Allocation Segments in scheduler

[Legacy User]

Using allocation segments:  Role X is allocated 8 hours a week for 4 weeks, then 2 hours a week for another 4 weeks (total of 40 hours over 8 weeks).  When one open this in MSP, one will see:

 

• These allocation segments as a black line graph on Resource Graph as 'resource availability"
• Assigned hours are 8 per day for 5 days in first week, for total of 40 hours (not spread, all pulled ahead by ASAP setting on task)
• Role is over-allocated in that first week as 40 assigned hrs/week is greater than the 8 hrs/week of availability

 

Question 1:  Does anyone know of any setting that will allow task assignments to keep the same distribution as defined by the allocation segments?

[Kristin Schroer]

Hi Dale,

Have you tried the assignment loading pattern of Fixed (which is the equivalent of 'Work Contour' of 'Contoured' in MSP)? This tends to keep the distribution the closest. The one thing to keep in mind though with fixed loading pattern is that if you have any remaining ETCs when a timesheet is posted, ETC hours for any previous time periods would be dropped which is different then the other loading patterns.

 

Thanks,

Kristin

[Legacy User]

Hi Kristin,

 

Yes, tried that.  It spread the hours evenly out across the entire tasks duration.  This result may have something to do with using legacy version of interface and a registry value.  Found this, today:  Would like contoured assignment to remain as contoured when reopened from PPM into MSP<https://comm.support.ca.com/kb/would-like-contoured-assignment-to-remain-as-contoured-when-reopened-from-ppm-into-msp/kb000009468>

 

Is there a way to change the loading pattern from default at project level?  I don’t want to change the default for all projects, and changing this at assignment level is a lengthy process.

 

Dale

[Katie Fears]

Hi Dale - Do you have the Project Management setting, "MSP Assignment Units Mapping with PPM Assignment 'Max % Load'" checked? MSP has a tendency to do it's own thing when distributing assignment ETC, but the mapping option allows the project manager to set the Max % Load when assigning resources to tasks in CA PPM. When the schedule is downloaded to MSP and calculated, it is more likely that MSP will respect the assignment units coming from CA PPM. In the scenario you describe, you should also consider using Fixed Units tasks instead of Fixed Duration or Fixed Work, but make sure the project managers have a good understanding of how MSP's scheduling formula handles Fixed Unit tasks vs Fixed Work or Fixed Duration. I hope this information helps. 

 

Katie