Applying specific distributions to individual tasks

You specify the distribution that you want to use each time you carry out risk analysis, on the Risk Settings tab of the Risk Analysis dialog. You can also specify that particular distributions should be used with individual tasks. If you apply a specific distribution to a task, this distribution is always used for that particular task when the duration of tasks is determined during risk analysis, regardless of the distribution that you select on the Risk Settings tab of the Risk Analysis dialog.

Applying distributions to individual tasks gives you a great deal of control and precision over the way in which risk analysis is carried out. However, applying distributions to individual tasks can be time-consuming. You may want to apply distributions to certain key individual tasks and use the distribution that you select on the Risk Settings tab of the Risk Analysis dialog for less key tasks.

To apply a distribution to an individual task:

Right-click the task to which you want to apply a distribution and select Properties. The Bar and Task Properties dialog appears.
Click the Task tab.
In the left pane of the dialog, click Risk Analysis.
Select the distribution that you want to apply to the task in the Task distribution field.

To specify that the distribution that you select on the Risk Settings tab of the Risk Analysis dialog should be used for the task during risk analysis, select Default in this field.
Click Close.

You can also apply distributions to individual tasks by displaying the Task distribution field in the spreadsheet and selecting the distributions that you want to apply to tasks in this field.