actual effort vs duration

[Mark@nature]

I'm attempting to allocate resources to a task.

The task is expected to last 1 day. However, I do not want to be too
prescritive and state that the the task must start and complete on a specific
date, but, say, within a 5 day time frame (i.e. a working week).

Can this be modelled in MSP?

Kind regards,
Mark.

 

[Rick Roszko]

Insert column "Work" and "Actual Work" in your Gantt View

Use "Resource Usage" sheet and right click on the right panel to get "Work"
and "Actual Work" displayed to get each resource listed on each task
seperately so you know who did what when (assuming you have more than one
resource on a task)...

Okay, what you do is assign 5d for "Duration" in the Gantt View and 8h in
"Work".

Use the "Resource Usage" to add in the "Actual Work" when it is performed.

This will give the resource 8 hours of work which can be completed in the 5
day duration.

Please note, depending on whether you use Fixed Duration, Fixed Word or
Fixed Units, the behavior of MS Project will vary so try experimenting with
test data...

 

[Steve House]

I tend to think that in most case the task duration should reflect the
actual time work will actively take. So if a task will take 8 hours to
do, it's a one day task. The time you are allowing for it to be done is
reflected as a completion deadline on the task.

 

[Mark@nature]

Thank you Rick - this suggestion is spot on!
Mark.