Resources That Must Work Together

[newbold1]

Is there a way to set it up in MS-Project for two
resources to be assigned to a task where they must work
together during the same hours?

For example, if I set-up an 8 hour task and assign two
resources, the program tries to split up the work. Also,
it allows each resource to work on the task as soon as
he/she is available.

What if I have a task that requires two resources with
different sets of expertise to work on the task together?
Let's say that John and Mary are working on a research
task and they need to work together because they both have
certain knowledge required to complete the task. If I
create the 8 hour task in MS-Project, it attempts to split
the work between them, effectively creating a 4 hour
duration. If John is busy with other tasks and Mary
isn't, MS-Project tries to get Mary started on the task
and adds John to it later. I found that I could set the
resources to 50% which causes the 8 hours of work to be
performed in an 8 hour duration. That's only part of the
fix. I still need to somehow cause their work scheduling
to be concurrent with each other for the full 8 hours of
work to be performed.

Any suggestions? Can it even be done?

Thanks!

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi newbold,

There is only one way to achieve this I'm afraid: the makers of Project
think that when a pilot takes a day off, it still is a good idea to let the
plane do its share of the work on its own...

But let's be smarter.

First (if this shocks you, do not read any further) all resources must have
exactly the same calendar since we know that calendar differences destroy
simultaneity;

So the only way we can inform Project of non-productive activities such as
holidays is by creating tasks representing this time and assign the resoruce
to it. Such task will have a Must Start On constraint (people really do not
like postponing their holidays).

Now you notice that holidays only create overallocations and do not impact
the other tasks... until we apply resource leveling. And the makers of
resource leveling were of a different tribe, they had heard about working
together, since Resource Leveling has the option...

"Leveling can adjust multiple asignments on a task"

So if you put that one off, leveling will keep your assignments on one task
together...and level the productibe tasks around the "fixed" holiday tasks.

There you are!

HTH


--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
Project Management Consultancy
Prom+ade BVBA
32-495-300 620