How to estimate Allocation Time for project less than 8hrs a day

[BastCat]

I've set up a template for projects. Project Managers(PM) will enter in the estimated dates, tell me when they've finished, and I take a snap-shop (Baseline).

My problem is that each PM has several project and will work on each anywhere from 10 to .5 hours a week. MS Project is set up to automatically assume they will work 8hrs a day, 40 days a week. How do I Allocate Time when it's so random? I need an accurate as possible comparison between the baseline time and actual time.

I'd also like to know if there is a way with Project Web, that Actual Hours can be entered instead of choosing percent done.

 

[JulieInMaine]

You can have project calculate the assignment units based upon estimated duration and work. Create the task and assign the resources. Project will assign at maximum units. Set the task to Fixed Work and enter the estimated duration. Project will spread the work across the duration and recalculate assignment units.

To the best of my knowledge, the tracking method using Project Server is set server wide.

See:

http://projectserverexperts.com/ProjectServerFAQKnowledgeBase/trackingmethods.aspx

 

[BastCat]

When ever I put in estimated duration, it assumes that it's going to be at 8hrs a day. In reality, it can be 1hr on Monday, 0hrs on Tues & Weds, then 2hrs on Thurs, and so forth.

 

[JulieInMaine]

Did you try what I suggested? Setting the task as fixed work and then modifying the duration will spread the work evenly across the duration.

So, if you think the work is 10 hours spread over a week, Project will spread the work at 2 hours per day across the 5 days.

It as an estimate of how the work will be spread. Then after saving a baseline, you can still enter the actual work as 1 hour on Monday 2 on Thursday, etc.