Resource Codes

[Don Barrett]

I am attempting to define our enterprise resources based on a skill matrix
that we have developed. In other words we have human resources with a
variety of skills and I need to assign them to tasks based on the skills they
possess. It is a large skill matrix, are the outline codes the right method
if so what are the capabilities? Is there a modifiable generic import that
can be used based on a skill matrix?

 

[Gary L. Chefetz \(MVP\)]

Don:

Outline Codes and Multi-value Outline codes are your only option in Project
Server. Keep in mind that Project Server is not a skills inventory
management application. As for importing, the difficulty you face is the
structure of the outline codes (hierarchical) compared to the native format
of your current data. It's possible to stage this data before importing it
to Project Server so that you can import it rather quickly. Of course the
work is in the staging.<g>

--

Gary L. Chefetz, MVP
"We wrote the books on Project Server"
http://www.msprojectexperts.com

-

 

[Matt Stevenson (UK)]

Ditto... (Spot on)
If I can add something....
It sounds like the holy grail - resourcing using skills to get the right
person on the right job.
Practically, though consider things like:
1. Resources can have several skills - so are you going to match on some or
all skills
2. Resources have multi skill levels - so do you want to match an expert to
do a task applicable to a competent resource?
3. Resources change skills - so who's going to keep the skills database
updated in the ERP?
4. PM's are busy - so having to initially put the right blend of generic
resources + skills against tasks, just so you can hit a button that'll give
you a suggested list of resources can be a hammer to crack a nut - they just
won't use the functionality unless it's easy.

If you still want to go with it, great but I've found on a couple of
implementations that PM's still choose to discuss resourcing options with
TL's or RM's and subsequently assign manually. Where skills work is at a
general level only - i.e. I'm looking for a person with VB experience etc.
for which you could use the standard resoruce outline codes fine.

 

[Brian K - Project MVP]

I am attempting to define our enterprise resources based on a skill
matrix that we have developed. In other words we have human
resources with a variety of skills and I need to assign them to tasks
based on the skills they possess. It is a large skill matrix, are
the outline codes the right method if so what are the capabilities?
Is there a modifiable generic import that can be used based on a
skill matrix?

If you are using Project Server 2003 then use Ent. Resource Outline
codes 20-29 for this since these are Multi-Value codes (meaning that
any one field can contain many skill assignments).

In 2002 you would need to use several Outline codes to model this.

--
___
Brian K
Project MVP
http://www.projectified.com

Project Server Consultant
http://www.quantumpm.com