Work scedule for individual workers? MS Project 2007

[Yawningdog]

Hi there.

I have a construction project and I would like to allocate different
tasks to named workers as and when they have finished their previous
tasks.

Here is an example. I have 3 x labourers, Bill, Ed, and Will. They all
have the same skill sets and are paid the same amount per day. I have
entered them into my resource pool as a single resouce, "Labourers",
units 300%.

However, I have many different tasks that are taking place at the same
time over several days. Some of these tasks require only one labourer,
whilst others may require 2 or 3 labourers. When I allocate the
labourers to each task in MS Project it gives me a percentage beside the
labourers which doesn't help me to schedule or communicate with my
workers what each person should be doing now or next.

Alternatively, I have tried to create 3 x separate workers in the
resource pool, Bill, Ed, and Will, and allocate units of 100% each. I
don't care who does what piece of work as the skill requirements are the
same, so I allocate all three to each task. But then MS Project will
surely assume that I want all three of them to work on the tasks even if
the tasks may only need one person.

My final option is to allocate each worker (by name) to each task
separately, but then that is time consuming and I am unable to calculate
the most efficient distribution of their time.

Surely I must be missing something. Is it possible to group a series of
named workers under a skillset and ask MS Project to allocate them to
the tasks that meet that skillset?

Thanks, and sorry for the length of this message.

 

[JulieS]

Hello Yawningdog,

My comments are inline.

Hi there.

I have a construction project and I would like to allocate
different
tasks to named workers as and when they have finished their
previous
tasks.

Here is an example. I have 3 x labourers, Bill, Ed, and Will. They
all
have the same skill sets and are paid the same amount per day. I
have
entered them into my resource pool as a single resouce,
"Labourers",
units 300%.

However, I have many different tasks that are taking place at the
same
time over several days. Some of these tasks require only one
labourer,
whilst others may require 2 or 3 labourers. When I allocate the
labourers to each task in MS Project it gives me a percentage
beside the
labourers which doesn't help me to schedule or communicate with my
workers what each person should be doing now or next.

It is for that reason that I personally rarely use max. units above
100% to indicate multiple of a skill set or resource. If Bill, Ed,
and Will can work together to coordinate who is doing which task and
when -- fine but otherwise you lose the detailed information and the
detailed responsibilities. If you wish to control who does what --
you'll need to assign the resources to reflect that.

Alternatively, I have tried to create 3 x separate workers in the
resource pool, Bill, Ed, and Will, and allocate units of 100%
each. I
don't care who does what piece of work as the skill requirements
are the
same, so I allocate all three to each task. But then MS Project
will
surely assume that I want all three of them to work on the tasks
even if
the tasks may only need one person.

If you assign all three to one task -- it isn't truly an issue of
Project "assuming" anything. You've specifically told project that
you wish all three resource to work on the task by assigning them.
Project cannot possibly know you only needed one of the three to
perform the task. I'm not sure how any piece of software would
know.

My final option is to allocate each worker (by name) to each task
separately, but then that is time consuming and I am unable to
calculate
the most efficient distribution of their time.

If you want detailed responsibility for each resource, you need to
specifically assign the resources by name. I don't really see any
other option. Perhaps looking at the resource usage view will help
you to determine what resource is available more efficiently.

Surely I must be missing something. Is it possible to group a
series of
named workers under a skillset and ask MS Project to allocate them
to
the tasks that meet that skillset?

No sorry -- you're not missing anything.

Thanks, and sorry for the length of this message.

No trouble about the length. Sorry I don't have any better answers
for you.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

 

[Yawningdog]

Hi Julie

Thank you very much for a really clear and succinct reply. I suppose
I'll have to make do with what MS Project can do rather than what I
dream it could do.

Bye

 

[JulieS]

You're welcome. At least you can still dream before you have to
turn to the reality
Julie