Fixed duration vs Fixed Units

[John]

I am attempting to setup a training schedule and assign instructional
resources into Project. The training schedule is based on an 8 hour day and
I have a pool of instructors I'm using to teach. When I add resources,
Project adjusts some of my teaching times for future dates and eventually
throws off the set teaching schedule. I've attempted to Fix duration and turn
off effort driven but that doesn't seem to work. Any ideas on whether its a
calendar issue between my resources and project schedule or do I have the
wrong fixed type.
Thanks

 

[salgud]

I am attempting to setup a training schedule and assign instructional
resources into Project. The training schedule is based on an 8 hour day and
I have a pool of instructors I'm using to teach. When I add resources,
Project adjusts some of my teaching times for future dates and eventually
throws off the set teaching schedule. I've attempted to Fix duration and turn
off effort driven but that doesn't seem to work. Any ideas on whether its a
calendar issue between my resources and project schedule or do I have the
wrong fixed type.
Thanks

My guess is, if you spend some time learning how each of the different
types of tasks work, and some more fiddling with your schedule, you'll
eventually come up with some kind of workaround. Probably high maintenance.

That being said, what you are scheduling is NOT a PROJECT. M$ Project is
designed to schedule projects, which, by definition, have finite start and
finish dates. Your effort does not. I'd suggest you find software that is
not CPM based, and just schedules resources against a timeline. IMNSHO,
you're using a sledgehammer where a tack hammer will do.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

....or you're using a small hammer where you need a sledge hammer?
Resource scheduling is not that easy.
This being said, "use an appropriate software" is easier said than done..
there aren't too many types around. Very often Project is the best bet (CPM
is only one aspect of it)

HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[JulieS]

Hello John,

In addition to Mike and Salgud's advice, you may be seeing a feature in
Project called Automatic leveling. You note you are seeing the
adjustment when you assign resources, and that is usually from Automatic
Leveling. Go to Tools > Resource Leveling, and set your Leveling
calculation to manual. That should solve the automatic adjustment of
the schedule.

That being said, I have to agree (mostly) with Salgud. Project is not
really design to do what you wish -- help schedule classes and
instructors -- it is designed to help schedule projects with
interrelated tasks. I'm concerned you'll spend too much time trying to
make Project fit your needs.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

 

[John]

Thanks for the input and i agree that Project is not the best tool for this
type of scheduling but I have other projects for material development with
finite start and finish dates and they require the same instructional
resources. I thought by adding the training schedule into a master project
with the development projects, i could ensure i'm not overallocating my
resources and better control the overall goals of the project and better
manage the resources.

Thanks to all who responded!

 

[Sai]

Thanks for the input and i agree that Project is not the best tool for this
type of scheduling but I  have other projects for material development with
finite start and finish dates and they require the same instructional
resources.  I thought by adding the training schedule into a master project
with the development projects, i could ensure i'm not overallocating my
resources and better control the overall goals of the project and better
manage the resources.

Thanks to all who responded!












- Show quoted text -

John - Though late, in my reply. I have some agreements and dis-
agreements too. Though, MS Project is a scheduling tool used for
*projects*, in our company the training department uses MS Project to
schedule the trainings with classrooms, trainers as resources. Some
trainings are happening full day, others during the forenoon or
afternoon. We create respective calendars, and use the task type and
effort driven and it works out very well.

Sai, PMP, PMI-SP, MCT, MCTS
http://saipower.wordpress.com