One project multiple units different start dates same resources

[chet]

Should these units be separate schedules or should it be one schedule that
units are added to as they are approved. I have been doing separtate
schedules and don't think the resources are being compared properly. Only
one week on this job and have previously used another program managment
system that managed the resources easily. I'm just starting to learn this
system. Unfortunately the project was started before I arrived and already
being done this way. Not too far along to change it but need guidence to
proceed. I believe I need to set up one project and continuely add the new
units as they are approved so that the resources will be managed properly

 

[Andrew Lavinsky]

Not sure I follow....so you have one or more resources. Each resource must
be assigned to multiple tasks at different units with different start dates?

That's exactly what Project is designed for, so it should be doable.

1) Set up your tasks, assign dependencies. That's what will give you first
cut of estimated start dates for each task.
2) Determine your duration estimating methodology. You need to know two
of the following three variables: Duration, Units, Work. Project will calculate
the third for you.

So my question to you is which of those variables do you know? If we assume
it's an IT shop (which is just a guess), then typically you know Work and
Units, but let Project calculate Duration. I would set the task type to
either Fixed Work or Fixed Units, then split the view (Window > Split) and
manually plug in the appropriate variables. Then Project will calculate
the Duration.

3) Assess potential overallocations in the Resource Sheet or Resource Graph.
Apply leveling as required. This gives you the second cut of estimated
start dates for each task.

Is that what you're looking for?

- Andrew Lavinsky
Blog: http://blogs.catapultsystems.com/epm

 

[chet]

Thank you for answering. What I am trying to determine is if they have been
using project correctly to track resources. They have been writing separate
schedules for each unit but using the same resources for each unit. When I
went to track the resources I would only show me the hours that resources is
working on the unit schedule I opened. I cannot compare multiple schedules
together and track the resources. What I'm wondering is if they should have
started a single project and then added each unit as it became available,
then when scheduling the resources for that unit it would compare to units
already in progress. I'm managing a construction project and this is the
system already in use. I need to determine if I need to start over which is
still doable or can see the information I need the way they have been doing
these shedules.

 

[Andrew Lavinsky]

You mean use a Shared Resource Pool across many projects? That will put one
resource in multiple projects and allow you to have an overview of all their
tasks. Just look in the Help screen for more information on how to do that.
You can do that on your existing projects and just replace the current resources
with the new shared ones.

If you're more ambitious, go for the Project Server tool - which is designed
to allow shared resources across an enterprise.


- Andrew Lavinsky
Blog: http://blogs.catapultsystems.com/epm