Managing Multiple Projects 1

[Robertpoddar]

Hi,

I am using MS Project 2007 standrard version for planning and tracking the projects.
Currently i am tasked to handle 3 critical projects at the same time. The resources for these projects are more-or-less the same.
Today, i am trying to use the Master Project Plan option, but have a few queries:
1. How can i track the resource load across the projects? Currently the resource usage sheet only shows the resources work for the 1srt project that is embedded in the plan.
2. If there's a slippage in one project, then how can i know whether the other projects are affected?


thanks and regards
Robert

 

[JulieInMaine]

Hi Robert,

Do the 3 projects all use the same resources? If so, the better answer would be to create a resource pool and allow the pool to consolidate the work for the resource across the multiple projects.

See:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/p...ources-using-a-resource-pool-HA010214871.aspx

for information about creating the pool file.

Once you have created the pool, you can use the pool to create the master project.

Regarding your question about slippage in one project - you can create cross project links where a task in one project can be the predecessor to tasks in another project. You can create the relationships in the master project.

I hope this helps.
Julie

 

[Robertpoddar]

Hi Julie,

Yes, it is the same resource across the 3 projects. Since i have already started tracking these projects, where in 1 of them, the project is roughly 60% complete; do you think at this point it would be "easy" to create a common resource pool (without disrupting the plan)? or would it be better that i leave it "as is" and for new projects, i could use the common resource pool concept?

thanks
Robert

 

[JulieInMaine]

It is fairly easy to create the pool file through consolidation of the three project resources. See:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/p...ources-across-projects-HP045303641.aspx?CTT=1

for step-by-step

 

[Malforso]

Robert, I would recommend that you do not link tasks via dependencies between the projects unless you are completely happy with it. You wlll see effects of spillage via the resource usage and any periods where rescource are over allocated. It means more manual management but you will be able to control you schedule that way.

If you have tried the links between projects then that is fine, but I have seen people get in a confused and unmanagable position using that technique

 

[Robertpoddar]

Hi Julie,

Thanks for the info.

Hi Malforso,
I tend agree with you, as i have never linked between projects and don't want to disrupt MPP, else it would be tediuos to undo everything. Currently, i am looking as the Resource Usgae View to check if any resource is overallocated, but i am not sure whether in this view, i would also get to know whether there is a clash betwen projects for the same resource.

thanks
Robert.

 

[JulieInMaine]

You're welcome, Robert. Regarding your most recent question - if you have created the resource pool file, you can view resource utilization across all projects sharing from the pool. If the resources are not consolidated - no as Project will treat each "Robert" in the inserted files as a separate resource. If you have created the pool - add the "Project" field to the Resource Usage view to view which project file the assignment is from.