Amanda BrennanDirector of Project Management and Implementation| Human Services OrganizationBoston, Ma, United States
I've been trying to work towards more transparency in my organization when it comes to resource allocation across a single or multiple projects. In order to do so, I've been looking into the MS Project resource functionality and MS Project server capabilities but I'm struggling grasping how to set it up effectively. I've looked for videos and blogs online that all point to "task duration" (in days, weeks) vs. "actual work" (in hours) but I still can't find clear guidance around using this appropriately.
Any suggestions or links to videos / posts about how to do this? Saving Changes...
MS Project classifies tasks as fixed units, duration or work and based on the classification you pick for a given task it will affect things like resource utilization, duration and total work effort.
My suggestion would be to pick up one of Eric Uytewaal's books as he does a great job of covering the ins and outs of the MSP scheduling engine.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I was in charge of implementing that time ago in my actual work place. it fails. But it fails as any other type of things not because the tool, just because the process and dynamic related to resource, any type of resource, allocation. A classic no matter the place you are working on. Saving Changes...
Chris St. JohnSenior Director| Southern New Hampshire UniversityHollis, Nh, United States
Thank you everyone, getting a better handle on resources across our portfolio is a major challenge especially for project requests that have not started. Can anyone recommend any books focused on enterprise resource management? Saving Changes...
1. Unless you are referring to materials or equipment, I'd encourage you to use the term "people". Yes, it's just a word, but it does make a difference in how we treat folks.
2. I'd suggest one of Dr. Goldratt's books such as The Goal as it does do a good job of covering the evils of multitasking, understanding where your bottlenecks are and addressing those.
Kiron
...
2 replies by Chris St. John and Luis Branco
Nov 19, 2019 9:16 AM
Luis Branco
...
Dear Kiron
Thank you for walking in this direction.
Nov 20, 2019 6:36 AM
Chris St. John
...
Thank you Kiron, excellent point, no one wants to be called a resource, projects are done by people, great people.
I will check the book out but am also interested in finding a reference that can describe in detail how to implement a resource management program at an enterprise level. For example, best practices to support resource estimation for the planning of incoming requests all the way to utilizing a PPM for a more detailed review of projects in flight.
The Goal
https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Process-Ongoin...g=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Nov 19, 2019 6:53 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Chris -
Couple of things:
1. Unless you are referring to materials or equipment, I'd encourage you to use the term "people". Yes, it's just a word, but it does make a difference in how we treat folks.
2. I'd suggest one of Dr. Goldratt's books such as The Goal as it does do a good job of covering the evils of multitasking, understanding where your bottlenecks are and addressing those.
Kiron
Dear Kiron
Thank you for walking in this direction. Saving Changes...
Chris St. JohnSenior Director| Southern New Hampshire UniversityHollis, Nh, United States
Nov 19, 2019 6:53 AM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
Chris -
Couple of things:
1. Unless you are referring to materials or equipment, I'd encourage you to use the term "people". Yes, it's just a word, but it does make a difference in how we treat folks.
2. I'd suggest one of Dr. Goldratt's books such as The Goal as it does do a good job of covering the evils of multitasking, understanding where your bottlenecks are and addressing those.
Kiron
Thank you Kiron, excellent point, no one wants to be called a resource, projects are done by people, great people.
I will check the book out but am also interested in finding a reference that can describe in detail how to implement a resource management program at an enterprise level. For example, best practices to support resource estimation for the planning of incoming requests all the way to utilizing a PPM for a more detailed review of projects in flight.
The Goal
https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Process-Ongoin...g=UTF8&qid=&sr= Saving Changes...
Vladimir LiberzonR&D Director| Spider Project TeamMoscow, Russian Federation
Projects require resources. Resources may be renewable and consumable, Renewable include people and machines, consumable include materials and equipment. Talking about specific resources you may call them people or machines. Saving Changes...
Love can sweep you off your feet and carry you along in a way you've never known before. But the ride always ends, and you end up feeling lonely and bitter. Wait. It's not love I'm describing. I'm thinking of a monorail.
