Managing resources accross mulitple projects

[Fusion]

I have a "program" and therefore numerous small projects and a
resource pool. I may have multiple projects executing at the same
time. A resource will usually be assigned to tasks within one project
and when finished with those tasks (although the project itself may be
ongoing), become available for other tasks/projects. As new projects
are being considered I'd like to be able to (1) plan (and tell my
manager) when a new project may start based on current resource
allocation and project status across ALL projects and (2) see which
resources will be available for the new project and when they will be
availible (two guys availible stating 8/15, and a third freeing up
8/22) and (3) it would be nice if I could play "what if" and give
options for starting new projects based on the number of resources and
their availability. Can MS Project help me accomplish this, and if so
what must I do generally to set up projects to accomplish this?

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Fusion:

If you're using Project Server, you can use the resource availability views
to see this in Project or Project Web Access. You can even see this in the
Analyzer. The key to accurate information is good plan structures that are
regularly updated.

 

[Fusion]

No we are not using Project Server, unfortunately I just have the
standalone project application on my workstation. Is there any way to
simulate this behavior using master/sub projects or any other way to
manipulate standalone project to be able to answer these kinds of
questions?

 

[Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]]

Fusion:

You can by using a common resource pool file. Ask your project stand-alone
questions at microsoft.public.project, as this group is specifically for
questions using Project with Project Server.