Increasing Resources Incrementally for a Task

[dallr]

I would like to find out how to do this. Lets say I have ONE task that
is going on for about 3 months. But throughout the lifetime of this task
I _know__i will be adding resoruces progressively. Meaning lets say
within the first two weeks I have 2 persons working one it. Then in
another two weeks I interview more people and then increase the
compliment.

How do i represent this one task when resources increase progressively.


dallr

 

[JulieS]

Hello dallr,

You can assign resources incrementally to a task without difficulty.
You'll need to determine if the addition of resources should keep
the total amount of work the same and decrease duration
(effort-driven) or if the addition of more people should increase
the total work and keep duration stable (non-effort driven).

If you are going to add resources, I suggest working with a split
view to show the Gantt chart at the top and the Task Form formatted
to show resource schedule at the bottom. By using the Task form,
you can add delay to the resource assignment to allow the addition
of resources throughout the span of the task and not have the
assignment start at the start date of the task.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

 

[dallr]

Let met add some more info to see if that helps. When I setup the task I
set it up for the maximum duration so when add resources the duration
will not change. I am more wanting to track when the resources come on
so I that i can cost them better. Because I am thinking if I add the
resources after then the costing will be off. I hope the new information
sheds some more light on the matter. As you can see I am new to project.


On another note how do I change assign the resource as effort-driven or
non-effort driven.

Dallr

 

[JulieS]

Hello dallr,

My comments are inline with your post below.

Let met add some more info to see if that helps. When I setup the
task I
set it up for the maximum duration so when add resources the
duration
will not change.

[Julie]: If you do not want the duration to change as you add or
subtract additional resource assignments, you'll want to ensure that
effort-driven is unchecked.

I am more wanting to track when the resources come on
so I that i can cost them better. Because I am thinking if I add
the
resources after then the costing will be off.

[Julie] You've lost me a bit on this one. If your resources have
rates set (standard and ot rates) as you assign resources the cost
for each resource is calculated by Project based upon the amount of
work * rate. I don't understand "...if I add the resources after
then the costing will be off." If you have saved a baseline for the
task before assigning resources, yes, your cost as compared to
baseline cost will be off, but you most likely shouldn't be
baselining before you've assigned your resources - as not only will
your costs be off, but so will the work estimates.

I hope the new information
sheds some more light on the matter. As you can see I am new to
project.

[Julie] No trouble with the newness -- we've all been there at one
time or another. Please don't be shy about asking for clarification

On another note how do I change assign the resource as
effort-driven or
non-effort driven.

[Julie] The effort driven checkbox is available on the advanced tab
of the Task Information dialog box. Double click on the task to
show the Task Information dialog.

Dallr

<snip>

 

[vanita]

Hi Dallr

I would like to add something to Julie's detailed suggestions.

I understand that resource requirement in your tasks is difefrential during
the course of time. For showing this you could use a 'Work contour' option if
you know the duration and total work to be done. For using 'Work contour' you
may follow these steps:

1. In Gantt chart view, split the window and in lower window change the task
type to 'Fixed duration'. Assign resources to tasks either by assigning units
per day or work. This way we have assigned equal units of resource everyday.
2. Go to Resource usage view and select task name under relevant resource
assignment. Right click > select Resource information > work contour option.
By default it would be 'Flat' as equal amount of resource is assigned every
day. Change it as per your requirement. In your situation, you may select
'Back loaded' option. You may adjust work if the value has changed. Now you
will get more resources assigned in later days.
3. If the resources have come in decimals, you may change the value in each
cell yourself to have whole numbers.
4. If you have assigned rate to resources in 'Resource sheet' view, cash
flow would be automatically calculated as per the resource assignment.

I hope it helps.
Vanita