Want to add mtl resource to task and not increase “Work†...

[MSP Angel]

I have a resource loaded schedule. Tasks are fixed duration. I have
captured the labor hour estimates in the “work†field. With fixed duration
tasks, changes in the labor estimates or duration, dynamically changes the %
allocated of the resources assigned.

I have a (non human) resource associated with some tasks. This resource is
a “Lab†needed for the execution of specific tasks. This resource, like all
assigned resources, has a limited capacity. Adding this resource to a task
increases the “Work†associated a fixed duration task. Because the resource
is not a human resource, I do not want “Lab†to increase the “Work†when
added to a task.

Adding “Lab†to appropriate tasks, with an availability of 100% (8 hr./day,
Mon – Fri), I can see, like other resources, when the resource is over
allocated. I know then that I have to consider working more than one shift
to maintain overall schedule. In actuality, using the Lab does not increase
the labor estimate for a task… but MSP does increase the “Work†when any
additional resources are added to a fixed duration task.

I can’t seem to get MSP to allow me to add a resource (with an availability
of 100% (8 hr./day, Mon – Fri)), without increasing the “Work†for that task.
I’m essentially trying to do capacity planning for the lab.

Bottom line – I want to add a resource to a task, with an availability of
100% (8 hr./day, Mon – Fri), and have that particular not affect (increase)
the “Work†for that fixed duration task.

I hope this clarifies the issue. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[John]

I have a resource loaded schedule. Tasks are fixed duration. I have
captured the labor hour estimates in the “work†field. With fixed duration
tasks, changes in the labor estimates or duration, dynamically changes the %
allocated of the resources assigned.

I have a (non human) resource associated with some tasks. This resource is
a “Lab†needed for the execution of specific tasks. This resource, like all
assigned resources, has a limited capacity. Adding this resource to a task
increases the “Work†associated a fixed duration task. Because the resource
is not a human resource, I do not want “Lab†to increase the “Work†when
added to a task.

Adding “Lab†to appropriate tasks, with an availability of 100% (8 hr./day,
Mon – Fri), I can see, like other resources, when the resource is over
allocated. I know then that I have to consider working more than one shift
to maintain overall schedule. In actuality, using the Lab does not increase
the labor estimate for a task… but MSP does increase the “Work†when any
additional resources are added to a fixed duration task.

I can’t seem to get MSP to allow me to add a resource (with an availability
of 100% (8 hr./day, Mon – Fri)), without increasing the “Work†for that task.
I’m essentially trying to do capacity planning for the lab.

Bottom line – I want to add a resource to a task, with an availability of
100% (8 hr./day, Mon – Fri), and have that particular not affect (increase)
the “Work†for that fixed duration task.

I hope this clarifies the issue. Any thoughts are appreciated.

MSP Angel,
Unfortunately you can't get there from here using standard Project
scheduling. If the lab is treated as a work type resource, it will
impact the Work or Duration field depending on the task type. If the lab
is treated as a material resource (which is what it really is), it will
not impact the Work field but it will also not show up as being
overallocated (Project has no maximum allowable unit value for material
type resources).

Since you need to see the time related usage of the lab resource, you
need to examine the timescale data for each assignment of the lab to a
task. The only way (that I know) to develop an overallocation for the
lab resource is through VBA. An algorithm in a VBA macro could examine
each time based usage of the lab and create an overallocation value or
flag. For example, when run, the macro could pop up a user message
saying that the lab was overallocated at such and such date and time on
such and such tasks. Appropriate re-scheduling could then be performed
to alleviate the overallocation.

John
Project MVP

 

[MSP Angel]

Thank you John! That was helpful.

MSP Angel,
Unfortunately you can't get there from here using standard Project
scheduling. If the lab is treated as a work type resource, it will
impact the Work or Duration field depending on the task type. If the lab
is treated as a material resource (which is what it really is), it will
not impact the Work field but it will also not show up as being
overallocated (Project has no maximum allowable unit value for material
type resources).

Since you need to see the time related usage of the lab resource, you
need to examine the timescale data for each assignment of the lab to a
task. The only way (that I know) to develop an overallocation for the
lab resource is through VBA. An algorithm in a VBA macro could examine
each time based usage of the lab and create an overallocation value or
flag. For example, when run, the macro could pop up a user message
saying that the lab was overallocated at such and such date and time on
such and such tasks. Appropriate re-scheduling could then be performed
to alleviate the overallocation.

John
Project MVP

 

[John]

Thank you John! That was helpful.

MSP Angel,
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.
John