Reserving equipment for tasks

[BudOlly]

Hello,

Our group is starting to implement MS Project, so we are a little new to all
the features and quarks. Here's what we are trying to do:

We have a GMP suite used for production of phase I and phase II
pharmaceuticals. We need to be able to 'reserve' this clean room
environment
for certain tasks at certain times. The best way that I have found to do
this sort of scheduling with MS Project is to create a 'work' resource
called
"GMP", leave the cost tables at $0, then assign this resource to whatever
task will be 'reserving' the suite. Of course I have to set the duration as
fixed and let MS Project think there is more work required for the task, but
at least this way Project will let us know if the suite is over allocated.

My question: Is this the best method to create an equipment reservation?
If not, how might we better approach this?

 

[Jim Aksel]

That will work fine, establish the cost of the resoruce at $0/hr in the
resource sheet.
This will create "work" when you assign it, however.... at the rate of 8
hours per day. So your overall work will be overstated.

You can also make this resource a Material resource. In this case, the
leveling has to be done manually.

In the future, Project 2010 will have a better handle on this type of thing
with the new team planner views.
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Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com