How are assignment units calculated?

[Seann]

I apologize for asking a similar question to one I've already asked, but I
did not get the answer I'm looking for. Simply put, I want to know the exact
calculatin for assignment units, specifically afer a resource has entered
time in their time sheets (we are using project server). In our project file
we are seeing assignment units change drastically (both up and down) after
resources enter actual work. The calculation behind the assignment unit
change is unclear and I want to understand it.

Thanks.

 

[Jim Aksel]

I am not sure the answer is as simple as you may like.
Work=Units x Duration.

Solve the equation for any variable you'd like. However, Project allows you
to fix any of these values and then make them either Effort Driven or
non-Effort Driven.

Probably the fastest way to learn this is to create a simple project file
and make the adjustments yourself and see what happens. There are a total of
5 different types of task combinations possible so create a Project1.mpp file
with five tasks. The answer will also depend on how remaining work is handled
by the program (if it is automatically respread). When you experiment, make
sure you have a task that takes several days and set the status date to
somewhere during the task duration. Using the Task Usage or Resource Usage
views will let you inspect what is going on, especiall after the status date.

Generally, the default is fixed units - effort driven. If you are seeing
units% vary after work is entered, you will have one of the other task types.
If you have fixed duration, the units % will be calcualted by taking the
*remaining work* and spreading it from the *status date* to the task finish
date. The Units% will change.

Keep in mind that work entered by the user is going to transfer to *actual
work* which will automatically decrement from *work* and remaining work will
be recalculated.
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Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

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

 

[JulieS]

Hi Seann,

Adding to Jim's comments. When you see a resource's assignment units change
when actual work is being entered, the task does not have to be a task type
other than fixed units. When working with actual work, if a resource records
more or less hours per day (or per week) then Project will modify the
assignment units to reflect the actual hours logged in the time period.

For example: Assuming a standard calendar definition of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
with a 3 day duration task, one resource assigned at 100% assignment units,
Project calculates 8 hours of work per day spread evenly across the 3 days
duration. The 8 hours of work per day is scheduled betwee the 8:00 am and
5:00 pm.

When logging actual hours, the resource logs 9 hours in the first day. In
order for the 9 hours of work to be done in the span of time from 8:00 to
5:00 pm project, the assignment units for the first day increases to 113%.
The calculation is 9 hours work/8 hours duration.

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

Julie