How do I set up Resource Manager Notifications?

[Michelle]

How do I set up the notification options to alert resource managers of their
resources' assignments? I know it involves the RBS, the notification options
and possibly a category; but I still don't have a clear understanding of how
to set it all up so that the resource manager actually gets a notification.
My notfications are working fine for the resources and the project managers.

Thanks!
Michelle

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Michelle:

Assuming that you've correctly attributed resources with an RBS value so
that the system knows who manages whom, then it's up to each resource
manager to logon and setup these notifications for themselves under alert me
about my resources.

 

[Michelle]

Gary,

How do I know if I've set the RBS value up so that the system knows who
manages whom? I think I have set it up correctly, but it still is not
working.

Thanks!
Michelle

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Michelle:

Trusting for a moment that you have setup the RBS correctly, then you need
to make sure that the email connection is configured correctly and the
managers have activated their notifications. Have you set the time for the
reminder service to run?

I can't tell if things are correct in your system without looking at them. I
can only help guide by reminding you of where things can go wrong.

 

[Michelle]

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your response. Are there any examples on incorrectly set up vs.
correctly set up RBS? Since it's modeled after my company's organizational
structure, I don't understand how it could be set up incorrectly.

I believe the email set-up is fine and the time has been set. It is already
working for the resources and the project managers. Can there still be a
problem on this end if it is already working for the resources and the
project managers?

I double-checked the resource managers' notifications, and they are turned
on.

Do you have any other ideas for what could be wrong?

Thanks for your help.
Michelle

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Michelle:

Make sure that all people who you want to receive resource manager
notifications are members of the Resource Managers Group and make sure that
the My Resources category has the "Allow users in this category to view
information for all resources that they manage" checked.

 

[Michelle Moulliet]

Thanks Gary.

It still doesn't seem to be working correctly; but it is working better than
before.

Here's what I've done:
-Double-checked everything you have noted here.
-Edited my RBS so that people at the working level had a corresponding entry
and mapped those resources to that entry rather than to their manager's entry
in the RBS. Every resource is reflected in the RBS. This might be a good
tip to include in any upcoming books you might be writing. (hint, hint )
-Checked the "Manage Tasks" option in the My Resources Category... it was
unchecked.

So now, I still can't seem to notify resource managers or let them approve
timesheets. BUT they can see their resource assignments with the change to
the RBS, whereas they couldn't before.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for me?

Thanks again, for all of your help!
Michelle

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Timesheet approval comes along with Managed time periods. I don't like them
much, but they have their application. Know also that timesheet approval in
Project Server has no affect on the project plan. It's strictly notational,
so you're not losing much other than a feel-good step.

 

[Michelle Moulliet]

Does the task delegation feature forward email notifications of updates to
the lead on a task? And can the lead adjust the actuals for a task they have
delegated?

I'm thinking perhaps task delegation is the best way to go... I'll just
assign resource managers upfront and they, in turn, can delegate to their
resources.

Thanks again!
Michelle

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Michelle:

You can use the feature that way. Make sure the RMs are also members of the
TeamLead group.