Hi,

in this post I will explain what happens when you add resource (recourses) to the Tasks which already has Work assigned in MS PROJECT 2010.

As you know, the magic Formula is WORK = DURATION * UNITS. Let’s see what will happen when wee put the work and the duration for three different task types (fixed units, fixed work and fixed duration). First, as always, setup . In the Gantt chart View I will add the Work Field:

in the Detail View I will pick Task Form:

when I click on the Task Form I will select:

and I will get:

No I will put Tasks in the Gantt Chart View:

As you can see, for each task I have choose proper Task Type, and all Tasks are Non effort driven (all but Fixed work which is Effort driven by default, and you can’t change it).

Also notice, that I put 12 hours for each Task.

Now I will put two Resources in my Project:

I will assign both Resources to Task 1 at once:

and I will get:

Here is the explanation:

• Initially I put 12 hours to the Work field
• I have assign two resources to the Task
• Since Task is Fixed unit and each Resource has to work 12 hours, and the Formula is Duration = Units * Work => Duration = 100% * 12h = 1,5 day, because by default 100% units mean 8 hours per day.
• Total work for the Task is 24 hours (12 per each resource)

I will assign both Resources to the Task 2 (fixed Work), and I will get:

Here is the explanation:

• Initially I put 12 hours to the Work field
• I have assign two resources to the Task
• Since Task is Fixed work and each Resource has to work 6 hours (6+6 = 12 hours FIXED), Duration = 0,75 days (each resource will work 6 hours per day, and because 1 day = 8 hours, 6/8 = 0,75 days)
• Total work for the Task is 12 hours (6 per each resource)

I will assign both Resources to the Task 2 (fixed Duration), and I will get:

Here is the explanation:

• Initially I put 12 hours to the Work field
• I have assign two resources to the Task
• Since Task is Fixed duration and each Resource has to work 12 hours, and the Formula is Duration = Units * Work it means that each Resource will work 12 hours per day, and that is 150% units (12 / 8 = 150%)
• Total work for the Task is 24 hours (12 per each resource)

Be careful when you put work BEFORE you assign any Resource to your Task.

But what if I assign only one resource, and then after a while another? What will change?

Read my next Post!

Regards!