Specify different allocations % during a task?

[Joe]

Is it possible to assign a different allocation to a resource on a specific
task for a specific period of time? For example, a developer is going to
spend 2 weeks coding something at 100%, but during day 4,5,6 & 7, I want him
allocated to this task 50% of the time, and another task also at 50%. Then
from day 8 (when the second task is done) till the end, have him back to 100%
allocated. I currently do this by manually adjusting the hours on day
4,5,6,7 in the Resource Usage View, but I am looking for an easier way to set
up the task rather than manually adjusting the work hours. Would some how
using a hammock task work? I also don’t want to create 3 separate task items
either.

 

[Steve House [MVP]]

What you're talking about is called a "work contour." You can either do it
as you've been doing, entering the hours each day by hand, or you can click
the button on the left next to the assignment in the usage view and apply
one of the pre-set contours on the Assignment Details form. What you're
describing is close to the "turtle" contour (curve looks like an upside down
turtle shell) but not quite, nor is it exactly any of the other pre-sets
either. 'Fraid you're stuck with doing it by hand if you need to be that
precise. I'd definitely NOT split it into 3 tasks as that could create more
headaches than it solves and could easily result in even more work for you.
Also watch out for what should happen to the total work - 10 days @ 100% is
NOT the same thing as 3 days @ 100%, 4 days @ 50%, and then another 3 days @
100%. There's 16 man-hours difference there and you need to decide a:
whether the 16 needs to be done, and b: if so, where it should be put - ie,
should the task now be 12 days with 4 @100%, 4 @ 50%, and 4 @ 100%?

Hammock task definitely wouldn't do what you want.

 

[fxs]

Steve,

Where would one go to read up the 'theoritical' explanation of these
'contours' etc. I know MS has dozens of sites for asp.net developers etc.,
but what' s agood resource for MS Project?

Regards,
Fxs.

 

[Steve House [MVP]]

Work contours are described in the help files. One of the easiest ways to
see how they work is to set up a little experimental plan with one task,
maybe 10 days duration, put a resource on it, switch to the usage views,
apply the various contours and see how the hours get distributed. BTW, task
type matters there so if I have a task with 10 days duration that's fixed
work and apply a bell contour, the duration goes to 3 weeks. OTOH, if the
task is fixed duration and I apply the contour, the total work hours changes
while the duration remains at 10 days.