R
Randy
When should one use leveling in a project?
D
Dale Howard [MVP]
Randy --
You should level overallocated resources when the degree of overallocation
is likely to cause your project's Finish date to slip. For example, if you
have a resource assigned to perform 40 hours of Work in a single one-day
time period, this overallocation will result in date slippage on that task,
and all other dependent tasks.
Not all overallocations are worth leveling, by the way. For example, any
overallocation occuring in one-day time periods during which the resource is
assigned to 8 hours of work OR LESS each day is not worth leveling. Nor is
an overalloation occuring during one-week time periods during which the
resource is assigned to 40 hours of work OR LESS each week is not worth
leveling either. Just a few thoughts. Hope this helps.
You should level overallocated resources when the degree of overallocation
is likely to cause your project's Finish date to slip. For example, if you
have a resource assigned to perform 40 hours of Work in a single one-day
time period, this overallocation will result in date slippage on that task,
and all other dependent tasks.
Not all overallocations are worth leveling, by the way. For example, any
overallocation occuring in one-day time periods during which the resource is
assigned to 8 hours of work OR LESS each day is not worth leveling. Nor is
an overalloation occuring during one-week time periods during which the
resource is assigned to 40 hours of work OR LESS each week is not worth
leveling either. Just a few thoughts. Hope this helps.
M
Marc Soester
Well Randy that is almost a philosophical question 
When you do Leveling, you ensure that your resources are not overallocated.
The leveling process looks at the availablility of a resource and the
allocated time for the resource , and spreads the allocated time so that the
resource is not overallocated or has no unwanted gaps within a Project ( or
organisation, should you use Project Server ).
Leveling is a great tool, but can also be "a beast" if you dont know what
you are doing. The result of leveling can be influenced by many differnt
settings starting from Consrtain settings, calendar settings through to task
priority settings.
When I started with leveling I was simply "playing" with it and trying out
different things. One tip I can give you, dont use automated leveling, use
manual leveling. It gives you better control over what has happenend.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions in regards to
leveling. I know that it can look overwhelming when you start with it
Hope this helps
When you do Leveling, you ensure that your resources are not overallocated.
The leveling process looks at the availablility of a resource and the
allocated time for the resource , and spreads the allocated time so that the
resource is not overallocated or has no unwanted gaps within a Project ( or
organisation, should you use Project Server ).
Leveling is a great tool, but can also be "a beast" if you dont know what
you are doing. The result of leveling can be influenced by many differnt
settings starting from Consrtain settings, calendar settings through to task
priority settings.
When I started with leveling I was simply "playing" with it and trying out
different things. One tip I can give you, dont use automated leveling, use
manual leveling. It gives you better control over what has happenend.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions in regards to
leveling. I know that it can look overwhelming when you start with it
Hope this helps
M
Marc Soester
Sorry Randy, I think I actually didnt answer your question.
You should ( or can ) use Leveling if you want to ensure that your resource
within a project have an "optimal" allocation. Please note, it is an engine
with an algorithm that does great calculations, but it doesnt use "common
sense" ( since it is a computer right ) You should always re-visit your
project schedule after leveling and ensure that you are happy with it.
Hope this helps ( and answers your question )
You should ( or can ) use Leveling if you want to ensure that your resource
within a project have an "optimal" allocation. Please note, it is an engine
with an algorithm that does great calculations, but it doesnt use "common
sense" ( since it is a computer right
) You should always re-visit yourproject schedule after leveling and ensure that you are happy with it.
Hope this helps ( and answers your question )
R
Randy
Thank you for all your help. Now I have a better understanding.
-Randy
-Randy