Modelling training modules

[Vincent]

Hi,



I am new to MS Project so this might be a very simple question.

I have a number of training modules to organise, each comprising a different number of training days and a different number of attendees.

I guess MS Project can help me model the different options available to me (put less/more training staff on one module to prolong/reduce total training time, and see the effect in real time).

So for instance, if a particular training module requires 2 groups of people to attend a 10-hour session, I can either put 1 trainer for 2x10 hours or 2 trainers for 1x10 hours each, thus halving total training time.

How can I do that in MS Project so I can have different scenarios to show to my managers?
Thank you so much

[JulieS]

I would not attempt to track attendees in Project. The method of reducing duration by assigning more trainers is to make the task effort driven. Split the screen (View tab, check details) to show the Task Form in the lower pane. Ensure the training task is effort driven and not fixed duration (fixed units or fixed work). With an original assignment of one trainer and 20 hours of work as you assign the second trainer, the work should be split evenly between the the trainers and duration will drop.

The issue with tracking attendees, is they do not make duration drop. For them, the task is not effort driven.

I hope this helps.

[Vincent]

Thank you JulieS. It does help. One more question please...

Now, say I have 3 types of modules to teach. I don't want to wait for a module to finish before moving on to the next one. So, instead of having Module 1 start on 01/01 till 10/01, then Module 2 on 11/01 till 20/01, and Module 3 on 21/01 till 31/01, I would like to have something like that: all modules start on the same date. I attribute a number of different trainers to each of them. However, some trainers are attributed to more than one module. Can MS Project assess and track the impact of having some trainers teaching more than 1 module at a time (a trainer obviously cannot be in two classrooms simultaneously)?

Thank you so much

[JulieS]

Yes. Assuming you have set up your trainers as individual so you can track which trainer teachers which class, you can not link your classes and assign the trainers. If the same trainer is assigned to two different classes which overlap, the trainer will be overallocated and you may use the resource leveling command to move the tasks to resolve the overallocation.