Resource usage graph 2

[shm75]

Hi,

I work for a construction company, and am setting up a programme for our factory that makes the timber kits for the houses so that we can get an idea of what capacity will be needed over the coming year. The programme is split into 2 parts - the first is for kits that are definitely needed, and the second part is forecasted based on sales targets. The factory can produce an average of 9 kits a week, so I've used 1 resource for the whole programme and set it to 900%.

The resource usage graph shows when the factory is allocated over 900%, but is there any way of showing how much of that is from the part of the programme that is confirmed rather than forecasted? Or is there anything else you can suggest that would show this?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Shona

 

[johnherman]

It might be better to have two resources, one for the confirmed work and another for the forecasted work. So, you can look at your total allocation, or the allocation to each resource.

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adaptive uber info galaxies (bigger, better, faster, and more adept than cognitive innovative agile big data clouds)

 

[JulieInMaine]

Is the "Kit" the only resource assigned to the task? If so, you may find a fairly quick work around: In the Gantt chart view (or any task view) add a spare Flag field. Set the Flag to "yes" for those tasks that are forecasted. Then in the Task Usage view apply the Resource Group. That should show the tasks grouped by resources. Then modify the group to group first by resource name and then by flag.

 

[shm75]

Thanks folks, I'll try both of those and see how I get on. The report is going to be distributed to a lot of people, most of whom don't use Project, so I'm trying to get it as clear and "idiot proof" as possible

Thanks again for the help.

 

[SkipVought]

@Julie, I've wondered this question for a long time. I worked in MRP scheduling for a large machine shop that makes aircraft gearboxes and transmissions.

Consequently the scheduling is not a function of a "project" but production orders that are a result of requirements, typical in Manufacturing Requirements Planning.

Can Project be a fit in this type of scenario? This seems to relate to the OPs question. His factory is not a project with a beginning and an ending, but a series of orders for which he is trying to predict capacity and prevent overloads and overdue results.

Typically, the companies I've worked in have inter-related systems of Inventory, Procurement, forecast and hard Requirements Schedules and Work Order Schedules, and others. It not a contained project.

What are your thoughts?

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance![/sub]

 

[johnherman]

I'm not Julie, and I'm sure she will answer you as well. My experience is that MS Project does a decent job of handling product scheduling, but you will find many shortfalls. For instance, you can assign assembly lines, machines, or areas as resources. Each resource can have a calendar, so you can schedule shifts and downtime. But MS Project will often try to over-allocate resources, and machines don't run at 120%. It may also try to resource level or do other project type actions that make no sense in the product/machine world. In a nutshell, it may do some or even many of the things you want, but I'm certain you will find shortfalls.

==================================
adaptive uber info galaxies (bigger, better, faster, and more adept than cognitive innovative agile big data clouds)

 

[SkipVought]

Well Factory Planner has been the best at finite capacity planning. Most others seem to assume infinite capacity ot do a poor job.

Thx for the feedback.

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance![/sub]

 

[JulieInMaine]

Hi Skip,
Sorry for the delay. I think Project can do what you need. However, the biggest challenge in the scenario is attempting to mix human resources and equipment resources. Project looks at each assignment (resource + task) as a separate entity. If you have a task (Create blue widgets) with two assignments: Widget maker (machine that can operate 24/7) and Willa the machine operator who works 8 hours per day. Both resources are required to make the widgets - but in Project there is no way to require both resources to work at the same time. The work around is to create a 'combined' resource with machine and machine operator. But it is still far from perfect. If Willa goes on vacation and there is another operator the machine can run as long as there is another available operator.

 

[SkipVought]

Thx Julie

Skip,
[sub]
Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance![/sub]

 

[JulieInMaine]

You're welcome,Skip