Assigning Resources?

[NewsGroup]

We can assign human resources to a project.
Is it possible to have an accout of the material resources available and
allocate them to projects?
(eg)I have 20 computers available.
I need 10 computers for 1 task.
Is it possible to assign materia; resources as we do for human resources?

Meena.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Half of the answer is yes, half is no.
You can assign material resources allright (in resource sheet select
Material as type) and assign them to tasks; Project willl calculate
consumption and add their cost to total cost.
So far for the good news.

It is not possible however to have an account for resources available, and
there is no coupling between material resources and the schedule.

Hope this helps,

 

[Steve House]

Yes, you can assign material resources but the scenario you posed in your
question is NOT one of assigning of material resources. A material resource
is an item that is either a: incorporated into the final deliverable; or b:
is consumed by the activity of creating that deliverable. Your computers
doesn't fit into either caregory. If your project was to install POS
terminals in a chain of retail stores and the 10 computers were the actual
terminals that you're installing for delivery to the customer, then they'd
be material resources. Fuel to operate a generator needed to power those 10
computers while people worked with them in a remote location without regular
power would be a material resource because it's used up by the activity.
But in the scenario you're describing those computers are WORK resources,
not materials, as is the case with most tools, etc. Their availability
drives the schedule just like a computer operator's availability does.
Enter them into the resource list as "Computers", type - work,
availability - 2000% to indicate 20 computers in the group. If you need 5
computers for a task, assign "Computers" to it at 500% and that will leave
15 available for other things. The name will turn red indicating
overallocation if at any time you have more than 20 computers assigned to
use.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Steve,

You're more than probably right.
I thought he was installing the 10 computer through the task, such that they
were material resources.
Greetings,

--
Jan De Messemaeker, Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/
For FAQs: http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm

Yes, you can assign material resources but the scenario you posed in your
question is NOT one of assigning of material resources. A material resource
is an item that is either a: incorporated into the final deliverable; or b:
is consumed by the activity of creating that deliverable. Your computers
doesn't fit into either caregory. If your project was to install POS
terminals in a chain of retail stores and the 10 computers were the actual
terminals that you're installing for delivery to the customer, then they'd
be material resources. Fuel to operate a generator needed to power those 10
computers while people worked with them in a remote location without regular
power would be a material resource because it's used up by the activity.
But in the scenario you're describing those computers are WORK resources,
not materials, as is the case with most tools, etc. Their availability
drives the schedule just like a computer operator's availability does.
Enter them into the resource list as "Computers", type - work,
availability - 2000% to indicate 20 computers in the group. If you need 5
computers for a task, assign "Computers" to it at 500% and that will leave
15 available for other things. The name will turn red indicating
overallocation if at any time you have more than 20 computers assigned to
use.

--
Steve House [Project MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

We can assign human resources to a project.
Is it possible to have an accout of the material resources available and
allocate them to projects?
(eg)I have 20 computers available.
I need 10 computers for 1 task.
Is it possible to assign materia; resources as we do for human resources?

Meena.

 

[NewsGroup]

Thanks a lot for that Reply, Steve.
It was really helpful.

Meena

Yes, you can assign material resources but the scenario you posed in your
question is NOT one of assigning of material resources. A material
resource is an item that is either a: incorporated into the final
deliverable; or b: is consumed by the activity of creating that
deliverable. Your computers doesn't fit into either caregory. If your
project was to install POS terminals in a chain of retail stores and the
10 computers were the actual terminals that you're installing for delivery
to the customer, then they'd be material resources. Fuel to operate a
generator needed to power those 10 computers while people worked with them
in a remote location without regular power would be a material resource
because it's used up by the activity. But in the scenario you're
describing those computers are WORK resources, not materials, as is the
case with most tools, etc. Their availability drives the schedule just
like a computer operator's availability does. Enter them into the resource
list as "Computers", type - work, availability - 2000% to indicate 20
computers in the group. If you need 5 computers for a task, assign
"Computers" to it at 500% and that will leave 15 available for other
things. The name will turn red indicating overallocation if at any time
you have more than 20 computers assigned to use.

--
Steve House [Project MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

We can assign human resources to a project.
Is it possible to have an accout of the material resources available and
allocate them to projects?
(eg)I have 20 computers available.
I need 10 computers for 1 task.
Is it possible to assign materia; resources as we do for human resources?

Meena.