In Project 2003 (SP1) I get unexpected leveling results

[R_J_K]

I am trying to use Manually envolked level Day by Day. It indicates that it
completed its task as the marker icon is removed but the results are off. I
get splits that can't be explained and task assignements that don't apply the
available working hours of the resources appled to the taskes.

 

[Chris Marriott]

i can only answer in general terms not seeing your levelling results.

the main point is that the levelling tool is designed to prevent over
allocations. It does this very well.

What it does not do is fill in the gaps . .it does not look for unused hours
and fill them with work.

This can result in many gaps in your plan.


Chris M

 

[Ian Coletti, PMP]

Hi,

There are lots of things you need to take into consideration when leveling
your schedule. I usually look at leveling at many different angles such as
task by task and overall resource allocation.

If tasks are splitting and you do not want them to split, then you should
consider the options "Level can adjust individual assignments on a task" and
"Leveling can create splits in remaining work." You'll get different results
based on the settings for these two as well as combinations of settings
(i.e.: one checked and the other not). Without going through how each
work, you basically need to consider how you want the tasks leveled. Do they
need to be worked on contiguously (meaning no gaps / spilts in work)? Do
multiple resources need to work contiguously on a task or can their work be
done independently of each other?

Also, you can set this globally or set the value for each individual task.
You can insert the columns / fields "Level assignments" and / or "Leveling
Can Split" to adjust individually for each task. Setting this at the task
level (in a Gantt view for example) will supercede the settings in the
leveling window where you actually initiate the leveling feature.

Hope this helps. Also, note the other options in the leveling window. You
can "clear Leveling" if you are not satisfied with the results. You can also
check the "leveling delay field to see how much (if any) a task was leveled.

Best of luck!

Ian

 

[Ray Krasko]

Chris:

I think that your answer may be correct but not what my expectation was. I
was hoping that it would fill in unused hours, etc. Perhaps with this new
understanding I can figure out an alternate approach.

Thanks for your feedback.

Cheers,
Ray Krasko

 

[Ray Krasko]

Ian:

Thanks for the feedback. I will work with you suggestions and the new
understanding the Chris gave me in this thread and see where I go with it.

Cheers,
Ray Krasko

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

Just to specify that both options (Leveling can split and Level Individual
assignments) are available on Task level so you can decide which taks can
not be split.
The Boolean field are called Leveling Can Split and Level Assignments
HTH

 

[Vic]

Is there a way to manually fill in the gaps that result from this leveling?

I tried doing so in the Resource Usage View by typing in the hours for the
gap days in the "Work" field. But in some cases (not all) it automatically
fills in the "Actual Work" field as well causing the task to look complete or
more complete than reality.

Still not sure why Project causes gaps when leveling. One of it main jobs is
to string tasks so you can see the shortest time it will take to complete the
project. Sorry had to get that off my chest .

Please let me know if there's a way to manually assign the work days without
it recording actuals. Or preferrably, if there's a better way for Project to
do this automatically .

Vic