Multiple sample testing

[Alex]

Can anyone help me to create a project for doing laboratory tests.

Bare with me as I'm new to using MS Project. I don't know if I'm asking the
impossible.

I have to come up with costs and timings for some research tests. I need a
figure for the basic test - lets say 1 sample. Then I want to be able to get
figures for 2 or more samples.

The problem is that when there are more samples the costs aren't always
simply doubled because of the equipment capacity. For example, one piece of
machinery fits 100 samples therefore it takes the same amount of time whether
1 or 99 samples are tested. Another test can only measure 20 samples at once.

In the end I'd like to be able to input sample size (and replicates) into
the project and get a timeframe and anticipated cost for clients.

I don't think the samples are just resources. If I have to input them as
parameters how do I do it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim Aksel]

Generally, Project is going to want a linear relationship for cost. However,
you may want to consider this.

Create a resource "Machine1" with a cost/use of say $100. You know this
machine can handle up to 100 samples.... Project doesn't know that (yet).
Create another resource to represent the variable cost of the test, say
$4/sample in supplies, etc. Then we pay Sally $50/hr and she is also a
resource who runs the test, etc.

You could then create some code using VBA (it is already in project), where
you can run the code and it will ask "How many samples?". The code could
calculate the number of tasks it will take to consume the sample size in lots
of 10, with one one fractional run last.

Example (Fabricated from my imagination): Machine costs $100/use and will
hold 10 samples. The variable cost for each sample placed into the machine
is $4. To run the machine for one run takes 6 hours. You want to run 36
samples.

This will be 4 runs. and take 24 business hours. (assuming we can stop the
test at 5PM, etc). The cost will be 4*100 + $36*4+ $50*24.

Project will do some of the heavy lifting -- you will need to create code to
receive the input of the sample size. The code would then calculate that it
will have to insert 4 tasks into your schedule, link then Finish To Start,
3@10, 1@6, It will assign the three resources for you as well.

This is a couple billable hours, if you wanted me to do it.

If you create the code on a form, you could reuse it many times.

Perhaps one of the other regular posters will have a simpler solutino.
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Jim
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