How to Add a Recurring Task in Microsoft Project
How to Add a Recurring Task in Microsoft Project
Most projects will have some form of recurring tasks. The obvious recurring tasks could be client review meetings, quality inspections, design review gates, etc.
Microsoft Project makes it very easy to add recurring tasks. However, I do advise that you avoid adding recurring tasks for status meetings or other regular activities that will not impact the schedule. A missed status meeting would not delay the project.
On the other hand, a client review meeting would be critical if your client needs to provide approval before proceeding with other tasks.
To add a recurring task in MS Project:
- Click on the line where you want to insert the recurring task (the tasks are added as a summary task)
- Click Task
- In the Tasks ribbon, click on the little arrow of Add Task and in the dropdown list, select Recurring Task…
Figure 1: Adding a Recurring Task in Microsoft Project
As shown in Figure 2, the Recurring Task Information dialog box appears. You can now set-up the recurring tasks by selecting the frequency or pattern to be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly.
You can refine the recurrence pattern by selecting how often and on what day the tasks occur.
In the example below, a recurring task is added for quality inspections. You will see that the recurring tasks will be added as a summary task with each recurring task being a subtask. You can then add predecessors where required.
Figure 2: Recurring Task Options
Example – Adding a Recurring Task
Figure 3: Gannt Table for Recurring Task Example
Figure 4: Example of Recurring Tasks
