Jamie,
Sorry if this is a double post. My ISP is acting up.
A common resource pool would work great for you. Create a separate file
with no tasks, only resources. Save it but leave it open. It will be the
common resource pool. Then in each separate project, go to
Tools/Resources/Share Resources. In the Share Resources window, check
the box for "Use Resources". In the "From" selection box, select the
common resource pool file and hit "ok". Do this for each sharer file.
Then save all the files (i.e. common pool file and each sharer file).
This approach will not prevent resources from being assigned to more
than one project but you can see who is overallocated (i.e. assigned
more than full time) by looking at the common resource file.
Overallocated resources will show in red. There are several method for
dealing with overallocation. One method is to use leveling
(Tools/Resoruce Leveling) and you can read more about that in the help
file. But remember, leveling or any other automated means for
controlling resources can only go so far, you will still need to apply
good management to achieve the most optimum results for your particular
situation.
Hope this helps.
John
