Creating an accurate schedule without sacraficing budget 1

[Jessica415]

I'm part of a PMO that is extremely new. The company I work for is unfamilar with proper PM processes. When I try to create the schedule, a resource will tell me it will take them 2 weeks to complete a task. In MS Project, 2 weeks would be calulated as 80 hours. I know the resource will not actually take 80 hours, it may take them say 6. What they mean is they will complete the task sometime within that 2 week span. So, if I enter duration as 6 hours, the schedule will be off, but the budget will be correct. If I put it in as 2 weeks, the schedule will be correct but the budget will be inflated. Any tips on how to enter the info into MS Project as accurate as possible?

 

[JulieInMaine]

Hello Jessica414,
What you are describing is a 2 week duration task with 6 hours of work. Create the task and set the 2 week duration. Split your screen (View tab - Click Details - should default to Task Form). In the Task Form change the task type to Fixed Duration. Click OK in the task form. Now assign the resource and enter 6hours of work. When you click on OK in the task form, Project will spread the 6 hours of work out over the 10 days. You can view the spread of work in the Task Usage or resource usage view.

You budget is calculated on work * standard rate - which will be correct. The dates are calculated based upon duration.

I hope this helps.
Julie