A master project is like a shell project that contains many subprojects. It allows you to work with any number of projects as if they were a single entity. A master project includes the project properties but does not contain any data.
A master project cannot contain another associated master project.
The master project and all of the sub-projects must contain the same control account fields.
The options selected for the master project are generally used for all subprojects when processing at the master-project level.
The master project defines the scheduling tool and linking fields. Not all subprojects must be linked to a schedule; but, if the subproject is linked to a schedule, it must be the same scheduling tool and use the same linking fields.
The access control for all subprojects is set/managed at the master project level.
When viewing data based on the Assignment Mapping Hierarchy, project level code assignments are accessed at the subproject level.
Depending on the functions you intend to perform on the master project, all of the subprojects may need to use the same configuration. For example, if you plan to enter progress using the master project, the period end date needs to be the same for all subprojects. if you only plan to run a report at the master project level, this isn’t necessary.
Validation of subprojects is not performed when you access the view. Instead, you can click the Validate button in the Project Form view to perform the following subproject validations:
If the project is configured for cost progress, and the option to update ETC is selected, do all projects have the same class and cost set specified in the master project?
Is the master project period end date the same for all subprojects?
Do the master project forecast dates match the date set used for forecast data (early/late/scheduled)?
Do the master project and subprojects that are linked to a schedule use the same scheduling tool and linking fields?
Are all of the control fields on the Fields tab the same as the master project?
Are the settings for Number of Days Before Period End to Create Progress Entries and the Progress Cycle Frequency the same for the master project and subprojects?
If any of the above answers is No, PM Compass displays a message box letting you know that there was an error and an email is sent to the address assigned to the logged in user who clicked the Validate button.
The Enter Schedule/Cost Progress and Approve Schedule/Cost Progress Navigation menu options provide an easy way for you to access progress for master projects. Another way you can do this is to select a project from the Projects List View. If you use the Project Search dialog box, you can select the Show Master Projects option to limit the search to master projects.
When you access the view for the first time, the grid is blank and you must use the Search feature to select an activity/control account. The next time you access the view, PM Compass remembers your selection. If the master project is no longer available, or you wish to view a different project, you can use the Search field to make a different selection. Access control is based on the master project. The subproject access control settings are ignored.
This view is filtered using the Assignment Mapping grid and the Progress Admin Group on the System Settings Progress tab.
When you access the view, some data comes from the master project and some from the subprojects. The data that comes from the master project is as follows:
Project Preferences:
Spread ETC according to existing ETC spread
Allow Negative ETC
Prevent editing of historical time phased values
Access Control
Cobra Fields and Files tabs definitions
PM Compass Progress tab settings
The data that comes from the subprojects is as follows:
Source system to update
Project level code assignments for the assignment mapping hierarchy and reporting
Process to create progress entries
When you are in Enter/Approve Cost Progress, you only see projects that have the source system to update set to cost. Similarly, when you are in Enter/Approve Schedule Progress, you only see projects that have schedule as the source system to update.
When you access the Enter Cost Progress view, PM Compass checks to see that the master project contains the cost set and classes needed for entering an ETC (if that option is selected). PM Compass assumes that all subprojects have the same setting therefore no subprojects are validated when accessing this view.
The My Cost Analysis and My Schedule Analysis Navigation menu options under Projects display data from the selected master project to which the current user has rights. These menu options provide an easy way for you to analyze activities and/or work packages assigned to you based on the assignment mapping hierarchy. You can see how assignment mapping is set up on the Progress tab in System Settings.
When you access the view for the first time, the grid is blank and you must use the Search feature to select an activity/control account. The next time you access the view, PM Compass remembers your selection. If the master project is no longer available, or you wish to view a different project, you can use the Search field to make a different selection. Access control is based on the master project. The subproject access control settings are ignored.
The views are automatically filtered to display only activities/work packages based on the assignment mapping hierarchy. If you are a member of the Progress Admin group, you will be able to see all of the activities/work packages.
The Analysis view is flat (that is, no hierarchy) and you only see the records that are assigned to you.
You cannot view relationship lines in the barchart in the My Schedule Analysis view. They are only available for single projects in the Schedule Analysis view.
You need to link schedules to the subprojects and configure the linking fields for the Master Project.
If you do not have a Cobra subproject, you need to label the cost system fields on the Project Fields tab before you can link the schedule since the cost system fields on the Schedule Integration tab will be read-only until they are labeled.
When you select a master project in Project Search on the <Report> Search dialog box, subproject details are included in the reports.
You can use the report Sorting/Grouping tab in Cost Analysis reporting to group by project.
Make project (or subproject) visible in PM Compass
Cannot select linking fields in a PM Compass-only master project
Using Open Plan Master Projects
Enter Cost/Schedule progress for a master project
Approve Cost/Schedule progress for a master project
View Cost/Schedule Analysis for a master project