Parallell work with resource constraints

[Ã…sa Larsson]

We have two resources working together on one task (totally 16 h). Resource 1
is available 100% for the project and resource 2 is only available 20%. These
two resources needs to do the task (reviews) simulatiously, when resource 2
is available. The work load for this task is the same for both resources (16
h each).
We have tried Fixed Duration, Fixed Unit and Fixed Work but with no success.
In the tests we've done;
* the total work has changed for a task
* work per resource has changed or
* the task is not performed on the same date (which is a must).

Any ideas of how to set-up this correctly, to avoid manual work arounds?

Thanks in advance.
Ã…sa.

 

[Rob Schneider]

Remember that with Project, there are three things involved in the basic
equation: Work x Units x Duration

You set 2 and Project computes the third.

Sounds to me as you have.

Task Number 1:


Enter in task form for Task Number 1
Resource 1: Units=1, Work=16h
Resource 2: Units=.2, Work=16h
Type Task: Fixed Work
Effort Drivn: Check on

Project will compute the task duration as 10 day which is the longest of
the two resources, e.g. Resource 2 which working at 20% will take 16hr x
8 hr/day / 0.2 = 10 days (assuming 8 hours working time per day).

Give it a try.

This may or may not fully simulate the project plan you want, e.g. that
only can work when Resource 2 is available; but over the 10 days
Resource 1 and 2 can figure how each will spend their 16 hours of time.

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[JulieS]

Hello Asa,

If I read your question correctly, there is no automatic way to
accomplish this. When Project schedules resources, it schedules
work to start during working time set in each resources calendar
and continue at a steady pace based upon the assignment units.
So resource 1 who is assigned at 100% will finish his/her 8 hours
of work at the start date of the task assuming it is working time
in his/her schedule. Resource two will spread his/her 8 hours of
work out over 5 days at a rate of 1.6 hours per day.

About the only method I can come up with (and it is still a
manual work around) is to create a task calendar allow 1.5 hours
of working time per day. Assign that calendar to the task and
select the option "Scheduling ignore resource calendar".

You'll need to assign both resources at 100%, which will
overallocate the second resource whose max. units is 20%.
However, the resource will not be overallocated on a day-by-day
basis if the task is the only one assigned during that time frame.

However, even the task calendar method is not infallible.
Leveling resources and allowing the leveling command to adjust
individual assignments will throw the entire process off.

The ability to set and enforce the idea that both resources must
work together is something that has been on the top of the "wish"
list for many users of Project for a very long time.

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