Rsource Graphing

[Robert]

Greetings all.

I currently operate MSP 2003 pro desktop version. I support a department
that has resources working on 11 different projects. I've set up a labor
pool and a master project to view all of the projects and resources.

I need to be able to generate a summary level, timescaled graph, that
indicates the labor allocation, by resource, for selected resources. The
graph preferably needs to be a vertical bar type chart with 100% being the
upper threshold so that overallocations and underallocations can be easily
observed by the department manager.

I can easily generate the resource usage sheet in MSP but the department
manager wants to see a graph. He does not want to see a stack of graphs (one
for each resource) that MSP generates.

I beleive I understand from this forum that it is not possible to generate
the type of graph I'm seeking in MSP. Looks as if I'll need to send the data
to MS Excel which doesn't look too daunting. However, I'd like to automate
as much as possible as this graph will be updated frequently. I'm not VBA
conversant but am willing to learn.

All input is appreciated.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Robert,

On a copy, try stepping through the information at FAQ #38 "Combined
Resource Graph" at:

http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

and see if that gets you close to what you need.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

 

[Robert]

Thanks Julie.

I read and tried FAQ #38 prior to posting. It was good information that
will serve me for a different purpose but doesn't quite do what I need. From
what I can see FAQ #38 results in a bar graph that combines all of the
selected resources. I need a graph that depicts an allocation % for each
discrete resource selected. For example, if I have resources named Alan,
Barbara, Charlie, Denise, and Ed I'd like to depict each of their allocation,
on a monthly basis, all on the same chart. Said another way, there should be
5 bars for each month for as many months as I choose.

Thanks for any additional insight.

 

[JulieS]

Hello Robert,

You're welcome for the assistance and thanks for the feedback.

The additional information you've given does mean that you'll need
to export to Excel. I suggest trying the "Analyze Timescaled data
in Excel" button on the Analysis toolbar. You should be able to
export a number of timescaled fields for each resource including
percent allocation. Start from the Resource Usage view. When given
the option in the Wizard, show a monthly timescale.

That will export the data for you to Excel and will graph it. You
can then manipulate the data and graph as you like.

Julie

 

[Robert]

Thanks Julie. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Hello Robert,

You're welcome for the assistance and thanks for the feedback.

The additional information you've given does mean that you'll need
to export to Excel. I suggest trying the "Analyze Timescaled data
in Excel" button on the Analysis toolbar. You should be able to
export a number of timescaled fields for each resource including
percent allocation. Start from the Resource Usage view. When given
the option in the Wizard, show a monthly timescale.

That will export the data for you to Excel and will graph it. You
can then manipulate the data and graph as you like.

Julie

 

[JulieS]

You're welcome Robert. Let us know how you make out.

Julie

 

[Robert]

Julie I think this is going to work. I've ran a few samples and it generated
a nice excel graph. Question is however, the graph is for the total of the
selected resources, not individual. I did tinker with the source data and
could get individual lines (or bars) but was curious, is there a way to make
it do this automatically? I did choose "selected resources" but it simply
graphed the total of the selected resources. Admittedly, it won't take much
to change the source data to get a look by individual.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Robert,

I'm glad you found exporting the timescaled data to Excel gets you
most of the way there. You're correct it graphs the total work for
all resources by default, even though it exports each individual
resource's data. I don't know how to make it "automatically" graph
each individual resource. Assuming you usually need to graph
individuals, I wouldn't bother to have Excel draw the graph as part
of the export.

You're most welcome for the assist. Glad to have helped and thanks
for the feedback.

Julie