Bill of materials

[Guest]

We connect customers as they subscribe to our network. There is a bill of
materials that is standard for each customer connection. The bill of
materials will consist of several material resources and work resources in
whole or in part. I wish to budget some connections. Any ideas on how to
structure this in Project?

Paul

 

[Steve House]

Create a summary task for the connection with its subtasks the work
activities necessary to get it up and running. Assign the work and material
resources to the specific activities that use them. Copy as needed for the
number of connections required.

 

[Guest]

Thanks,
We will have 150 connections. I guess I am not thinking granular enough.

Paul

 

[Steve House]

Sounds like it - lets say each connection has 5 tasks required to get it up
and running. With 150 customers to connect, your project will show at least
150 summary tasks with 750 subtasks in total, plus whatever activities are
required leading up to the start of connecting your customers and whatever
tasks follow on after all the customers are connected. The rule of thumb to
know when you're granular enough is each work package should be something
that can be easily managed and performed by one resource or a resource team
working as a single cohesive unit. Another guideline is the 8/80 rule - if
the task is less than 8 man-hours you may be excessively micro-managing and
you shouldd consider rolling it up into a package with other related tasks
done by the same resource. If it's over 80 hours you're likely not detailed
enough to properly manage it.