertical scroll bar, click the gray area above or below the scroll box
Page to the left or right	Ctrl+Page Up or Ctrl+Page Down	On the horizontal scroll bar, click the gray area on the left or right of the scroll box to scroll left or right in increments
To upper-left NETWORK box in project	Home
To lower-right NETWORK box in project	End
To upper-left NETWORK box on screen	Ctrl+Home
To lower-right NETWORK box on screen	Ctrl+End

Also see using tables in MS Project.