Proper use of a resource pool file?

[Just Fun]

I am using MSP 2003 standard on a stand-alone computer.

I have 3 projects (files) that use the resources from a resource pool file.

Everything is working except the opening and closing of the files.

Here's what I do:
I open the Resource pool read/write, Then I open one of the linked projects.
As I work in the project, I add resources to the Pool.
When I try to save the project, I am told that the pool is read only. - but
that's the reason that I opened it read/write! Then when I try to save the
resouce pool, I am told the project file is read only.

Yes I should uinderstand this but I don't.

When I work with a project file I want to be able to add resources on the
fly. Is there a requirement that I open the files in a set order?
Is there a restriction that I can only open the resource pool read/write
when all the linked files are closed? Or, do I have to open all the projects
before I open the pool?

Can I open Proj1 and then open ResPool read/write and then open Proj2 and
Proj3? As I manage the three projects, I want to add or edit the resources
without opening or closing the pool multiple times. (Right-or-Wrong, I think
that the only way to add resources is when the project files are closed.)

 

[Rod Gill]

I think Project always opens the resource pool in read only mode so it can
be shared. Once you've made resource changes, select Tools, Resource
Sharing, Update Resource Pool.

This will close the pool, open it in read/write, save it, close it then
re-open in read only again.

 

[Reza]

Hi Rod,

When you want to link a project to your resource pool using "Share
Resources" option (by clicking on "Tools" and then "Resources"), you must
select "Sharer takes precedence" rather than "Pool takes precedence in the
box. You can change this at any point. This should sort your problem. It will
enable you to add resources on the fly when you add them to your projects
rather than the resource pool. I have done this many times and it works for
me. You need to open your resource pool as read&write.

By the way you don't need to open your resource pool first before opening a
project. Just open the project you want to work on and MS Project will
automatically asks you if you want to open the pool or not. It is a useful
option when I don't want to make changes to my resources and just want to
have a clear view of the resources assigned to a particular project.

Good luck
Reza

 

[Just Fun]

Hi Reza,

How was I to know???

Your method works for me too. I was perplexed at the idea that this option
would impact the way the pool is updated when I add a resource in one
project but they appear in the pool and are then immediately available to
all other projects as well.

Contrary to the way you occasionally work on your projects without making
changes to the resources, I frequently add or edit resources when I work on
the files. I am a homebuilder and every time I sign a contract with a new
subcontractor or supplier, I need to add them to the pool and then assign
work to them in the appropriate project. I am likely to (but not committed
to) use them again on future projects as well. Your method is easy for me
now that I know it. I just had a hard time seeing the outcome of changing
this option to "Sharer Takes Precedence." Are there any side effects to
using this option that I should know about?

I also experimented with the order of opening the projects and the pool now
that it "works" the way I want it too. I can open either the pool first or
the projects first. One of the troublesome issues I find with MSP is that
some portions of the program are quite flexible about how I am able to use
it and other parts of the program are quite rigid and unforgiving in the way
they must be used.

 

[Reza]

Hi Rod,

I am glad that it now works for you. With regards to side effects, it
depends on the way you use MSP really. For example, if you have a resource
John B and he has a standard rate of £40 on the sharer project and £50 in the
resource pool project. Then the £40 will takes precedence over the £50 since
sharer project was selected as the precedence. Obviously if the resource pool
takes precedence then £50 will be retained as the final rate for John B.

Nearly in all my projects, Sharer takes precedence since it is the project
that I usually work on and update rather than the resource pool. I just leave
the resource pool as it is and everything works just fine. The only time that
I directly open the resource pool direct is when I want to add new resources
that I haven't used in any new project yet, otherwise I don't do much to it.
I hope this answers your questions.

By the way, I found the following web site very useful since examples are
explained clearly and to the point.
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMFrame.asp?CMD=ArticleSearch&AUTH=23

Best regards

 

[Reza]

Sorry Rod, I thought I better warn you that the environment in which I work
in and the way resources are managed might be totally different to yours. You
may use the same resource in a number of projects and the side effect with
what I suggested is that if you make changes to a resource cost,
availability, calender, etc in a sharer project. It will not be updated in
the resource pool and vice versa. Therefore other projects that use the same
resource won't be updated. From what you said about your job, it seems the
benefits of using sharer project as precedence over the pool is very limited
except allowing you to add resources on the fly. You might just be better
off using the resource pool as the main project since changes to resources
details are updated in sharer projects. This is MSP for you!!

Regards
Reza