Estimating completion date

[Broodmdh]

I have a project with many unrelated tasks. I know how many resources I
will have, and how long each task should take. I'm not sure how to get
Project to forecast the completion date, however. The only constraint
is that each resource can only work on one task at a time. Can project
do that kind of forecasting?

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Broodmdh,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

Most certainly. Enter the Tasks and their Durations and Project will enter
Start Dates based on the Project Start Date or Today's Date. Enter any
dependencies and Project will change the Start Date to equal the Finish Date
of its predecessor. Now assign your resources. Then Tools/Level
Resources... and Level Now. That should do it.

You might like to have a look at my series on Microsoft Project in the
TechTrax ezine, particularly #5 on resource assigning, at this site:
http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc or this:
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMFrame.asp?CMD=ArticleSearch&AUTH=23
(Perhaps you'd care to rate the article before leaving the site,
Thanks.)

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

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

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

 

[John]

I have a project with many unrelated tasks. I know how many resources I
will have, and how long each task should take. I'm not sure how to get
Project to forecast the completion date, however. The only constraint
is that each resource can only work on one task at a time. Can project
do that kind of forecasting?

Broodmdh,
It's a little unusual to have a "project" with unrelated tasks. What
determines the start date for these tasks? Even if start dates are
independent, if the tasks are part of a project, then they must all be
relevant to some end goal. Hence all tasks have a successor.

As for implementation, If tasks are truly independent, then lay them
into the schedule and assign each resource at what ever percentage is
appropriate (only working one task as a time doesn't necessarily equate
to 100% resource loading). You can use Project's leveling function if
desired to insure resources aren't being overallocated (i.e. being asked
to work more than a normal 8 hour day). Project will then schedule your
project and show you the schedule completion date.

Hope this helps.

John
Project MVP