MS Project - cannot update the resource pool

[Mark]

Hi

We are running MS Windows 2000, MS Project 2003.
I have created a resource pool which all the IT staff in our area will be
attaching their project files to. This file sits on a network server and
rights are as follows: resource pool read-only to everyone but myself and my
manager who have modify rights. When I link a project to the resource pool
all works fine and the resource pool is updated and the project links ok.
When another user (who only has read-only access) tries to link, it lets him
do it but when he tries to save the project he gets an error message saying
"The resource pool cannot be updated now. Project cannot update the resource
pool because someone else is using it. Try again later."
We checked on the server where it is sitting and he was the only person who
had the resource pool open! I am not sure if this is a rights issue - it
looks like it but we don't really want to open up the resource pool to
everyone at the moment as this is a new process and we don't want them to
mess it up. So any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Mark,
Yes, it appears as though it is a rights issue. I just tested your scenario
with a resource pool file with read-only attributes. I got the same message
as you note.

When working with the pool file and sharer files, the PMs need to be able to
have write access to the file to both link the sharer file(s) and update the
pool file with assignments. That being said, if your PM tries to open the
pool file (after you have already made the connection to one sharer file) he
will get a message telling him that the pool file is a resource pool file and
giving him three choices:
1) Open the pool file read-only....
2) Open the pool file with read-write (which will block others from updating
the pool)...
3) Open the pool read-write and all other sharer files....

If the PM opens the pool with option one (default) he will have read-only
access until he updates the pool. He will then have the pool file with write
access momentarily to write his assignments from his sharer file.

I understand completely your concerns about "opening" the pool file to
everyone, but without the ability to save assignment changes to the pool, you
are defeating the purpose of the pool file in the first place. I would
absolutely make sure that all users who will interact with the pool get a
good two-day hands on class in MS Project.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.
Julie

 

[Mark]

Hi Julie

Thanks for this. I read somewhere else in this Newsgroup that it is probably
best for the resource pool to be read-only as users WILL stuff it up!!
Perhaps a different situation though - we have approx 10 staff who use
Project to manage their own projects/time not just one person doling out the
work. Looks as if we are going to have to take the risk though - staff have
been using Project for a while and I can't see mgmt spending money on more
training.

Thanks again

 

[JulieS]

Hi Mark,
You are welcome. Thanks for the feedback and good luck!
Julie