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Activity Code vs User Defined Field

8 replies [Last post]
Tue, 2009-01-27 01:26
Sandy Matheson
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It is possible to assign ’code’ values to activities either through ’Activity Code’ or using ’User Defined’ fields. I find User Defined easier to work with as the codes do not need to be pre-defined and when assigning codes the system does not continually refer to a code library to verify exisitence. What are the drawbacks from using the ’User Defined’ field.
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Replies

Wed, 2009-03-11 17:43
#1
Trevor Williams
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The Enterprise SDK file for retrieving and populating P6 is and excel spreadsheet named dictionary60.xls. It is pretty straight forward to use. You can also retrieve a global code from a schedule and convert the code field to a project or EPS codes and push it back in to the project, should you ever have the need to do so.

One use I have found for UDF’s are if you have multiple schedule and open them together and have a need to group by an activity code it will duplicate the code value for each file you have open. If you do the same with a UDF it will group all projects under on grouping band. Provided the spelling in the UDF is exactly the same in all schedules.

We operate on a citrix server and our global codes are locked down, so this is the only way to achieve grouping across multiple schedules that I have found so far. If anyone knows of a better way please let me know.

Trevor
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Sat, 2009-02-07 14:20
#2
Ali Farhat
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another thing, i think it is not practical to use UDF if you might export your schedule to other softwares, say P3.1, pertmaster etc...
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Tue, 2009-02-03 23:10
#3
Peter Nicol
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You are correct - i don’t have the details for this in front me right now, but I use the SDK to keep our resource list up to date based upon Oracle data.

I use the SDK to export the data from P6 first - tidy it up and then import back in... saves a lot of time as excel can be a lot easier to work with.

- Peter.
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Tue, 2009-02-03 05:37
#4
Dieter Wambach
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Sandy
As far as I remember there is a SDK-routine to provide this.
I don’t have SDK installed. It should be on your installation cd under other components. Theere is a special entry in the security profiles as well.
Regards
Dieter
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Tue, 2009-02-03 01:56
#5
Sandy Matheson
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OK, the agrument about validation of the codes has value. Now I have several hundred codes & decriptions(company defined/used) in excel format. How can I import these into P6 from Excel?
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Fri, 2009-01-30 07:16
#6
Lloyd Young
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Sandy,

I agree with the other two replies, Although i do use both Activity codes and User defined but i am using stand alone projects, as User Defined codes in a networked project means that someone else could change the code without you knowing. To be honest Activity coding is a good planning practice and also helps when filtering.

regards

L
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Wed, 2009-01-28 02:15
#7
Dieter Wambach
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Sandy
As Patricia wrote, the advantage of codes is, they are predefined with the same writing - not Manager, Mgr, Mgr (with a blank), Mgmt,... and under control of admins.
Both you’ll need for reporting, codes are more secure. If you cansecure same writing and understanding for UDF, they will be ok.
I have the same understanding as Patricia.
Regards
Dieter
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Tue, 2009-01-27 16:01
#8
Patricia Le Clainche
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Hello Sandy,

As far as I am concerned, I prefer to use Activity Codes.
I often work with the correct code column to update this field easily. When you have to put the same Code on many activities, you can use the "fill down" function. And the codes are formalised. You avoid "writing mistakes".

If you choose to use a User Defined field, you have to make sure someone else has not already taken it (when you are several people in writing access => Workpackage Mger, Programme Mger, Financial controler, planner...).
You have to make the rules clear for everybody.

Kindest regards.
Patricia
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