Duration of fixed-duration task changes

[Ms MIS]

When a resource has been assigned to a task and they are then made
unavailable (non-working days) due to annual leave I am presented with the
following dialogue due to the conflict;

The resource is assigned outside the original dates for task "TASK NAME" in
project "PROJECT NAME".
The duration of this fixed-duration task will change to accommodate the
resource assignment.

I understand this is logically correct however it extends the task in
question and hence lengthens the entire project, rather than enabling a
manual resource replacement and maintaining the fixed-duration. Is there a
way to present this dialogue but not allow MSP to automatically change the
task to accommodate the resource assignment?

 

[Jarrod Hollingworth]

Hi Ms MIS,

I understand this is logically correct however it extends the task in
question and hence lengthens the entire project, rather than enabling a
manual resource replacement and maintaining the fixed-duration.

It should only extend the entire project if the task is on the critical
path, otherwise some slack time could be taken up to accommodate.

Is there a way to present this dialogue but not allow MSP to automatically
change
the task to accommodate the resource assignment?

Are you able to cancel the task duration change dialog (and cancel your
resource changes)?
What happens if you change the resource assignment after you OK the dialog?
--
Regards,

Jarrod Hollingworth

++ Q1: Are your projects profitable?
++ Q2: How do you track resource time?
++ A : Complete Time Tracking
++ Track time EASILY and ACCURATELY
++ http://www.complete-time-tracking.com

 

[Ms MIS]

Hi Jarrod,

There is no cancel option on the task duration change dialog so we cannot
cancel the resource changes. The only option is to select OK, MSP then
extends the task to cater for the individuals absence. Those planning then
get frustrated as they have to remember what the original date specifications
were and find it time-consuming to have to go back and amend these activities
in question. Is there any other way we can overcome this issue?

 

[JulieS]

Hi Ms MIS,

There may be a couple of options depending upon circumstances.

If there is more than one resource assigned to the task, you can remove the
resource with the different working calendar. Then set the task type back to
Fixed Units and the duration will re-adjust driven by the work of the
remaining resource(s). You can then set the task type back to fixed duration
and try again with another resource.

I also use a spare Duration field (Duration10 for example) to store my
original duration estimates. Before I start assigning resources, I copy the
values from the [Duration] field and paste into the spare field. That way I
don't have to remember original values. If need be I can then just copy and
paste from the spare field back into the Duration field.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

 

[Ms MIS]

Thank you, I suggested a similar solution using baselines to store the
original values which users appear content with.

Hi Ms MIS,

There may be a couple of options depending upon circumstances.

If there is more than one resource assigned to the task, you can remove the
resource with the different working calendar. Then set the task type back to
Fixed Units and the duration will re-adjust driven by the work of the
remaining resource(s). You can then set the task type back to fixed duration
and try again with another resource.

I also use a spare Duration field (Duration10 for example) to store my
original duration estimates. Before I start assigning resources, I copy the
values from the [Duration] field and paste into the spare field. That way I
don't have to remember original values. If need be I can then just copy and
paste from the spare field back into the Duration field.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

Hi Jarrod,

There is no cancel option on the task duration change dialog so we cannot
cancel the resource changes. The only option is to select OK, MSP then
extends the task to cater for the individuals absence. Those planning then
get frustrated as they have to remember what the original date specifications
were and find it time-consuming to have to go back and amend these activities
in question. Is there any other way we can overcome this issue?