Best resource assignment

[James]

This may be simple, but I've been out of it for awhile, so please help:
I have a number of tasks with estabilshed durations for different numbers of
resources. I also have my tasks listed in order of priority. I'd like MSP
to auto assign my resources based on my established priority, durations and
resource requirements, and link the appropriate tasks. Is this possible? I
know some work will be able to be completed concurrently, but this is the
tough part...

Priority #1 Task will take 4 resources 20 days
Priority #2 Task will take 1 resource 3 days
Priority #3 Task will take 2 resources 6 days
Priority #4 Task will take 4 resources 4 days
etc...

I don't care which resources do which tasks. Any ideas how best to set this
up?

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi James,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Project can't read your mind! However, if you highlight all like tasks,
then Project/Task Information/enter the common data ie Duration and Resource
data/OK. But you will have to enter the predecessor information yourself,
unless they are in a chain, whence you can select those in the sequence and
click the chain link button on the Standard toolbar to create the chain.

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: http://www.mvps.org/project/

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

 

[James]

I'm thinking there is a way... For each task; assigning priority to each, the
number of resources I have already determined, then Level the project. Plus
I need to throw the Links in there somewhere.
....I'm working through it

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

If your resources are interchangeable, list them as a single name
("Carpenters" for example) and set the max availability to the number of
resources in the group. If your resource was 5 individuals, the max avail
in the resource sheet would be 500%. Create your tasks and assign their
priorities - remember that number 1 is a lower priority than number 10 as
Project sees it. Assign your resources with the percentage inidicating the
number required on the tasks - 3 out of your 5 guys would be an assignment
of 300%. Then level the project. Don't put in links unless they reflect
real task dependencies. (IE, you have to design before you build so that's
a link. But just wanting task A to happen before task B is not in itself
sufficient reason to use a link.)

HTH

 

[Mike Glen]

Just a reminder to level "Priority,Standard" as otherwise your priorities
might not be taken into account sufficiently.


Mike Glen
Project MVP