Resource Assignment - Skill Set / Location - MS Project 2007

[GoGoBear]

I want to assign resources with specific skills sets, and location, an
I
want to assign specific skill sets required to tasks.

In summary, I want to be able to schedule tasks based on th
availability and location of resources with the required skill set fo
the task, and I want to do this without having to memorize who can d
what and where they live...I'd like to just enter it once and then hav
it occur automatically.

So...for example...if a task calls for an electrician in Chicago,
want to have the task SPECIFICALLY call for an electrician in Chicag
when I schedule it, and be constrained by the availability of a
electrician in Chicago from my
resource pool....versus being able to assign a plumber from St Louis t

perform the task. Is this possible? I am a novice user, so PLEASE b
very
step by step specific

This seems like a fundamental use for MS Project, but I can't figur
out how to do it...

Thanks in advance for your help..

 

[JulieS]

Hi GoGoBear,

Sorry, there is no automatic method within Project to do this. You
can add fields with lists created by you to note location or skills
required and through some creative naming of resources manually
match the resources to the location and skills required. But
automatic, no.

If you have matched the resource and the task, the task will be
scheduled based upon the resource's calendar. If the resource is
assigned to another task which conflicts, the resource will be
flagged as overallocated and you can resolve that issue as needed.

If you'd like some additional information on the manual method, post
back and we'll be happy to go into more detail.

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

 

[GoGoBear]

Thanks for your help...yes, if you want to provide some manual method
suggestions i would absolutely welcome them....

 

[JulieS]

Hi GoGoBear,

If you have a relatively clear list of skills and locations, you can
use two of the spare text fields and create a drop-down or pick list
to make the selection easier.

Insert the fields (Insert > Column through the menu). Once you've
inserted the fields, right click on the field (column) heading to
show the Customize Fields dialog. Rename the fields and then click
on the Lookup button and create the list of locations. Repeat for
the skills list.

If you've then named the resources -- for example: Chicago -
Carpenter - Joe Smith, you should more easily be able to select the
correct location, skill and person.

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