How can I enforce zero lag time when levelling?

[Mike]

Hi all,

I've got a fairly simple problem, but I can't seem to figure out the
answer.

I'm trying to schedule a recurring set of three tasks which each use
different resources. Each task is dependent on the previous and each
must occur immediately after its predecessor has finished. This is the
most important factor. Resource allocation and duration are not as
important.

So I set them up as follows:

Task 1A 2 weeks Driver
Task 2A 6 weeks Guide 1
Task 3A 8 weeks Guide 1

Task 1B 2 weeks Driver
Task 2B 6 weeks Guide 2
Task 3B 8 weeks Guide 2

Task 1C 2 weeks Driver
Task 2C 6 weeks Guide 1
Task 3C 8 weeks Guide 1

(etc.)

Each task 2 has a FS+0d dependency on Task 1. Each task 3 has a FS+0d
dependency on Task 2. Everything is schedule ASAP.

Now, when I apply resource levelling, Project moves things around to
maximize resource usage, as you'd expect. The problem is that I want
it to enforce the zero lag time, while making sure that resources are
not over-allocated (I don't care if they are under-allocated.)

Is there a resource levelling option that will help? Should I be
trying another approach?

Thanks!

- Mike

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Mike,

I'm afraid there is no option in Project wherever to force that.
A link is a kind of "Start no earlier than" constraint with the constraint
date set by the predecessor.
Still, what you can do is give the 2 sucessor tasks a very very high
priority and use priority, standard as your leveling order. Then leveling
will probably not delay there tasks. If you set their priority to 1000
leveling will ven ignore thelmm and definitely not move them.

OBTW, Leveling does not try to optimize resource usage. It just delays the
assignments with the lowest priority till there is no more overalmlocation,
that is absolutely all. No optimizing.

HTH

--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/index.htm
32-495-300 620

Post by Mike
Hi all,
I've got a fairly simple problem, but I can't seem to figure out the
answer.
I'm trying to schedule a recurring set of three tasks which each use
different resources. Each task is dependent on the previous and each
must occur immediately after its predecessor has finished. This is the
most important factor. Resource allocation and duration are not as
important.
Task 1A 2 weeks Driver
Task 2A 6 weeks Guide 1
Task 3A 8 weeks Guide 1
Task 1B 2 weeks Driver
Task 2B 6 weeks Guide 2
Task 3B 8 weeks Guide 2
Task 1C 2 weeks Driver
Task 2C 6 weeks Guide 1
Task 3C 8 weeks Guide 1
(etc.)
Each task 2 has a FS+0d dependency on Task 1. Each task 3 has a FS+0d
dependency on Task 2. Everything is schedule ASAP.
Now, when I apply resource levelling, Project moves things around to
maximize resource usage, as you'd expect. The problem is that I want
it to enforce the zero lag time, while making sure that resources are
not over-allocated (I don't care if they are under-allocated.)
Is there a resource levelling option that will help? Should I be
trying another approach?
Thanks!
- Mike

[Mike]

Jan,

Thanks. I had been playing around with Priority; I was wondering if
there was a more "correct" way to solve this one.

- Mike

[Steve House [MVP]]

What should happen with the "C" set of tasks? Should the driver wait to do
his 1C until 2 weeks before the Guide will be freed up to start 2C or what?
--
Steve House [MVP]
MS Project Trainer & Consultant
Visit http://www.mvps.org/project/faqs.htm for the FAQs

Post by Mike
Hi all,
I've got a fairly simple problem, but I can't seem to figure out the
answer.
I'm trying to schedule a recurring set of three tasks which each use
different resources. Each task is dependent on the previous and each
must occur immediately after its predecessor has finished. This is the
most important factor. Resource allocation and duration are not as
important.
Task 1A 2 weeks Driver
Task 2A 6 weeks Guide 1
Task 3A 8 weeks Guide 1
Task 1B 2 weeks Driver
Task 2B 6 weeks Guide 2
Task 3B 8 weeks Guide 2
Task 1C 2 weeks Driver
Task 2C 6 weeks Guide 1
Task 3C 8 weeks Guide 1
(etc.)
Each task 2 has a FS+0d dependency on Task 1. Each task 3 has a FS+0d
dependency on Task 2. Everything is schedule ASAP.
Now, when I apply resource levelling, Project moves things around to
maximize resource usage, as you'd expect. The problem is that I want
it to enforce the zero lag time, while making sure that resources are
not over-allocated (I don't care if they are under-allocated.)
Is there a resource levelling option that will help? Should I be
trying another approach?
Thanks!
- Mike

[Mike]

Steve,

Yep, the important thing is each task occuring immediately after its
predecessor. If the driver has some down time, that's ok.

- Mike