Project 2003: Resource List too long, how do I manage large teams?

[Phil Cubbon]

I need to allocate resources to tasks within my plan. I have a problem with a
message telling me the resource list is too long. I seem to be limited to 256
characters. It will not allow me to add further resources or edit existing
resource allocations. Short of breaking the task down into sub-tasks, is
there another way of overcoming the problem.

 

[Gérard Ducouret]

Hello Phil,
I just made a test : the Resource column displays only the 255 first
characters, but it accepts a lot more. I tested with 565 characters (53
different resources on the same task!)... without any alert message.
(Project Professional 2003)

Gérard Ducouret

 

[Phil Cubbon]

Hi Gérard,
Thanks for the response.
I can enter as many charcters as I want as well, but my error message
informs me that I must reduce my resource names to below 256 to continue to
edit. I suspect it is because I am working on Project 2003 Standard, as I
note you tested the problem on a Professional version. Maybe someone from
Microsoft can confirm that an upgrade to the Professional version would
remove the problem.

Phil

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Phil,

I can confirm the 256 limit in Standard 2003. I wasn't aware of a
difference in the Pro version. Whether it's worth the upgrade or whether
you need server as well, I don't know. You can overcome the limit by using
initials, as this will reduce the number of characters per resource in the
listing.

Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[Phil Cubbon]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the response. I am already using initials and breaching the
limit. The Pro version was looking promising until you cast doubt on the
increase in limits! I suspect I'll just break the task down into sub-tasks,
that limit the resource constraint, unless it can be confirmed that Pro solve
the issue.

Phil

 

[Mike Glen]

You're welcome, Phil I can't help with the Pro version as I don't have
it.

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP