Need Advice on Sharing Resources

[Kevin]

I'm just looking for some advice on setting up shared
resources in Project 2000. We have several small projects
that a group of 4 of us work on. We'd like to be able to
do resource leveling across all of the projects, and have
start date milestones of one project be dependent upon the
end date of another project.

I have two ideas: we could keep all our projects as top
level items in a single project file, or we could try some
sort of share resources feature in Project 2000. Perhaps
we could also invest in Project 2000 Server- if that would
help significantly with this task.

Anyway, just looking for advice from those who have been
there, done that Thanks!

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Kevin,

For what it is worth: my advice on the matter.

First, there is no Project 2000 Server, Server started with Project 2002,
but anyway, for your problem I do not think that is necessary.

Whether you put all 4 projects in a single file or in 4 different files
depends on how you guys collaborate.

The avantages of a single file are simplicity, simplicity, and simplicty.
The problems related to it are that only one person can open the file
read/write at the time.

If you do not update it frequently, and you can agree on whose turn it is to
update, then for your problem the single file is probably preferrable.

If you go for 4 files, link them to a resource pool, save the lot
Open the pool with the third option to crate a master file
Introduce the links between the tasks in the projects

Sit together and solemnly swear not to move the files, especially not to do
Save As with the pool open... Corrupted Pools are very easy to make.

HTH
--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
Project Management Consultancy
Prom+ade BVBA
32-495-300 620