generic resource

[reza]

Hi All,

Another question from me...

when setup project plan i use generic resource, then i import project plan
to project server using import wizard.
1. Should we import generic resources to project server? and if i don't
import generic resources to project server, what will happen? is it bad?

2. can generic resources see his/her task in project plan? how?

3. in my task there were feature "assign task to me". In what condition that
feature will use/enable?

a lot of thanks for your explanation.

reza

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Reza --

1. Your Project Server administrator needs to set up the Enterprise
Resource Pool so that it contains all of the resources available for project
work. This may include any or all of the following: Work resources,
Generic resources, Material resources, Cost resources, and Team resources.
I applaud you for using the Import Project Wizard to import an .mpp file.
When you do so, you should map the Generic resource in the project with a
corresponding enterprise Generic resource.

2. Generic resources are skill-based or placeholder resources. They are
not real people. If a PM assigns an enterprise Generic resource to tasks in
his/her project and publishes the project, the PM sees the task assignments
for the Generic resource on the PMs own My Tasks page. Microsoft assumes
that the PM is the person who must status the work for the enterprise
Generic resources assigned to tasks in the project. There is no way to
change this behavior and have someone else status the tasks for the Generic
resource. Because of this, I strongly recommend that you use Generic
resources only for planning purposes to see the skills or roles needed for
each task in the project. Before the project goes live, the PM should
replace each Generic resource with a human Work resource.

3. Are you referring to the Self-Assign Team Task functionality? If so,
this is used only with Team resource functionality. The Project Server can
create Team resources in the Enterprise Resource Pool, and each Team
resource represents a group of people. When the PM assigns a Team resource
to a task and publishes the project, each person on the team can see the
this task, known as a Team task, on the Team Tasks page. Any one of the
resources on this team can go to the Team Tasks page and assign the Team
task to him/herself.

These are excellent questions! Thanks for asking them. Hope this
helps.

 

[reza]

Dale---

about using team resources.
for example, resource 1 & Resource 2 in DBA Team resource. So, in both my
task view that tasks will occur right?
1. If Resource 1 Self-Assign Team Task for Task A, will resource 2 can view
task A in resource 2 my task?
2. If yes, how to remove task A in resource 2 my task view? assuming Task A
will assign to Resource 1 only.
3. If no, how to make task A in resource 2 my task view? assuming task A
will assign to resource 1 & resource 2.

btw thanks for your great explanation about generic resources.....

reza

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Reza --

In your example, the DBA resource is a Team resource that represents
Resource 1 and Resource 2. Correct? Assuming this is the case, and that
both Resource 1 and Resource 2 are only members of the Team Members group,
neither of them will be able to see the Team task on their My Tasks page.
Instead, each of them will need to navigate to the Team Tasks page to see
the Team tasks (click the Self-Assign Team Task button). If either of them
are members of the Project Managers group, then that person will be able to
see Team tasks on their My Tasks page. To answer your questions:

1. Once Resource 1 self-assigns Task A, Resource 2 will no longer see it.
2. The answer is no, not yet.
3. When Resource 1 self-assigns Task A. the system removes it from the Team
Tasks page so that Resource 2 cannot see it. Thus, there is no way for
Resource 2 to also self-assign Task A.

Given my answers to your questions, my guess is that Team resources and Team
tasks will not really work for you. Their functionality is VERY limited, as
you can see. Hope this helps.

 

[reza]

Thanks Dale, its really helpful for me.

Reza --

In your example, the DBA resource is a Team resource that represents
Resource 1 and Resource 2. Correct? Assuming this is the case, and that
both Resource 1 and Resource 2 are only members of the Team Members group,
neither of them will be able to see the Team task on their My Tasks page.
Instead, each of them will need to navigate to the Team Tasks page to see
the Team tasks (click the Self-Assign Team Task button). If either of them
are members of the Project Managers group, then that person will be able to
see Team tasks on their My Tasks page. To answer your questions:

1. Once Resource 1 self-assigns Task A, Resource 2 will no longer see it.
2. The answer is no, not yet.
3. When Resource 1 self-assigns Task A. the system removes it from the Team
Tasks page so that Resource 2 cannot see it. Thus, there is no way for
Resource 2 to also self-assign Task A.

Given my answers to your questions, my guess is that Team resources and Team
tasks will not really work for you. Their functionality is VERY limited, as
you can see. Hope this helps.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Reza --

You are more than welcome for the help, my friend!