Hi all- I was looking for some suggestions as to how to build an internalized timeline for a project I'm working on. I have a main timeline for client and management viewing purposes, but as a PM, I obviously have to also manage what my team is doing each day in order to meet the deliverables on the main timeline.

My team, for the most part, works on 2 projects at a time. The project i am running, as well as another. So, I have to set up each resource as only being able to work 4hrs a day. I am fine with setting up the resources work schedule for 4hrs per day (8am-12pm), but I am curious if I should also be editing the Schedule under File>Options>Schedule, under "calendar options for this project"? It shows that you can change the default start time, hours per day, hours per week, & days per month.



I have more questions in regards to utilizing resources, but it's Monday, and I'm trying to pick up where i left off on Friday with my 'testing' with Resources in Project . I'll post when I recall my other difficulties!

Thank you!
E

Are you responsible for the other project as well? If you are, an option is to keep the resource's calendars at 8 hours per day and set the resource's max units to 50%. What you are saying then is for each project you'll get 1/2 of their time.

If you decide to stay with changing the working time for the resource calendars to 4 hours per day - the question about redefining the hours per day is up to you. If you leave the "day" to 8 hours and you assign 8 hours of work to the 4 hour per day resource - the duration will show 1 day but the task will start on one day and finish the next.

If you change the definition of "day" to 4 hours - the duration will show two days. Either way, you'll need to explain the definition of "day" to your audience.

As always- I appreciate your suggestions.

Unfortunately I am not in charge of the other project. I am one of 2 Project Operations Managers. I was hired (temp to perm) based on my operations and project management background. One of the requirements was knowledge of MS Project. I knew very little but enough to get me the job. The idea was that I would be the point man for all things related to MS Project, as there intent is to migrate to the program later on down the line with the rest of the group. The other PM uses a very intricate excel document to manage her teams hours and tasks. I am teaching myself as much as possible but anything that I cannot figure out for myself or need a better explanation- or even a second set of eyes (considering I am the only one there who uses the program!), I hope to use this forum. It's very helpful and I appreciate your direct responses to questions rather than a type of 'automated response' you would get from a typical help desk. I have tried to sell them on Project Server, but we're not quite there yet . I need to successfully manage this project before I can convince them to spend several thousand on a Project Server license!

Anyhow. I also figured out its best to input each task with 'Effort driven' to have Project accurately allocate the work to the resources I assign. That was one of my other challenges I couldnt think of this morning!

I saw your location was New England. As is mine. You should come teach a class haha.

Thanks again!

I'm glad you were able to sort things out. I'd be happy to teach a class . Where in NE are you ?

The office I'm in is in Waltham, MA

Ah, yes. I know Waltham. I'm up in Portland, ME but certainly do travel to MA fairly frequently. Let me know if you have any further questions and I'd be happy to talk about teaching a class in MA anytime.

Julie

interesting. Unfortunately it would likely be on my own dime! I think I found you on LinkedIn. If you want to message me a price, I'll think about it some more but I appreciate the offer!

No worries. If and when your organization decides on Project, that would be a good time to talk about a class.