one resource many projects

[Renate]

I have 15 designers working on multi projects (architects,engineers) at any
given time as new projects come in daily and vary in length from 3 weeks to 3
years depending on the scope of work. How can I best allocate resources
without a)pushing out the dates expected (no constraints but have predessors
in tasks)for each estimate or design work(and using 5% or something else
extends dates)and....b)I know they can't be 100% for each as in reality its
maybe an hour one day and 3 hours the next. I do not track resource costs
just want to indicate that "Bob" is working on all these projects when I
report to mgmt. What is the best way to do this, or is there some better way
to show resource allocations but not extend the project to the year 2015 when
it has to be done in 2010? Or am I trying to get projects to do what I want
and not what it's suppose to?

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Renate,

Tools, Level Resources, Set to manual: overallocation will no longer push
out tasks.
Hoep this helps,

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[Renate]

Thanks for that, I'll give it a try...question....do I still assign my
resources at 100% even though they are not really doing that? or should I
reduce the % (however if I do it extends the duration)

 

[Rob Schneider]

That really up to you. Define your basis and stick with it. Sometimes
I use 100% and tell the folks to work their own overheads within that.
Or I use a discounted amount to account for "other things". One thing i
tend to do with small teams is consider "vacation" as yet another
project to be scheduled so that if you do that you take that out of the
discounted level.

End of the day, up to you. The trick is to remember the basis and remain
consistent with that.

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[Renate]

thanks to you both...appreciate the quick responses!