Managing Resource-Constrained Projects with Microsoft Project

Manage projects with limited resources (people or equipment) with Microsoft Project. Learn to assign resources, find overallocations, substitute resources, and track your progress.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Understanding the project scenario
• What you need to know
• Using the exercise files

1. Planning Resources

• Developing a project resource plan
• Replacing generic resources with named resources
• Substituting resources during planning
• Using resource calendars to specify when resources are available
• Scheduling part-time workers

2. Checking Resource Assignments

• Finding overallocations at a high level
• Tracking down overallocation details

3. Resolving Resource Issues

• Replacing a resource with someone less experienced
• Assigning contractors to offload work from overallocated resources
• Eliminating overallocations by extending durations
• Adding resources to offload work from assigned resources
• Adding resources to handle extra work
• Rescheduling assignments for when resources are available
• Leveling resources

4. Executing the Schedule

• Setting a baseline
• Recording progress
• Assigning overtime
• Replacing a resource who is no longer available

Conclusion

• Next steps