Project 2010 Bible

Chapter 11. Resolving Resource Problems

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Understanding how resource conflicts occur

• Spotting resource conflicts

• Resolving conflicts

Resource allocation is the process of assigning resources to tasks in a project. Because the potential for resource overallocation always accompanies resource assignment, this chapter explores the causes of resource overallocation and suggests methods to resolve the conflicts.

Understanding How Resource Conflicts Occur

As you assign resources to tasks, Project checks the resource's calendar to make sure that the resource is working. However, Project doesn't assess whether the resource is already obligated when you assign the resource to a new task; Project enables you to make the assignment. If, indeed, the resource is already obligated, the additional assignment will probably lead to overallocating the resource. Overallocation occurs when you assign more work to a resource than the resource can accomplish in the time that you've allotted for the work to be completed.

For example, if you assign Gayle to work full-time on two tasks that start on the same day, you're actually assigning Gayle to 16 hours of work in an 8-hour day — not possible unless Gayle is a really dedicated employee who has no life outside work. On the other hand, if you have a group of three mechanics and you assign two mechanics to work on two tasks that start on the same day, you still have one spare mechanic and no overallocation.

Figure 11.1 shows a series of tasks under ...