Resource Allocation - Main or Sub Tasks

[verossa]

Hi All,

I am new to MS Project and want to ensure when I set up my project it
provides the maximum scheduling / budgeting / reporting flexibility to meet
with the changing demands of the project I have a theoretical question
about the most flexible method to assign resource. I understand the
resource can be assigned as follows:

ID Task Duration Resource
1 Create Post 5 Person 1 [1.0], Person 2 [3.0], Person 3
[1.0]

The same scenario can be represented as main / sub-tasks:

ID Task Duration Resource
1 Create Post 5
1.1 Create Post 1 Person 1[1.0]
1.2 Create Post 3 Person 2[3.0]
1.3 Create Post 1 Person 3[1.0]

Can someone please describe / clarify the pro's & con's of both methods and
what impact (if any) both methods have on scheduling / budgeting /
reporting? When is it best to use one against the other - does it really
matter or is it personal preference?

I'd appreciate any insights from the NG.

Thank in advance - Vers

 

[Gérard Ducouret]

Hello Verossa,



MS Project is enough flexible to manage the 2 different breakdown structures
you quoted.

But if you need the maximum scheduling / budgeting / reporting flexibility,
the second breakdown, with short elementary tasks, would meet that
specification.

I know several companies which work that way : their own standard is "No
elementary task greater than 5 days, and only one resource by task".



Just a remark : your Person2 is working 3 times a day ? It's a little bit
too much for one person!



Gérard Ducouret

 

[verossa]

Hi Gerard,

Thanks again for the comments - I wasn't sure which to use, and we don't
have many conventions at my work place... None that I can find anyway.

I've started my plan using shared resources for tasks, and think I will
continue down this path. Besides I can rework things if it becomes a
massive issue. I'm still in the process of developing my main plan and
using smaller test plans to try things out.

"Just a remark : your Person2 is working 3 times a day ? It's a little bit
too much for one person!" - LOL no wonder I can't manage my resource
properly...

Have a good day / evening - Vers

Hello Verossa,



MS Project is enough flexible to manage the 2 different breakdown structures
you quoted.

But if you need the maximum scheduling / budgeting / reporting flexibility,
the second breakdown, with short elementary tasks, would meet that
specification.

I know several companies which work that way : their own standard is "No
elementary task greater than 5 days, and only one resource by task".



Just a remark : your Person2 is working 3 times a day ? It's a little bit
too much for one person!



Gérard Ducouret

Hi All,

I am new to MS Project and want to ensure when I set up my project it
provides the maximum scheduling / budgeting / reporting flexibility to meet
with the changing demands of the project I have a theoretical question
about the most flexible method to assign resource. I understand the
resource can be assigned as follows:

ID Task Duration Resource
1 Create Post 5 Person 1 [1.0], Person 2 [3.0],

Person

3
[1.0]

The same scenario can be represented as main / sub-tasks:

ID Task Duration Resource
1 Create Post 5
1.1 Create Post 1 Person 1[1.0]
1.2 Create Post 3 Person 2[3.0]
1.3 Create Post 1 Person 3[1.0]

Can someone please describe / clarify the pro's & con's of both methods and
what impact (if any) both methods have on scheduling / budgeting /
reporting? When is it best to use one against the other - does it really
matter or is it personal preference?

I'd appreciate any insights from the NG.

Thank in advance - Vers