Entering time against Non-project related tasks

[Darlene]

We want to use Project 2002 timesheets to capture all of a
resource's time. I.e., Project related tasks, nonworking
time, and non-project (work) related tasks. It's obvious
how to record time for projects and nonworking time, but
we need some suggestions on how to best record time
against non-project related tasks (overhead).

A number of our resources work on a combination of project
and non-project related tasks. It's important to track
ALL time so project managers have a true picture of a
resource's availability. For example, a resource is
working 50% on a non-project related task, therefore
he/she is only available 50% of the time to work on a
project. (Note: it's not a simple as adjusting the
resources availability in global settings because the
percent varies.)

To capture this non-project time we've considered:
1. Using Outlook's nonworking time.

2. As non-project tasks come up have resources create a To
do lists and then promote the list to a project plan when
required.

3. Create an "Overhead Tasks" project plan that all
resources are assigned to. Time would be recorded against
the various tasks as required.

Any comments and/or suggestions?

Darlene

 

[Mike]

I always liked option #3 the best.
This way everyting ties when doing timesheets, and you
can always leave off the zzzzoverhead project in reports.

You can also track miniprojects using option 3.

Mike

 

[Darlene]

Thank you Dale. Our workteam always appreciates the
feedback you give to this newsgroup--it's always very
thorough and conceptual.

Darlene.

-----Original Message-----
Darlene --

I also like option #3 on your list, and this is actually the methodology I
recommend to my clients for tracking non-project work. Most people call a
project like this an "Administrative Project". I have a client who used an
Administrative Project to determine the actual amount of time that his DBA
team was spending on non-project work. He wanted to track the things they
had to do each day as a part of their job that were not specificially
related to projects. Before publishing this proejct, he estimated that his
team members would spend an average of 35% of each day performing
non-project related work. He published his

Administrative Project the first

 

[Darlene]

Thank you for your feedback!
Darlene

-----Original Message-----
I always liked option #3 the best.
This way everyting ties when doing timesheets, and you
can always leave off the zzzzoverhead project in reports.

You can also track miniprojects using option 3.

Mike
.