How do I assign resources to a task who start at different times?

[Les Mathisen]

I am new to Project and am trying to assign three resources to the same task
and have Project calculate the shortest possible finish date. The problem is
each resource is joining the task at different times. Resource #1 starts
today, resource #2 in two weeks and resource #3 in three weeks and each have
different calendars (different vacation days). Project is deviding the work
evenly between the three resources and freeing each resource as their hours
are completed. This means the task isn't completed until the last resource
has finished their work (which is three weeks after the first person), even
though the other two resources are available to help.

Is there some way, other than manually adjusting the hours assigned to each
resource, to have Project use all three resources on the task and complete it
ASAP?

 

[Jim Aksel]

View/Task Usage View
Set the desired time scale on the right pane.
You can adjust the hours are necessary.

MS Project has no way to know you want Resource2 to start the task on Week3,
etc (unless there is a properly configured resource calendar for vacation
etc.).

Resource calendars can be individually adjusted from View/Resource Sheet...
Double click a resource.

In P2003, You can adjust work hours, etc. from the Working Time tab, or
perhaps the General Tab.

In P2007, the process is similar, but you click on "Working Time" from the
General Tab. You then need to enter "Exceptions" in the bottom of that
window. Details of partial work days (or other working time) are visible by
clicking Details.. adjacent to the exceptions list.

--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Les Mathisen]

Thanks Jim, but I already have resource calendars setup for the three people
working on the task, including vacation. For resource #2, I have the first
week set to full "Exception Days" so Project knows they're not available.
Likewise, resource #3 has been set to unavailable for the first two weeks.
What can I do to have Project 2007 adjust the hours for each resource to
other than 1/3 of the total hours for the task?