Optimize resource utilization through levelling

[Thomas V]

Hi,

I've come across a situation where automated resource leveling is
causing under allocations and unnecessary long schedules.

Here's an example:
Project setup: work day=8h; 2 resources 100% available; 1 resource
(Clarice) 50% available
Create 3 tasks and one milestone
- milestone1: project start
- task1: work=40hrs, duration=5d, predecessor=milestone1; resource=Tim
- task2: work=40hrs, duration=5d, predecessor task1;
resource=John[50%], Clarice[50%]
- task3: work=160hrs, no duration set, predecessor milestone 1;
resource=John

If you run automatic leveling on the above task3 will be split so that
john and Clarice can work on taks2 when Tim is done with Task1. The
leveling will not however ensure that John is working full time and
thus cause the schedule to push out unnecessarily.

Is there any way to solve this, sort of manually changing the work
contour? The reason I prefer not doing this is that any future
automatic leveling will cause issues with the contour.

Thanks.

 

[JulieS]

Hello Thomas,

Resource leveling is not a resource optimization tool. It will *never*
change assignment units -- its sole purpose is to delay tasks until a
resource overallocation (peak units greater than max units) is resolved.
If you want John to work fulltime (100%) on task 2 then assign him at
100% to task 2 and then level.

When I created the scenario you note, it was task 2 (with John and
Clarice) which was split. Clarice was scheduled to work her 20 hours as
originally scheduled. John's 20 hours was delayed until the end of task
3.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Thomas V]

Hi Julie,

Thanks for your input.

I've got a solution which works for me: at completion of Task2 I ask
John to estimate the remaining work on task3. If he's been a smart
puppy, and I would have gently encouraged him to be, he will have
worked on Task3. Upon entering this wonderful information into MSP the
time line will adjust itself and Task3 will now finish earlier
allowing any dependent tasks to start earlier. The trick will of
course to be able to capture the benefits of this positive
windfall.

Now that I understand the limitation of the Resource Leveling, is
there any tool which does allow me to capitalize on such situations? I
can imagine there are quite a few software projects out there which
have you sitting in Work Product Reviews for 4 hours a day for a week
while you're continuing to work other, longer running tasks for the
remaining 4 hours...

Thomas

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

It's work that you call upon yourself.
Schedulke everyboody up to his or her max units on each task and leveling
will give you an "optimal" plan
What's the use of setting John to 50% on a a task if after that you want
Project to change that anyway?
Greetings,

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

 

[Thomas V]

Hi Jan,

I understand the MSP will not ever change the units on a resource.
However I do find it unfortunate that there's no automated way to
ensure every available hour of a day is effectively used.

The example I was trying to illustrate is one where:
- a person is working full time for several weeks developing a piece
of software code
- somewhere along the line this person also has to sit in afternoon
meetings (due to time zone differences) to review new requirements.
When resource leveling this example and provided the two tasks will
overlap in time, the resource will not be assigned to developing code
for those days he's reviewing requirements. And that's a shame.

Kind regards,
Thomas