Using Resource-Driven

Scheduling
Choosing a Scheduling
Method

Scheduling
Methods

If you want the

You
duration
can select
and athe
scheduling
start and finish
methodeither
dates of a resource-driven
task to be determined
or fixed-duration
by resource scheduling
assignments, use
resource-driven
scheduling.
scheduling, the task
for tasks
individually,
in groups,With
or forresource-driven
the entire project.
duration is based on the amount of work and the number of units of each resource assigned to
Use resource-driven scheduling when the resources assigned determine the start and finish
a task. Resource calendars help determine the start and finish dates for the task.
dates for a task and how long a task lasts. For example, suppose the "Load truck" task has
two movers
assigned.
Withscheduling
resource-driven
scheduling,
if you how
assign
another mover,
With Microsoft Project,
you can
use flexible
techniques
to determine
long
Microsoftand
Project
shortensmodel
the task
duration.
tasks will take to complete
to accurately
how
resources work on tasks. The more
Note
specify
how many
per
day or work,
hours per more
weeksolid
you want
Microsoft
Project
clearly
youYou
cancan
depict
thefixed-duration
details
abouthours
how
resources
are
your
overall
Select
scheduling
and type athe
task duration
if you
know
the duration of a task and
to use
when projections.
it converts from one time period to another. To do this, choose the Preferences
project
schedule
want it to remain unchanged. For example, you may know that it takes two days to drive a
command from the Options menu, and type the number for the Default Hours/Day or Default
truckload of office
furniture
1000 when
miles.you
No want
mattera task
how duration
many people
assign to make the
You Hours/Week
can use the resource-driven
scheduling
method
to beyou
based
option.
trip, the
task duration
In this case, using
fixed-duration
on the work performed
by resources.
Or,remains
you cantwo
use days.
the fixed-duration
scheduling
method toscheduling ensures
that
your task
sameWith
regardless
of the resource
assignments
enter a specific task
duration
not duration
based onremains
resourcethe
work.
either scheduling
method,
three you make.
theimportant:
"Build chimney"
task
in theand
following
illustration,
you've
onetakes
bricklayer
to
fieldsInare
Duration,
Work,
Units. Duration
shows
howassigned
long a task
to
work aWork
totalshows
ofYou
24 hours.
Since
the
task
uses
resource-driven
scheduling,
which
means
that
theor Task Edit
complete.
the
total
effort
to
complete
a
task.
Units
is
the
number
or
amount
of
a
can change the scheduling method for an individual task on the Task Form
Fixedyou
check
box
Microsoft
Project
the
task duration
by On
dividing
the total
resource
assign
toisacleared,
task, such
as
carpenters
or onethe
engineer.
Form
dialog
box
bythree
selecting
or calculates
clearing
Fixed
check box.
any view
with a task table,
work by the number
unitsyou
youcan
assigned.
this example,
the the
taskFixed
duration
is To
three
such asoftheresource
Task Sheet,
apply aIntable
that includes
field.
use resource8-hour days, or
24
hours.
driven scheduling,
type
or selectyou
Noassign
in the "drive"
Fixed field;
to use
fixed-duration
scheduling, type
Resource-driven scheduling
means that
resources
the task
duration,
the
orstart
select
The scheduled
and
finish datesfinish
for this
task
aremore
determined
byyou
the availability
of thethe
scheduled
start date,
and
theYes.
scheduled
date.
The
resources
assign to a task,
bricklayer.
specify
a
resource's
availability
with
calendars.
sooner
that task You
finishes.
The
start
and
finish
dates
for
the
task
are
affected
by
when
the
You can change the default scheduling method from resource-driven to fixed-duration
resources can work.
scheduling by choosing the Preferences command from the Options menu and changing the
Default Duration
Typeduration
option to
Fixed.
youduration
change the
Default
Duration Type option to
Fixed-duration scheduling
uses the task
you
enter.IfThe
stays
the same
tasks you
thereafter
fixed-duration
rather
resource-driven scheduling
whether or not youFixed,
assignall
resources
toenter
that task.
If youuse
know
a task always
takesthan
a certain
the initial
setting.
amount of time noas
matter
how many
resources you assign, you use fixed duration scheduling.
The fastest way to change the scheduling method for a group of tasks is to select those tasks on
view with
a task
table
such as the
Task
Sheeteffort
or Gantt
Then
click the form button on the
You can also enteraovertime
work
when
a resource
puts
in extra
that Chart.
does not
affect
toolyou
bar can
or choose
command
from
the Edit
menu.
To useyou
resource-driven scheduling,
the task duration, and
divide the
the Form
total work
among
all units
of the
resources
assign to a task. clear the Fixed check box; to use fixed-duration scheduling, select the Fixed check box. If you
have added the Fixed field to a task table, the fastest way to change the scheduling method for a
group of tasks is to use the Fill Down command on the Edit menu.
This topic explains
Choosing a scheduling method

Specifying overtime work

Using resource-driven scheduling

Dividing the work among resource

Using fixed-duration scheduling

Changing the schedule

assignments

For information about

See

Assigning resources to tasks

Assigning Resources

Defining project, base, and resource

Calendars

calendars
Checking resource usage

Resource Graph
Resource Usage View

Resolving resource conflicts

Leveling Resources

The task duration equals the largest work divided by the resource units. In this case, the task
duration equals three days or 24 hours.

B Microsoft Project uses resource-driven scheduling since the Fixed check box is cleared.
C To see the resource schedule fields at the bottom of the Task Form, choose the Resource
Schedule command from the Format menu.
D Units is the number of units of a resource assigned to the task. In this case. you assigned one
bricklayer.
E

Work is the total amount of work to be done by all the units of a resource you assign. In this
case, 24 hours is the total work required to build the chimney.

The scheduled start date for the "Build chimney" task is determined by the earliest
scheduled start date for the assigned resources, in this case, the bricklayers.

G The scheduled finish date for the "Build chimney" task is determined by the latest scheduled
finish date for the assigned resources, in this case, the bricklayers.

If you
assigncan
another
to of
thea task,
Project
recalculates
the also
More than one
resource
drive bricklayer
the duration
task. Microsoft
Suppose the
"Build
chimney' task
duration, which
using the
work and
units assigned.
requires scaffolding,
the total
bricklayers
usethe
throughout
this task. As shown in the following
illustration, you assign scaffolding to the task as one unit with work of 12 hours. Both the
bricklayers and the scaffolding now drive the duration, start date, and finish date of the "Build
chimney" task.

A To assign another bricklayer to this task, increase the units to two.

B The total work required to build the chimney remains the same.
C The task duration becomes 1.5 days or 12 hours, which is calculated by dividing the
24 hours of total work between the two bricklayers.
A The bricklayers drive the task duration of the "Build chimney'? task since their work per
resource that has the most work per unit determines, or drives, the task duration. For
unit is 12The
hours.
example,resource
the "Build
one
build a frame
for the chimney.
B The scaffolding
alsochimney"
drives thetask
taskrequires
duration
of carpenter
the "Buildtochimney"
task since
The
carpenter
has
two
hours
of
work
on
the
"Build
chimney"
task,
or
two
hours
per unit. Since
its work per unit is also 12 hours.
the bricklayers have 12 hours of work per unit, the brick-layers drive the duration, as they did
in the precedingscheduling
illustration.
To specify resource-driven
for a task, be sure the Fixed check box on the Task Form
or Task Edit Form dialog box is cleared. You can also specify resource-driven scheduling by
typing or selecting No in the Fixed field, which can be added to any view with a task table, such
as the Task Sheet or Gantt Chart.
You do not need to enter a task duration with resource-driven scheduling since Microsoft
Project calculates it for you based on work and units. However, you can enter a task duration if
you have a rough estimate of how long a task will take. Microsoft Project calculates work
values based on this duration estimate. Whenever the duration estimates are correct, you save
entry time since you won't need to change the work for resource assignments that Microsoft
Project has calculated for you.
A The bricklayers drive the task duration of the "Build chimney" task since their work per unit
is 12hours.
B The carpenter's 2 hours of work per unit does not drive the task duration.

For tasks with resource-driven schedules, Microsoft Project uses the resource calendars for the
assigneditresources
when
the tasks.
For information
aboutnodefining
For example, suppose
takes three
daysscheduling
for the "Review
product
literature" task,
matter resource and
project
seewould
the "Calendars"
topic. scheduling for this task.
how many people
youcalendars,
assign. You
use fixed-duration

To choose resource-driven scheduling for a task

1

From the View menu, choose Task Form.

Select a task that will use resource-driven scheduling. Unless you've specified
otherwise, Microsoft Project uses resource-driven scheduling as the default

4 En zineers

scheduling method
for tasks.
48h
3 To select resource-driven scheduling, clear the Fixed check box.

A Type a taskTo
name
on the Task
Form.
choose
resource-driven
scheduling for more than one task
B Type the task
the that
Taskcontains
Form. With
fixed-duration
Microsoft Project
1 duration
Choose aon
view
a task
table such as scheduling,
the Task Sheet.
uses exactly what you type.
2
Select the tasks that will use resource-driven scheduling.
C Select the 3Fixed
check
indicate
the the
"Review
literature"
fixedClick
thebox
formtobutton
or that
choose
Form product
command
from thetask
Edituses
menu.
duration scheduling.
4
To select resource-driven scheduling, clear the Fixed check box.
D Assign two engineers to the task. The number of units assigned does not affect the task
5
Choose
OK
button.
duration since
the taskthe
uses
fixed-duration
scheduling. If you increase or decrease the units,
work is changed, which could affect costs. The task duration remains the same.

Using Fixed-Duration Scheduling

E The work is calculated for you as 48 hours, which is two engineers times the duration of
If you
have
a task
that24
takes
theEven
sameiflength
of time regardless
how
many
are
three 8-hour
days,
or two
times
hours.
you increase
or decreaseofthe
work
for resources
the
assigned
or
how
much
work
there
is,
use
fixed-duration
scheduling.
Once
you
select
fixedengineers, the task duration remains unchanged.
duration scheduling for a task, the task duration stays at whatever you enter.
To specify fixed-duration scheduling for a task, select the Fixed check box on the Task Form or
Task Edit Form dialog box. In a view that shows the Fixed field such as the Task Sheet, type or
select Yes in the
Fixed
field.
Note
If you
know when you start a project that the majority of tasks will use fixed duration
Tasks using fixed-duration
scheduling
are the
scheduled
the project
calendar.
select
a add tasks by
scheduling, you
can change
default using
scheduling
method.
Do thisYou
before
you
project calendar
in the Project
Information
dialog box.
the Project
dialog
choosing
the Preferences
command
fromTo
thesee
Options
menuInformation
and changing
the Default
box, choose the
Project Type
Info command
from the Options menu. For information about the
Duration
option to Fixed.
project calendar, see the "Calendars" topic.

To choose fixed-duration scheduling for a task

1

From the View menu, choose Task Form.

Select a task that will use fixed-duration scheduling.

In the Duration box, type a duration.

To select fixed-duration scheduling, select the Fixed check box.

Choose the OK button.

By changing the task duration to four days, you increase the total amount of work to be
Toallchoose
than
onehave
task
performed by
resourcesfixed-duration
driving the duration.scheduling
Resources thatfor
drivemore
the task
duration
been assigned for the full duration of a task, so when the task duration increases, their work
1
Choose a view that contains a task table such as the Task Sheet.
increases correspondingly, as shown in the following illustration. .
2
Select the tasks that will use fixed-duration scheduling.
3

Click the form button or choose Form from the Edit menu.

To select fixed-duration scheduling, select the Fixed check box.

Choose the OK button.

Changing the Schedule

A
B

C
D

After you select a scheduling method for tasks and assign resources to those tasks, you may
want to make changes. Perhaps you discover there is more work than originally estimated.
More units of a resource might become available, and by assigning extra resource units, you
could shorten a task. Maybe you need to reduce the scope of some tasks to reduce their task
durations and finish a project on time. Whatever your reason, you can make changes at any time
You change
the accurately
task duration
to four
days
or 32 hours.
to more
reflect
what
is happening
in the project.
Microsoft Project recalculates the per unit work for the bricklayers as 32 hours due to the
increase in the task duration. Since the two bricklayers have 32 hours work each, the
If you
change in
resource
assignments
scheduling methods, you can see the impact of these
total work
displayed
the Work
field is 64 or
hours.
changes on the entire project in the Project Status dialog box. To see this dialog box, click the
The work for the carpenter remains the same because the resource does not drive the
project status button ( 23 ) on the tool bar or choose the Project Status command from the
task duration.
Options menu. These changes may affect the start or finish date as well as scheduled or
Microsoft
Project work
recalculates
the per unit work for the scaffolding as 32 hours,
remaining
and cost.
which results in 32 hours of total work since one unit is assigned.

Changing
If you change
the durationaofTask
a taskDuration
using fixed-duration scheduling, Microsoft Project
recalculatesIfthe
for take
the resource
unless
you have replaced
youwork
findamount
a task will
more or assignments
less time than
you originally
expected,the
youwork
can adjust the
calculated by
Microsoft
If youthe
change
the work
that that
Microsoft
Project calculated
for
task
duration.Project.
If you adjust
duration
of a task
uses resource-driven
scheduling,
you, Microsoft
ProjectProject
does not
recalculate
it even
adjust the
Microsoft
changes
the work
for if
allyou
resources
thatduration
currentlylater.
drive the task duration.
The work for any other assigned resources remains the same.
In the "Review
product
24 hours
of work
In the
"Buildliterature"
chimney" task,
task, the
the two
threeengineers
resourcesyou
youassigned
assignedhave
include
the brick-layers,
the
each, whichcarpenter,
Microsoftand
Project
calculated for
amountand
is based
on theboth
taskdrive the task
the scaffolding.
Of you.
these,This
the work
bricklayers
scaffolding
duration you
entered.ofSuppose
now
assign
marketing
tohours
this task.
In theisWork
duration
one and you
a half
days.
Thethe
carpenter,
withmanager
only two
of work,
not assigned for
field, you type
40h duration
to show of
thatthe
thetask
manager
40 hours
on the
task.
the full
and sowill
doesspend
not drive
the task
duration.

You can change the units for a resource assignment at any time. For example, if you hire two
new bricklayers, you may want to assign four bricklayers to the "Build chimney" task rather
than just the two that were originally available.
Note Be sure you increase the maximum units for resources before assigning more units of a
resource than the maximum available. You can increase the maximum units on any resource
view, such as the Resource Form, or in the Resource Edit Form dialog box. If you don't increase
the maximum units in the Max Units box or field first, Microsoft Project tells you that you need
to level the resource.
A The "Review product literature" task has a duration of three days.
WhenBusing
youyou
change
of fixed-duration
units, Microsoft
Theresource-driven
Fixed check boxscheduling,
is selected,and
telling
that the
thisnumber
task uses
scheduling.
Project recalculates the work per unit for the bricklayers by dividing the total work of 64
The marketing
manager has
40 hours
on thisortask.
the task
fixedhoursCamong
the four bricklayers,
which
resultsofinwork
16 hours,
two Since
days. You
alsouses
increase
scheduling,tothis
of work
hasbricklayers
not increased
thescaffolding.
task duration as it would
the units duration
for the scaffolding
twoamount
since each
pair of
needs
have for a task using resource-driven scheduling.
By changing the task duration to six days, you increase the total amount of work to be
performed by the engineers. Unless you change their work directly, the engineers are
automatically assigned for the full duration of a task. When the task duration increases, their
work increases correspondingly as illustrated. The marketing manager's work remains the same
since it was typed in the Work field and is therefore not tied to the task duration.

A Enter the change of units for the bricklayers and the scaffolding.
B When you make this change to units, both the bricklayers and scaffolding again drive
the task duration since they have the same work per unit16 hours.
C When you shorten the task duration by changing the units, the scheduled start and finish
dates also change to reflect the shorter amount of work. In this example, the task start
and finish dates are now two days apart instead of four days. These are determined by the
earliest start date and latest finish date of the assigned resources.
A You change the duration for the "Review product literature" task to six days.
Earlier in this example, you assigned one carpenter for two hours of work. The carpenter
B Microsoft Project calculates the work per unit for the two engineers as six days or
does not drive the task duration. If you change the units to two carpenters, their work per
48 hours each, and updates the Work field to show the total work of 96 hours, or two
unit becomes
timestwo
48. divided by two, or one hour, and their scheduled start and finish dates
change. The change does not make the carpenter's work per unit larger than the other
C The
work you
entered
for the marketing
stays the same.
assigned
resources,
so the
task duration
remains atmanager
two days.

Changing the Resource Units

When you change the units of a resource you've assigned, Microsoft Project changes the
If a for
taska requires
more
or fewer unitsscheduling
of a resource
than you originally planned, you can change
duration
task using
resource-driven
as follows.
the units. Perhaps you hire more resources to make a project finish sooner. Maybe you discover
there is more work to be performed and need to assign more resources just to keep the project
on schedule.

Schedul
ing
Method
youchange
change
Andthe
thetask
units
The task
duration
WhenIfyou
the the
unitsunits
after for
you type
duration, Microsoft Project
changes
the s
work
to equal
the new
units times
the previous
work per unit for this resource,Changes
unless you
changed
A single
resource
driving
Increase
to the
largest
the work
that
Microsoft
Project
calculated.
If
you
have
changed
the
work,
Microsoft
the duration
work per unitProject
of the
does not recalculate work when you change units.
resources assigned
Decrease
Changes to the work per
Changing the Work
unit of this resource
If youOne
findofthat
there isresources
more or less work
for a resource assignment thanDoes
you not
initially
multiple
Increase
change since
estimated or than Microsoft Project calculated, you can change the work.
driving the duration
other resources drive the
In the "Build chimney" task, the bricklayers and scaffolding drive the task
taskduration
durationof two days
with work per unit of 16 hours. The carpenters
do
not
drive
the
task
duration.
Decrease
Changes to the work per
A resource not driving the
task duration

Increase

Decrease

unit of this resource

Does not change since
other resources drive the
task duration
Changes to the largest
work per unit of the
resources assigned

A The
task"Review
durationproduct
of two literature"
days equalstask,
the which
bricklayers'
and scaffolding's
work pertwo
unit of 16
In the
uses fixed-duration
scheduling,
hours,
or
two
days.
engineers are assigned for 96 hours of work, and the task duration is six days.
You the
mayscaffolding
want to decrease
the units
a task.
Forcarpenters
instance, you
to
Suppose
is unavailable
forassigned
this task,toso
the two
mustmight
builddecide
two new
reassign and
a resource
to another task.
decrease
the engineer's
units
one you
on the
"Review
scaffoldings,
then disassemble
them If
at you
the end.
To show
this increase
in to
work,
change
product literature"
task,
recalculates
work
leaves
the task duration
the carpenters'
work from
2 toMicrosoft
40 hours.Project
This change
you'vethe
made
to but
work
also changes
the
unchanged
since
areduration.
using fixed-duration
scheduling.
work is calculated
resource
that drives
theyou
task
The carpenters
now driveThe
the new
task duration,
since the by
multiplying
one unit
engineer
duration.
carpenters'
work per
is 20 times
hours,the
or two
and a half days.

A Change the engineers' assignment from two units to one.

B Microsoft Project recalculates the work since you haven't entered a specific work amount.
Until you enter work, it is calculated for you.
C The marketing manager's work doesn't change since you typed it directly.
D The task duration remains the same since this task uses fixed-duration scheduling.

Changing the Scheduling Method

You can change a task from using one scheduling method to anotherfrom resource-driven to
fixed-duration scheduling and vice versa. You would change the scheduling method if the
strategy for performing work on a task changes, which happens rarely. When you do this,
Microsoft Project recalculates the schedule using the new scheduling method.
For example, if you change a task from resource-driven to fixed-duration scheduling,
Microsoft Project leaves the task duration as it was before you selected the Fixed check box.
A The
task duration
is the
recalculated
for you
this task,
since
The task
duration
now stays
same unless
change
it. it uses resource-driven scheduling
and the greatest work per unit for a resource assignment is now two and a half days.
If you change a task from fixed-duration to resource-driven scheduling, Microsoft Project
B The bricklayers with work per unit of 16 hours no longer drive the task duration.
recalculates the task duration based on the existing resource assignment information. The
C The carpenters
work of assignment's
40 hours nowwork
driveper
theunit
taskwarrants
durationit.with
work per unit of
task duration
changes if with
the resource
Thereafter,
20 hours, or two and a half days.
the task behaves like any other task using resource-driven scheduling.
When you change the work shown for a resource assigned to a task using resource-driven
scheduling, Microsoft Project changes the task duration as follows:

Specifying
Work
If you changeOvertime
work for
And the work

The task duration

Sometimes finishing a task on time requires

certain resources to work overtime.
Increases
IncreasesWhen
to theawork per
A single resource driving
resource performs extra work to help keep a task on schedule, you can specify it in one of two
the duration
unit of this resource
ways. You can enter overtime in the Ovt. Work field for the resource assignment, or you can
adjust the individual workdays for the Decreases
resource in the resource calendar.Changes to the largest
work per unit of the
resources assigned
Increases
Changes to the work per
Entering
Overtime
Work
One of multiple resources
unit of
thisfor
resource
driving
the you
duration
Overtime
work
enter in the Ovt. Work field is subtracted from the total
work
the
Decreases
Does shorten
not change
since
resource assignment. For a task using resource-driven
scheduling, this could
the task
resources
duration. Costs for this overtime work are incurred at the overtime rate other
specified
for thedrive the
resource.
task duration
Increases
Changes to the largest
To see
the Ovt. Work
field on
A resource
not driving
thethe Task Form, choose the Resource Work command from the
Format
menu.
To
see
the
Ovt.
Work
field
on
the
Resource
Form,
choose
the Work
command
work
per unit
of the
task duration
from the Format menu. The Ovt. Work field appears at the bottom of theresources
Task Form
or
assigned
Resource Form. In this field, you enter the total amount of overtime work the resource
Decreases
Does not change since
performs on the task.
other resources drive the
task duration
For a task using fixed-duration scheduling, Microsoft Project never changes the
duration when you change the work. Costs, however, may be affected.

The following
illustrations
show
how overtime
entered in
Ovt.
field
affects
Microsoft
Project
the task
work
on thework
total
number
of the
units
youWork
assign
in all
the
Adjusting
thedivides
Workdays
in abased
Resource
Calendar
the
task
duration.
resource assignments. For example, if Dave can work only half of each workday on the "Paint
When you enter
by adjusting
is scheduled,
lunchroom"
task, overtime
his units are
0.5; Sam the
can resource
work fullcalendar,
time, so the
his work
units are
1. Enteringaffecting
task work
schedule.
Coststhe
forwork
this overtime
work aredifferently
incurred at
the standard
rate.assigned.
ofthe30task
hours
now causes
to be distributed
based
on the units
Always enter the total work for a task after you enter the units because Microsoft Project
recalculates
work division
whenworks
you enter
the total
entering
work
Suppose thethe
construction
foreman
a 10-hour
daywork.
each After
Monday.
Whenthe
hetotal
works
twoof 30
hours,
the
work
is
divided
between
Sam
and
Dave.
as
shown
in
the
following
illustration.
hours longer on Mondays, he is working overtime. However, the foreman's "overtime" work is
more appropriately entered by changing the resource calendar rather than by showing overtime
A each
Sam resource
and Daveassignment
are both assigned
to the "Paint lunchroom" task full time.
work for
because:
B Each resource has 24 hours of work, based on the three-day duration you
Note
workentering
takes for
place
for
allduration
of the work
fields,
planned
A This
Before
the
task
is one
and
aincluding
half
dayswork,
12need
hours,
The
foreman
isdivision
paid
a overtime,
salary
and
doesn't
receive
overtime
pay,
so there
isorno
to based
incur on
originally
estimated
the
task.
work,
work,
work.
the
per
unitand
foractual
the
24 divided by 2.
theremaining
costwork
of overtime
work
at bricklayers,
the
overtimeorrate.
Suppose
you
enter works
the total work
for the
task in theso
Work
field on the
Taskreflect
Sheet.the
To extra
see the
TheThe
foreman
regularly
amount
of overtime,
the of
schedule
should
two bricklayers
plan onthis
working
a total
of eight hours
overtime,
or four extra
hours
Workoffield,
you apply
the Work
table
when the Task
Sheet is active.
Entering
total
work
for
hours
availability.
In
tasks
using
resource-driven
scheduling,
the
task
schedule
might
each. The overtime work won't be scheduled, since the bricklayers will perform the workbe
the
task
changes
the
work
for
the
two
resources,
as
shown
in
the
following
illustration.
Any
changed
as a scheduled
result of the
foreman's
extra effort.
outside their
workday
as specified
in their resource calendar. Since costs for this
previous work amount is changed to 15 hours when 30 hours is entered in the Work field for
overtime work should be incurred at their overtime rate the overtime work is entered in the
this task. about setting or changing a resource calendar, see the "Calendars" topic.
For information
Ovt. Work field
as shown in the following illustration .

Dividing the Work Among Resource Assignments

You can enter a total amount of work for a task and have Microsoft Project divide the work
equally among the resource units assigned to it. You can do this with either resource-driven or
fixed-duration scheduling. This technique is most effective when you know the total work for
a task and you can partition the task equitably among workers.
For A
example,
painters
willfor
work
together on is
thetyped
"Paint
task.
Both
The 8 suppose
hours oftwo
overtime
work
the bricklayers
in lunchroom"
the Ovt. Work
field
on use
the Task
the sameForm
equipmentpaint
and aWork
laddercommand
eachand
canthe
be Format
expected
to work
the
after choosing sprayers
the Resource
from
menu.
Theatovertime
same level.
resources are
assigned
values
forthe
units
work. is calculated.
workThe
is subtracted
from
the totalusing
workthe
of default
24 hours
before
taskand
duration
B The task duration is now one day, or 8 hours, calculated by dividing the standard work of 16
hours by the two bricklayers. The overtime work shortens the task from one and a half days
to one
Note The
two day.
painters could have been entered as a single painter resource with maximum
A
Sam's
units
are 1, which
works
100 percent
of each
units of two. However,
since means
they arehepaid
different
standard
rates,workday.
they are entered by name as
You can
type the overtime rate in the Ovt Rate box on the Resource Form or in the Resource
individual
resources.
B Dave's units are 0.5, which means he works 50 percent of each workday.
Edit Form dialog box. For information about how the cost for overtime work is incurred at
overtime
thefield
"Costs"
topic.
C Type
30h rates,
in the see
Work
on the
Task Sheet so that Microsoft Project
will recalculate the work division.
D Because
twice
as many
specified
Samofaswork
for Dave,
when
A After
applying
theunits
Workare
table,
the 30for
hours
is typed
in the Work field for the task.
the task work is entered and Sam's work is recalculated, Sam performs
B
Sam's
work
has
changed
from
24
hours
to
half
the
total
work
for the task, or 15 hours.
twice as much work as Dave, or 20 hours.
Dave's work has also changed from 24 hours to half of the 30 hours total work, or 15 hours.
E After the task work is entered. Dave's work is calculated as 10 hours.