Simple Project Duration Question

[TWB]

Hello All,

I am trying to understand the Duration concept, and I thought I had it
down until I created a task that has 2 resources with different
calendars. First my project is using all the standard options 8am-5pm,
8 hr days, no holidays, etc.

When I do the following, everything calculates as expected:
Scenario A:
Task = Paint the walls
Duration = 5d
Assigned = Bob (8 hr day / 5 days per week)
**Work = results at 40hours over the 5 days. All is good.
Start - Finish: Thu 4/15/10 8:00AM - Wed 4/21/10 5:00PM


When I do this example, I cannot wrap my head around why it results in
6 days, as opposed to 5:
Scenario B:
Task = Paint the walls
Duration = 5d
Assigned = Bob (8 hr day / 5 days per week); Jerry (10 hr day / 4 days
per week M-Th calendar)
**Work = results at expected 80 hours, but over 6 days, Why does
duration change to 6 days?????
Start - Finish: Thu 4/15/10 8:00AM - Wed 4/21/10 7:00PM

Obviously it has something to do with the 10 hr per day individual,
but even looking at the task usage sheet, the task is spread out over
5 days not 6. Also, I thought duration was calculated based off 8
hour days (as set up in my options). If that's the case, 80 hours
work / 8 hours per day / 2 people get me to 40 hours, which is 5 days
not 6 ....

Thanks so much for any assistance!

WB in Texas

 

[Rod Gill]

Hi,

I think the simple answer is that Jerry assigned at 100% means 8h per day,
so given a 4 day week, an extra working day is needed for Jerry to
accomplish 40h of work.

Assign Jerry at 125% and the duration returns to 5d and Jerry is doing your
expected 10h per day.

The last resource to finish drives the task's duration.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project - http://www.project-systems.co.nz

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see: http://www.projectvbabook.com

Hello All,

I am trying to understand the Duration concept, and I thought I had it
down until I created a task that has 2 resources with different
calendars. First my project is using all the standard options 8am-5pm,
8 hr days, no holidays, etc.

When I do the following, everything calculates as expected:
Scenario A:
Task = Paint the walls
Duration = 5d
Assigned = Bob (8 hr day / 5 days per week)
**Work = results at 40hours over the 5 days. All is good.
Start - Finish: Thu 4/15/10 8:00AM - Wed 4/21/10 5:00PM


When I do this example, I cannot wrap my head around why it results in
6 days, as opposed to 5:
Scenario B:
Task = Paint the walls
Duration = 5d
Assigned = Bob (8 hr day / 5 days per week); Jerry (10 hr day / 4 days
per week M-Th calendar)
**Work = results at expected 80 hours, but over 6 days, Why does
duration change to 6 days?????
Start - Finish: Thu 4/15/10 8:00AM - Wed 4/21/10 7:00PM

Obviously it has something to do with the 10 hr per day individual,
but even looking at the task usage sheet, the task is spread out over
5 days not 6. Also, I thought duration was calculated based off 8
hour days (as set up in my options). If that's the case, 80 hours
work / 8 hours per day / 2 people get me to 40 hours, which is 5 days
not 6 ....

Thanks so much for any assistance!

WB in Texas





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[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Doing exactly as you describe here, as expected duration remains at 5 days
and the end date of the task does not move.
You must have doen something different from what you describe here.
Do review Jerry's calendar; my suspicion is that his working time is only 8
hours per day.
When you change the end time in the work week window, you have to hit tab or
enter before hiting OK, if not it does not "stick".

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