Lesson8.1.Scheduling Resource Overtime

Lesson 8.1. Scheduling Resource Overtime

Figure 8-1. The split Gantt Chart view.

Figure 8-2. Putting a task back on track by scheduling overtime

If your project schedule has slipped and tasks will not meet specified constraints, such as deadlines, you can balance this problem by scheduling resource overtime. Scheduling resource overtime means the resource can do more work on the task in a shorter amount of time. In effect, scheduling overtime reduces task duration. In this lesson, we're going to schedule resource overtime to meet a task deadline.

1. Navigate to your practice folder and open Lesson 8. Save the file as Balancing.

   There is one task that, with the current schedule, won't meet its deadline.

2. Press Ctrl + G. Type 31 in the ID field and press Enter.

   The Indicator field for the "Check converted text" task contains a deadline indicator, alerting you that this task won't meet its deadline.

   Let's schedule some overtime so that the work required to complete this task gets done on time.

3. Select Window Your window splits between a Gantt Chart screen and a Task Entry screen, as shown in Figure 8-1.

   Now let's show the Work fields for the resource.

4. Right-click in the gray area of the bottom Task Entry screen and select Resource Work from the shortcut menu.

   Work fields now appear in the bottom Task Entry screen. Now let's enter overtime for the resource assigned to the task, the Production editor.

5. Click the Ovt. Work field for the Production editor resource in the bottom pane of the window. Type 4h and click OK.

   The overtime work is scheduled. Notice that there is no longer a deadline indicator for the task, and the duration of the task is shorter. Now the project plan for Task 31 is back on track. Compare your screen to Figure 8-2.

6. Select Window The project is displayed in the default Gantt Chart view.

QUICK REFERENCE

TO SCHEDULE OVERTIME FOR A RESOURCE:

1. SELECT THE TASK WITH THE DEADLINE INDICATOR.

2. SELECT WINDOW

   RIGHT-CLICK IN THE TASK ENTRY PANE AND SELECT RESOURCE WORK FROM THE SHORTCUT MENU.

3. CLICK THE OVT. WORK FIELD IN THE TASK ENTRY FORM.

4. ENTER THE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME YOU WANT TO SCHEDULE FOR THE RESOURCE.

5. CLICK OK.