Ms project resource pool problems

Evaluate 5.1

Conveyor Belt Project Assignment

Follow the instructions given in the Overview and Video Tutorials to complete Part 3 and Part 4 of the Conveyor Belt Project in Appendix 2 of the text book.

· Open the Conveyor Belt Project file for the homework in the last module.

· Open a Word document for this week’s homework.

Part 3A

· After creating the resource pool, copy the screen image of Resource Sheet and paste into the Word document.

· After assigning resources, copy the screen image of the data entry screen and paste into the Word document.

· After time-constrained scheduling, copy the screen image of Resource Sheet and paste into the Word document. The Resource Sheet should show the resources that over-allocated.

· After resource-constrained scheduling, copy the screen image of Resource Sheet and paste into the Word document. The Resource Sheet should show the resources that over-allocated.

Part 3B

· After adding the two internal development teams and doing time-constrained resource scheduling, copy the screen image of Resource Sheet and paste into the Word document. The Resource Sheet should show the resources that over-allocated.

· After adding the two external development teams and doing time-constrained resource scheduling, copy the screen image of Resource Sheet and paste into the Word document. The Resource Sheet should show the resources are no longer over-allocated.

· After generating the Cashflow report, copy the screen image and paste in to the Word document. Change time scale to months.

· Answer all the questions given in Part 3 (five questions from Part 3A and three questions from Part 3B) and Part 4 (all questions). Submit your answers along with the screen shots as listed above as Appendices to the instructor through the Assignment tab on the Blackboard for evaluation.

In addition to the general instructions included in the Overview of this topic, you might find the following notes helpful in doing the Conveyor Belt homework.

Part 3A Notes

· Enter resource names from Table A2.12 For “Assembly/Test” enter “Assembly” for consistency with Table A2.11.

· Enter one team as 100% and two teams as 200% under Maximum Units.

Part 3B Notes

1. Add the two internal development teams for a total of four internal development teams to the resource pool. Level within the available slack (to complete the project within 530 days). If no resources are over-allocated, you have achieved your objective of completing the project in 530 days at the minimum cost. If any resources are still over-allocated, go to the next step.

2. Add the two external development teams as “DevelopmentX” to the resource pool. The external development teams are added as “DevelopmentX” since they are paid at a higher standard rate ($120 per hour). Identify the resources and the activities that are over-allocated through the Resource Usage view by scrolling horizontally. Make a note of the activities.

3. Select the shortest activity from the over-allocated activities from the previous step and change the resource assigned from Development to “DevelopmentX”. Level within the available slack (to complete the project within 530 days). If no resources are over-allocated, you have achieved your objective of completing the project in 530 days at the minimum cost. Otherwise, identify the resources and the activities that are over-allocated through the Resource Usage view by scrolling horizontally. Make a note of the activities.

4. Repeat step the previous step until no resources are over-allocated, and you have achieved your objective of completing the project within 530 days at the minimum cost.

Table A2.12 (Organization Resources)

Name Group Cost ($/hr)

Design R&D (2 teams) $100

Development R&D (2 teams) $70

Documentation R&D (1 team) $60

Assembly R&D (1 team) $70

Purchasing Procurement (1 team) $40

From the textbook:

Part 3

Remember the old saying, “A project plan is not a schedule until resources are committed.” This exercise illustrates this subtle, but very important difference.

Part A

Using your files from Part 2 input resources and their costs if you have not already done so. All information is found in Tables A2.11 and A2.12

Answer the following questions:

1. Which if any of the resources are over-allocated?

2. Assume that the project is time constrained and try to solve any over-allocation problems by leveling within slack. What happens?

3. What is the impact of leveling within slack on the sensitivity of the network?

Include a Gantt chart with the schedule table after leveling within slack.

4. Assume the project is resource constrained and resolve any over-allocation problems by leveling outside of slack. What happens? What are the managerial implications?

5. What options are available at this point in time?

Include a Gantt chart with the schedule table after leveling outside of slack.

Note: No splitting of activities is allowed

Note: No partial assignments (i.e. 50 percent). All resources must be assigned 100 percent.

Part B

When you show the resource-constrained network to top management, they are visibly shaken. After some explanation and negotiation they make the following compromise with you:

-The project must be completed no later than February 2, 2012 (530 days)

-You may assign two additional development teams

-If this does not suffice, you may hire other development teams from the outside. Hire as few external teams as possible because they cost $50 more per hour than your inside development people

Internal Development

Add as many development units (teams) as needed to stay within the 530 days. If you need more than two internal development units, then hire as few external teams as necessary. Select the cheapest possibility! Change as few activities as possible. It is recommended you keep work packages which require cooperation of several organizational units inside your company. You decide how best to do this.

Hint: Undo leveling prior to adding new resources

Once you have obtained a schedule that meets the time and resource constraints, answer the following questions:

1. What changes did you make and why?

2. How long will the project take?

3. How did these changes affect the sensitivity of the network?

Include a Gantt chart with a schedule table presenting the new schedule

Part 4

Based on the file created at the end of Part 3, answer the following questions:

1. How much will the project cost?

2. What does the cash flow statement tell you about how costs are distributed over the life span of the project?

Include a monthly cash flow and a cost table for the project.

Once you are confident that you have the final schedule, save the file as a baseline

Hint: Save a backup file just in case without baseline