Microsoft Project - Task Durations

Durations

When the task names are entered an automatic duration is entered against each task. The automatic duration is of the value of one day whatever unit it is displayed in. There is also a question mark at the end. The question mark represents that the duration is estimated.

The units of duration are

m         minutes

h          hours

d          days

w          weeks

mo       months

The duration of each task is entered into the duration column as a value followed by a unit letter. When entering durations in the default unit the unit letter does not need to be entered at the end of the value as it will be assumed automatically.

It can be changed via the Tools, Options Menu.

The duration is measured in working time only. The value is that that is set in the Tools, options, Calendar Tab

If the duration needs to go into the non-working time, overnight or the weekend, then the duration can be prefixed by e for elapsed so that the working time can be ignored. A week is forty hours, an elapsed week (1ew) is Monday at 8:00 till the following Monday at 8:00