Clear leveling values before leveling

[ks2008]

Hi
Pl. refer "Tools -> Resource Levelling".

Could you explain, what it means, "Clear leveling values befor
leveling" ?

thanks
KS, PM

 

[Rod Gill]

It clears all previous leveling changes instead of adding leveling changes
on top of previous changes.

Note that automatic leveling has only about a 10% chance of providing the
optimum solution. It's much better to level manually.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

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

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Rod and all,

Ever tried leveling manually on a say 500 tasks project?
It may be better (although...) but very often not realistic I'm afraid.
Greetings,

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

 

[Rod Gill]

I've just finished leveling 2000 tasks (in 3 projects) manually and doing so
automatically would have ruined the schedules and left them very
unrealistic. I find that provided you have a good indication of what
resource availability you have then leveling as you build the schedule gets
you most of the way.

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

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

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Well, congratulations. I wouldn't have the courage (or I'm just too lazy)
)

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

 

[ks2008]

Dear All,
I am confused with all your answers.
I just wanted to know, what is the meaning of "splitting" here ?
How the MS project handles that on splitting ?
How the MS Project decides the task required to be delayed or require
to be splited ?

"Resource leveling is the process of delaying or splitting "
I do understand, the meaning of delaying. Could you explain splittin
?

Thanks
K

 

[Dave]

Dear All,
I am confused with all your answers.
I just wanted to know, what is the meaning of "splitting" here ?
How the MS project handles that on splitting ?
How the MS Project decides the task required to be delayed or required
to be splited ?

"Resource leveling is the process of delaying or splitting "
I do understand, the meaning of delaying. Could you explain splitting
?

Thanks
KS

Suppose you have a two week task you need to schedule. You already have
a task scheduled to start 27 July and last a week. If you don't allow
the first task to split, it can't start until 3 August. That is a
simple delay. If you allow it to split, it could start on 20 July,
continue for a week and then the second half could take place week
beginning 3 August.

Essentially, it is the fragmentation of tasks to mop up smaller amounts
of available resource in your plan.

Note that it does not modify the assignment units and consequently, will
not optimise your plan in this regard.

 

[Dave]

I've just finished leveling 2000 tasks (in 3 projects) manually and
doing so automatically would have ruined the schedules and left them
very unrealistic. I find that provided you have a good indication of
what resource availability you have then leveling as you build the
schedule gets you most of the way.

What do you mean by 'manual'? Do you simply enter values in the
'levelling delay column' or do you use the 'levelling' button?

I prefer an iterative approach which is semi-manual. I level tasks in
batches, giving high priority values to the ones I want scheduled first
and then giving them a priority of 1000 once I am happy with the
results. I then proceed to the next batch by boosting their priority.

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Dave,

Fully agree. Leveling is so powerful and rapid that you can use it
iteratively to look for a suitable plan. I advocate leveling but indeed when
teh result doen't please, change priorities.
Greetings,

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

 

[Dave]

Hi Dave,

Fully agree. Leveling is so powerful and rapid that you can use it
iteratively to look for a suitable plan. I advocate leveling but indeed when
teh result doen't please, change priorities.
Greetings,

I think it's a tragedy that so many users are so afraid of this very
useful feature.

 

[ks2008]

Dear Dave,
Thank you very much for your very detailed explanation. Appreciate it.
Thanks
KS