Work Done in Parallel

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction software. However we still keep the manuals online, for die-hard MacNail users! Goldenseal runs on Macintosh and Windows computers, and handles accounting, construction estimating, and project management, plus simple construction project scheduling.

Parallel Work

The *Parallel Work command allows you to have two items (or groups of items) done at the same time. Special formulas will be added to the start date column to handle the parallel nature of the work.

This feature adds some "critical path" capacity to the MacNail construction scheduling software. However, *Parallel Work is limited in its powers-- you can't have more than two items or groups of items in parallel, and you are not allowed to overlap parallel items. If you need full critical path scheduling, export the MacNail schedule to MacProject and use that program instead (see page 104).

To perform two groups of schedule items in parallel:
1. Select the first group of items by dragging the mouse through their rows.
2. Choose *Parallel Work from the Formula menu.
3. You will be asked to select the other group of items to be done in parallel with the first group. Click on the worksheet at the location of the parallel items.
4. Click OK.

Using Parallel Items

The MacNail project management software uses special sequencing formulas at several points when items are done in parallel. Each row that contains a modified formula will be flagged with a ¶ mark in column A. In addition, all parallel work items will be flagged with a * in the start date column (column B).

NOTE: Older MacNail schedules may not have room to display the new "flagged" dates in column B. To widen the column slightly, click anywhere in column B, choose Column Width from the Format menu, and type in a larger number. You may need to unprotect the document to allow the column width to be changed.

The MacNail construction scheduling software will not let you overlap parallel items, since it could cause circular references or other formula errors. You are also prevented from using any items marked with a ¶ in other parallel links.

The *Add Rows Here, *Delete Rows, *Clear Rows, and *Move Selected Items commands will not work on any of the special formula rows that are flagged with a ¶.

For best results, make all other modifications to the schedule before you set up work in parallel. The parallel formulas are sensitive and may otherwise be damaged.

Removing Parallel Items

To remove all parallel work items from a schedule, choose *Clean All Formulas from the Formula menu. This will restore the the schedule to its original sequence, and remove all ¶ and * marks.

WARNING: The *Clean All Formulas command will restore all date formulas to the default method (see page 48). Any fixed dates or alternate time formulas that you entered previously will be lost.