Any recommendations for a good way to manage according to resources and not tasks? In other words, I'd like to assign projects (tasks) to static resources as opposed to assigning resources to tasks. I bascially need to manage multiple projects per resource. Excel is an option but...thought maybe something more automatic in project.
Thanks!
Ava Saving Changes...
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Vladimir LiberzonR&D Director| Spider Project TeamMoscow, Russian Federation
Hi Ava!
Assigning resources to tasks you can get any information on the portfolio schedule including the resource view on the portfolio where you can see what tasks of which project each resource does at any moment.
In the software we use it is called Resource Gantt Chart. In this view you can see all assignments of each resource shown on the bar chart.
Asigning resources to activities is more convenient because one task may need several resources to be done. It makes assigning tasks to resources rather complicated. Are you sure that you need it this way?
I don't understand how Excel can be used for resource leveling of multiple projects.
Regards,
Vladimir Saving Changes...
Cherlyn WishartSr. Solution Sherpa PPM and PMO Advancement ExpertCincinnati, Oh, United States
the Clarity toolset allows you to assign tasks at a role or resource level. From a project perspective you would still have resources crossing projects but within the resource management records you can edit individual resource assignments or at a more generic level manage the role allocations or assignments across work efforts. But this is a tool specific solution. Without making this investment in a tool excel would be your best option. Saving Changes...
Ted AlexanderPresident| Spherical AngleHickory, Nc, United States
Hello Ava, you might want to look into Theory of Constraints and Critical Chain Project Management Theory and some of the software associated with CCPM. While you are still assigning resources to tasks, the focus becomes managing resources across multiple projects and managing those constraints. From a high level, CCPM techniques provide operational data to make informed decisions about project risk and best use of your resources for the overall health of your project portfolio.
Regards,
Ted
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Jack BlackChief Project Officer| PMConnectionJackson, Oh, United States
Using Microsoft Project, I call this Abstract 1.
- Start with a new MS Project file.
- Use Fixed Duration, Non Effort driven
- In the Resource Sheet, enter all your resources
- In the Gantt Chart View, enter in all your projects. One "task" equals one project.
- Input the Start date for each project
- Input the Duration to achieve desired finish dates
- Using the Assign Resources icon, tie resources to projects inputtin g the percentage of time they will be needed
- Use the Resource Usage View to see who is working on what project. You can pull in the columns Assignment Units, Start, and Finish to give you a nice report. This view will also help you find over-allocated (or under-allocated) resources.
Benefits of Abstract 1 - Quick and easy to build
Weaknesses - Spreads Work evenly across the project. Not necessarily in line with reality. Saving Changes...
Hans RobbersSenior Director| SalesforceVlissingen, Netherlands
I do agree with Jack that this is the easiest option If the investment of MSP is an issue you can download Open Workbench for free which offer similar options.
By keeping actuals in MSP/Open Workbench it will re-claculate the remaining effort and re-balance the work load. This will partly overcome the disadvantage Jack is mentioning
May I know the reason why do you want to assign project/task to static resource? You can do this, if you have set of resources who will work dedicately on a particular project.
If you have shortage of resources/specialists, then you have to assign a free resource to the task (because the task will have start date, end date and it might also have some dependency).
Best Regards,
Vivekanandan M Saving Changes...
Aditya ChinniSr Project Manager| JELDWENKlamath Falls, Or, United States
Ava,
By looking at your question, it seems this problem is related to a Resource manager. This way the solution can be clear and not defying any project management principles.. You can achieve it by creating a resource pool in an exclusive file. (msp)
Then create each project in a separate msp file and refer to the same resource pool file. This way you can meet both resource manager and project manager worlds. Still you can level resources across projects and achieve your required results by managing one resource pool file.
Prasad VelagaExecutive| OptisolCollege Station, Tx, United States
Ava,
Whether you assign tasks to resources or resources to tasks depends on the way you look at the assignments. Conceptually, it is the matching between tasks and resouces over time. The view may however influence the algorithms developed for resource-constrained, multi-project scheduling. Certain situations may favor one view or the other. For example, in manufacturing environment, jobs are moved from resource to resource as work progresses. As Vladimir indicated, Excel is a poor option for for resource-constrained, multi-project scheduling.
