Multi-Projects Resource Leveling

[Serge Locas]

We are using Project 2003 with Project Server 2003 to
manage all work done in the IT organization.

A resource X may be assigned part time (ex. 40%, 2d per
week) on project A and also part-time on project B (ex.
60%).

Project Manager A must level resource X usage such that
he will not used more than 40% of the available time of
resource X on his project (Project A). The same way,
Project Manager B must level resource X usage such that
he will not used more than 60% of the available time of
resource X on his project (Project B).

How do we configure Project Professional 2003 and/or
Project Server 2003 on both project, to be able to use
the resource leveling function to spread the resource's
usage taking into consideration the Max Unit of that
resource assigned to the specific project???

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Serge --

Before you attempt to level any projects, you need to know that Microsoft
Project can only do two things when it levels:

1. Delay tasks
2. Split tasks

The leveling tool in the software will never adjust Units to resolve an
overallocation. If adjusting the Units is a leveling need, then you must do
this manually. Otherwise, if you wish to level overallocated resources
across multiple projects using Microsoft Project's built-in leveling tool,
you must have all of the projects open before you attempt to do the
leveling. Hope this helps.

 

[Serge]

Hi Dale,

Thanks for the information. I understand the action
performed by the leveling function.

To define the max. unit allowed during leveling for a
specific resource on a specific project, do I have to
modify the "Max Unit" field in the resource sheet on each
project for the specific resource?

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Serge --

The Max. Units value for any resource in any project is determined from the
resource's Max. Units value in the Enterprise Resource Pool. You cannot set
this value on a project by project basis. Sorry.

 

[Serge Locas]

Dale,

According to that, how do we level (other than manually)
the schedule of a specific project based on the
availability (x % of Max. Unit)negotiated for the
resources for a specific project??

This is the specific reason we implement an EPM, i.e to
be able to resolve the overallocation of resources
working on more than one project.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Serge --

As I have stated previously, Microsoft Project can only level in two ways:
delaying or splitting tasks. If you need to level in any other manner, you
need to do so manually. By "manually" I mean that you must manually make
the revisions to the resource loading because the software cannot do it for
you. Hope this helps.

 

[Serge Locas]

Dale,

I think you misunderstood my requirements.

I know that Microsoft Project can only level in two ways:
delaying or splitting tasks. But is it possible that MPP
delay or split tasks such that to respect the
availability of resources on a specific project (ex.
available 40% on the project).

Thanks for your help.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Serge --

No. You must do that manually.

 

[Serge Locas]

Dale,

That is also my conclusion. But ...

I think, the only way that will work is to define a local
resource with a Max. Unit equal to 40%, to assign this
resource to the same tasks the part-time enterprise
resource is assigned (with Assignment unit = 40% for both
resources), and finally perform the resource leveling on
the local resource.

The leveling function will delay the tasks based on the
maximum availability (40%)of the local resource.

Thanks again for your time.