Timesheet configuration

[Nab]

Is there anyway I can configure MS Project 2007 to send approval request to
multiple project manager? That is, If the resource is working on different
projects and each project have different project manager. s/he needs to fill
the timesheet with number of tasks. To approve their timesheet is it possible
to set the approval process based on the project?

e.g John working on “X†project under Project Manager “ABCâ€, and he also
work on project “Y†supervised by PM “XYZâ€. For all hours he worked on tasks
for project X need approval by PM “ABCâ€, whereas all the hours worked for
Project “Y†need approval from “XYZâ€. Current system allows us to assign each
resource with 1 timesheet supervisor and that does not serve the purpose.

Please suggest any tip or idea how to comply with this requirement. I
appreciate your time and effort.

 

[NZ Projects]

Get the users to Import timesheet data into their 'My Tasks'. The associated
task updates will go through to the respective PM for approval into the
schedule. Unfortunatley, you cannot assign multiple TS managers based on the
project.

 

[Dale Howard [MVP]]

Nab --

You are confusing the approval of Timesheet information with approval of
task progress. People such as resource managers approve Timesheets for the
resources that report to them. These Timesheets must include ALL time
worked by a resource on both project and non-project work. Your project
managers must approve and update progress submitted by team members from the
My Tasks page, as these updates impact the Microsoft Project plan. Hope
this helps.

 

[Jonathan H]

Hi,

This thread got me thinking...

As a PM in the old 2003 days I approved Timesheets. I'd often reject a task
because I knew a developer had not really spent that amount of time on a
project and that actually it was because they (and the team leader) couldn't
be bothered to set-up tasks for what they were really doing.
Now, I accept this is an education/training issue, but we know it will
continue to happen. People will hide work in exisiting projects for a
variety of reasons.

Now, in 2007, as a PM I can reject their Tasks, but not their Timesheets.
What happens if I reject a Task - is that represented in their timesheet?
Or, do they end up with the two out of sync as the timesheet remains approved
and they end up just altering the My Tasks?
This would surely lead to (albeit small) discrepencies in the culmulative
project cost between the Reporting database and the Published Projects
database??

That's really got me curious now. Hope someon can help.

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[/pd]

Jonathan

thats an interesting thought.. lets hold on it.. for the time being we are
facing the deliemma too.

1) What happens when the Users enters /changes time on the TimeSheet and
submits to resource manager ?
2) How do PM ensure that EndofMonth accured time maps into (more or less
accurately,) the Number of Hrs spent on task/assignment /Project.

However, PM are responsible for Project Billing too. So this makes the case
easier, Folio Analyzer cube data vs TimeSheet Cube data can quickly be
reviewed to see for discrepencies at the user level and upto a project
level. At the end of the month, inovice needs to be cut with sustainable
collateral..

I wish that timesheets NO Option for the user to add lines. PERIOD. But,
this is not the case, I have not fogured out a way stop users doing that
(other then educationally !!)

/pd

 

[Nab]

Thanks, Yes i think you are right, its working that way. I am investigating
more if i have further question will ask again.

 

[Nab]

Hi Dale


Thanks, I understand your point here, but this is exactly what we are trying
to do. We don’t have resource manager; hence the timesheets need to be
approved by each project manager. Each resource is working on multiple
projects, hence the project timesheet and project tasks both comes under the
responsibility for the project manager. So the visibility of timesheet
approver (in MS project case one resource manager) is limited as he only
knows about the project he is responsible for.
I hope that make sense.

In this situation I believe the solution by NZ Projects is feasible. I am
thinking of setting up program manager to approve the timesheet for
individual and the task update need to be approved by project manager. At
this stage I am not sure if this is going to work but I might have answer in
next meeting. Any comments or thoughts on that?

 

[Sree]

Dale,

I have a requirement which is a little different.

Let’s say I have a project with multiple modules and each module is managed
by a lead. I am the Project Manager and have published the schedule on
project server.

Now, one of the resource working on a module needs to do some additional
task (an unscheduled task). So the resource will create a new task using
project web access by providing all required details. The task then comes
to me that is Project Manager for approval. Once I approve, it gets in
Project Server (schedule).

I would require this approval go to the respective lead instead of coming to
the Project Manager. Is there a way we can configure the Project Server to
accomplish this?

Many Thanks,
Sree

 

[ProjmanZA]

Dale,

I have a requirement which is a little different.

Let’s say I have a project with multiple modules and each module is managed
by a lead.   I am the Project Manager and have published the schedule on
project server.  

Now, one of the resource working on a module needs to do some additional
task (an unscheduled task).  So the resource will create a new task using
project web access by providing all required details.   The task then comes
to me that is Project Manager for approval.  Once I approve, it gets in
Project Server (schedule).

I would require this approval go to the respective lead instead of comingto
the Project Manager.    Is there a way we can configure the Project Server to
accomplish this?

Many Thanks,
Sree







- Show quoted text -

Hey Guys ,

There is a way that we can setup this so that the user/resource can
select the next approver.

The default behavoir of the system is to use "Fixed approval Routing"
which means a resources timesheet will always go to the Timesheet
manager specified on the users / resources property page.
The other way is to use approval routing , when the resource submits
his/hers timesheet from the comments dailog box it allows you to
select the next approver from the list, Bearing in mind that you will
have to check the permision and make sure PM's can Approve
Timesheets.

Andre

 

[ProjmanZA]

Dale,

I have a requirement which is a little different.

Let’s say I have a project with multiple modules and each module is managed
by a lead.   I am the Project Manager and have published the schedule on
project server.  

Now, one of the resource working on a module needs to do some additional
task (an unscheduled task).  So the resource will create a new task using
project web access by providing all required details.   The task then comes
to me that is Project Manager for approval.  Once I approve, it gets in
Project Server (schedule).

I would require this approval go to the respective lead instead of comingto
the Project Manager.    Is there a way we can configure the Project Server to
accomplish this?

Many Thanks,
Sree







- Show quoted text -

Sree

Nope there is not , due to the fact that your are the schedule owner
(Person whom published and saved the Project) all new tasks will
automatically come to you. Only after that task is in the schedule you
can change the status manager for that task - republish and then the
team lead will get all task updates for that task

Andre