resource usage: should resource allocations automatically adjust?

[nathan]

ms project experts:

i am a very new user, any guidance would be greatly appreciated in advance.

much obliged.
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OBJECTIVE
.... track "resource usage" for consultants who have "multiple task
assignments".
.... attempting to forecast "load" for each consultant. e.g. "what-if" they
have 5 concurrent projects, what would "resource usage" and "gantt" chart
look like?

EXAMPLE
.... Project = Nathan
.... Work Type = Fixed Work
.... Resource = 9h (1 unit)
.... Task 1 = ABC Assignment
.... Task 2 = XYZ Assignment
.... Start/Finish Date = The Same
.... Duration = 10 Days

PROBLEM
.... "resource usage" sheet does not "estimate" work units based upon number
of tasks. it actually preserves the full allocated amount (9h or 1 unit).

COMMENTARY
.... my intent is to use MS Project to not only "track" actual time but to
also help "estimate" daily/weekly/monthly capacity figures.
.... Theoretically, if I have two simultaneous tasks with the same
start/finish dates and duration, i would expect the "resource usage" to
allocate 50% to each task over its duration.

QUESTION
.... is this wishful thinking? should MS Project be used to help "estimate"
or "forecast" task and resource allocations.
.... have I selected the wrong work type in order for MS Project to
effectively "re-allocate" time by resource?
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[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Nathan,

MS project indeed does not change assignment units the way you describe.
There is however a function in it called resource leveling, but its logic is
that in case of overload it shifts tasks untill the overallocations are
resolved.
For what it is worth, i like it a lot.
Hope this helps,