Forum Discussion
Limiting Resources
I have a project that has two types of resources. One can provide 100% effort to the project (Resource A), and another only 80% (Resource B). I am setting the work effort, and trying to ensure that the durations are appropriate.
For example, an 80-hr task for Resource A should take 2wks, but the same task for Resource B should take 2.67wks based on the availability. I've tried setting various calendars (such as a 7hr day for Resource B), and availabilities in the resource tabs, but I'm guessing I'm doing those wrong as no matter what the duration remains at 2wks.
Appreciate any help!
Gordon --
Navigate to the Resource Sheet view and set the Max. Units value to 80% for Resource B. Apply the Gantt Chart view, and select the task to which want to assign Resource B. Right-click in the white or gray part of the Gantt Chart screen and select the Show Split item on the shortcut menu. In the bottom pane (Task Form pane), select Resource B, set the Units value for that resource to 80%, and then enter 80 hours in the Work field. In the Task Form pane, click the OK button. Bingo. You should now see a Duration of 12.5 days, which is the 2.5 weeks that you should expect (your 2.67 Duration is incorrect, BTW). Hope this helps.
Gordon --
Navigate to the Resource Sheet view and set the Max. Units value to 80% for Resource B. Apply the Gantt Chart view, and select the task to which want to assign Resource B. Right-click in the white or gray part of the Gantt Chart screen and select the Show Split item on the shortcut menu. In the bottom pane (Task Form pane), select Resource B, set the Units value for that resource to 80%, and then enter 80 hours in the Work field. In the Task Form pane, click the OK button. Bingo. You should now see a Duration of 12.5 days, which is the 2.5 weeks that you should expect (your 2.67 Duration is incorrect, BTW). Hope this helps.
Thank you so much, I knew it was something simple!
On a related note, I'm seeing another situation. In this project, I have Resource B (at 80% overall) doing a task. Midway through this task, Resource B has to be double allocated within the project. That means that for the part when Resource B is working on the main task, all of his 80% is on the task. However, when the secondary task kicks in, B's available time will be split, which will impact the durations (Task 1 will now take a bit longer in duration due to the overlap). How can I set that in play?
Task 1: 80% | 80% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 80% | 80%
Task 2: | 0 | 40% | 40% | 40% | 0 | 0
Gordon --
Good follow up question! Navigate to the Resource Usage view, locate the resource in question, and then scroll the timephased grid (timesheet-like grid on the right side of the view) to the time periods during which the tasks overlap for that resource. During the overlapping time periods, manually enter 3.2 hours of Work in the timephased grid for both Task 1 and Task 2. 3.2 hours of Work, by the way, represents 40% of a standard 8-hour working day. Hope this helps.
Makes sense, but something seems off on my end...
I set the Max Units to 80% per your original advice, and the duration shows as 2.5 weeks, matching expectations
Looking at the Resource Usage, however, things get confusing. Looking at the sole-focus 80hr task, it runs for (14) 5.6hr days + (1) 1.6hr day. I'm not sure if its a workweek vs calendar week thing, but I'd missed this in the Gannt chart view.
My question is where might the 5.6hr come from? We should get getting a 6.4hr day, yes?
Never mind. Found it. In my attempts to work out the original problem, I'd created a reduced hours calendar that was still in the works. That compounded the reduction, resulting in the 5.6hrs.
