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Resource Levelling Rules

This document discusses resource leveling in Microsoft Project. It begins by explaining that resource leveling can unexpectedly shift dates and extend schedules. However, by understanding the principles and options in Microsoft Project, resource leveling can help create realistic and accurate schedules while efficiently allocating resources and potentially accelerating schedules. Live examples will demonstrate how to determine resource needs, resolve over-allocations, and predict finish dates.

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587 views

Resource Levelling Rules

This document discusses resource leveling in Microsoft Project. It begins by explaining that resource leveling can unexpectedly shift dates and extend schedules. However, by understanding the principles and options in Microsoft Project, resource leveling can help create realistic and accurate schedules while efficiently allocating resources and potentially accelerating schedules. Live examples will demonstrate how to determine resource needs, resolve over-allocations, and predict finish dates.

Uploaded by

reno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Resource Leveling with

Microsoft Project
PMI Baltimore Chapter
Aberdeen, MD
December 8, 2011

Resource Leveling with


Microsoft Project
Resource leveling with Microsoft Project can be
confusing and intimidating, often unexpectedly
shifting dates and extending a schedule, sometimes
by years. By understanding the principles and
options Microsoft Project provides to level resources
and
predict
a
schedule,
resource
leveling
ishelpfultoward realistic and accurate schedules,
efficient and reasonable resource allocations, and in
some cases even accelerating schedules. Live
examples will show how to determine the number of
resources needed, resolve resource over-allocations,
and predict finish dates.

Microsoft Project
Dynamic Scheduling Tool
Predicts completion of the project and
its activities
Based on identified tasks, durations,
dependencies, resources available

Resource Leveling helps predict


schedule based on resources assigned
and their availability

Project Scheduling Concepts


Task

The work to be done


WBS level should be to an assignment or deliverable

Summary Task

Roll-up summarization for a set of tasks (subtasks)


WBS hierarchy

Dependency (Link)

Predecessor and Successor relationships between tasks

Critical Path

Longest sequential path of activities essential to complete the


project
Determines earliest completion date

Slack or Float Time

The amount of time an activity may be delayed without affecting


the project finish date
Tasks with Zero Slack are Critical Path

Constraint

Limitation based on a required start or finish date


Overrides scheduling engine

Task Start Dates

By default, tasks are scheduled from the Project Start Date

Project Scheduling Concepts


Resource

People and equipment to do the work

Resource Pool
Pool of resources available to the project
Use real names; a name spelled two different
ways is two resources available to work

Assignment

Resource assigned to a task


Choose resources from pool, rather than typing
the name
Try to avoid multiple resources on the same task
No Resources on Summary task (unless
intending to spread to subtasks; do not place the
same resource on summary and subtask)

Project Scheduling Concepts


Overallocation
Resource assigned more work than available
time
Max Units: Total time resource could work on
the project (set in the Resource Pool)
Assignment Units: Total time resource will work
on a specific task
Calendars Project and Resource Work and
Non-Workdays, limiting resources availability

Resource Leveling
Resolves resource over- or under-allocations by
delaying or accelerating tasks; to fix peaks and
valleys
Review manually for sanity check

Project Scheduling Concepts


MS Project Data Perspectives

Current or Projected, Baseline, Actual

Start & Finish Dates, Duration, Work, Cost

Duration Formula

Duration = Work / Resources

Task Type

Fixed Duration, Work, or Units (Resources)


Effort or Resource Driven; only affects adding or
removing resources after initial assignment
2007 Default Fixed Units, Effort Driven
2010 Default Fixed Units, Not Effort Driven
Guideline:

Fixed Units if responsible for resources workload,


assignments, predicting completion
Fixed Duration if delegating to another team or vendor that
is responsible to merely deliver within a timebox; note
Duration can still change based on Actual and Remaining
Work or Duration

Common Mistakes with MS


Project

Common Mistakes with MS


Project

Benefits from Resource Leveling


Balanced resources, reducing
overallocations or overtime
Validates schedule
Predicts based on information entered
Determine dates or resources needed
Valuable as a Sanity Check: predicts
dates based on durations, links, and
resources assigned

MS Project Resource Leveling


2007 Tools, Resource Leveling
2010 Resource Tab, Level Group
Can Level by Entire Project, Selected
Tasks, or Resource, and within Date
Ranges
Level frequently, rather than waiting
until the entire schedule is done
Develop WBS modularly, by phase or
section

MS Project Resource Leveling


Honors Links and Constraints
Looks for available slack and resources
Schedules Longest Duration tasks first
Then in ID order
Options allow control over leveling
algorithm
Priority field can be used to override
and schedule tasks first

Microsoft Project 2007


Resource Leveling

Microsoft Project 2007


Resource Leveling

MS Project Resource Leveling


Demonstration

Renovation Project
Update 20 Rooms with New Televisions and
Cabinets
External vendor procures, builds units, and ships
to site
Customer pays Vendor for units separately; we
manage resources and labor cost

Customer wants installation done by 3/1, under


$100,000, with $10,000 bonus to finish 5 days early

If Shipments are late, we are not penalized


Resource Leveling will help us determine:

How long will it take with our current staff?


How many resources are needed to finish in early?
How much it cost?
When will we finish while executing

MS Project Resource Leveling

Questions?

Bill Gundrum
[email protected]
www.cvprojects.com
Online PPM solution with Microsoft Project Reader

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