Resource Groups

[David M C]

Wouldn't it be good to be able to group resources into teams in the same way
tasks a grouped by Summary/Subtask. That way, you could assign a group such
as Electricians to a task, and Project could assign the appropriate resource
(perhaps using a similar concept to task priority).

This way, rather than realising a single resource is overallocated, you
could see the need for more of a particular type of work resource. It would
also allow you to see the total cost of a type of resource etc. Even if
Project couldn't level the resources based on its group, the extra summary
information would be useful.

It would also be useful to show summary task information in resource filters
and views, since you may have the same task name under many different summary
tasks. For example, PlaneA may have an Airframe task, but PlaneB may also
have an Airframe task. In the resource usage view, you can't see which
Airframe task applies to which Plane summary task.

Dave

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[davegb]

Wouldn't it be good to be able to group resources into teams in the same way
tasks a grouped by Summary/Subtask. That way, you could assign a group such
as Electricians to a task, and Project could assign the appropriate resource
(perhaps using a similar concept to task priority).

Project does have a resource "Groups" to which you can assign
resources. It doesnt' do everything you suggested, but it does most of
it.

This way, rather than realising a single resource is overallocated, you
could see the need for more of a particular type of work resource. It would
also allow you to see the total cost of a type of resource etc. Even if
Project couldn't level the resources based on its group, the extra summary
information would be useful.

The solution to most of these problems is to track your resources by
groups of resources (not meaning the Groups feature I mentioned above),
not individuals. When you create your resource list, create a resource
called "Electricians", another called "Carpenders", etc. And assign the
appropriate Max units to each. At the project level you track them by
the type of work they do. The head electrician or carpender worries
about which individual is assigned to a particular task. S/he probably
knows better than you which one is better suited to a given task
anyway. And microplanning is a major pitfall in using scheduling
software anyway; this helps you avoid it.

It would also be useful to show summary task information in resource filters
and views, since you may have the same task name under many different summary
tasks. For example, PlaneA may have an Airframe task, but PlaneB may also
have an Airframe task. In the resource usage view, you can't see which
Airframe task applies to which Plane summary task.

I avoid this problem by never having 2 tasks with the same name. If I
have a series of purchasing cycles, each with a "Write Spec's" task, a
"Gather Data" task, etc., from the beginning I name them "Ball Mills -
Write Spec's", "Primary Crusher - Write Spec's", etc. You can also use
some kind of code, if you know it well enough, to accomplish the same
thing.
I wouldn't want to have summary tasks in resource filters and views, I
think it would only create confusion.
Hope this helps in your world.

 

[Figen]

davegb,

This is what my boss haas requested me to work out how to do, and I do nto
have a clue where to start. He would like to see overallocation of the group
of resources rather then the resource, e.g. architects, developers, testers,
etc.

I know you are not recommending this, could you please let me know why and
also if he persits, how can I do this if it is at all doable.

Thanks

Figen

 

[davegb]

davegb,

This is what my boss haas requested me to work out how to do, and I do nto
have a clue where to start. He would like to see overallocation of the group
of resources rather then the resource, e.g. architects, developers, testers,
etc.

I know you are not recommending this, could you please let me know why and
also if he persits, how can I do this if it is at all doable.

Thanks

Figen

Maybe you misinterpreted me, I didn't mean to sound like I didn't
reccommend doing resources as groups. There are advantages and
disadvantages, like everything else.
To do resources by type instead of individuals, just enter the type in
the resource name field. Where you used to put Sally Swan, put
Carpenters. In the Max Units field, put how many you have. That's it.
Now you'll see how many carpenters you need each week on your Resource
Usage and Resource Graph views.
Hope this helps in your world.

 

[Figen]

Dave,

Thanks for your reply. I should have known this really, it is so simple,
however (as much as I understood that is) my manager would like to see
something similar to the summary task, where Summary task would be say
Carpenters with the complete usage and then your subtasks would be your
individual resource names like John Smith, Lucy White etc and their
individual units. Is this at all possible?

Sorry if I sound very much not experienced as this is somewhat true.

Thanks

Figen

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

Have you investigated the Resource Group or the resource Textxx user-defined
fields to hold entries like Carpenters, Painters, etc for the resources and
the use the Group By tool in the menu to see the usage views rolled up by
your grouping?

 

[David M C]

Could you tell me how to do this please? I already have all my resources type
entered in the Resource Group field.

Thanks

David Cresswell

 

[Steve House [Project MVP]]

In the Project menu you'll find "group by." Clicking it will give you a
menu of standard groupings and at the bottom of the menu you can define
custom groups as desired.

 

[David M C]

Thanks very much. That is exactly what I wanted.

In the Project menu you'll find "group by." Clicking it will give you a
menu of standard groupings and at the bottom of the menu you can define
custom groups as desired.