Project - Total Cost Calculation for MS Project 2007

Asked By drlabon

20-Nov-09 04:52 PM

Good Afternoon,

Here is the scenario/problem:

I have created a task (100 days duration) and assigned 2 resources to
the task at a straight time rate of 22 per hour.  One resource (A) has a
max unit of 100% which is assigned at 100% the total cost according the
resource sheet is 22,000.  Resource (B) is at the same pay rate, same
assignment level 100% but has a max units % of 400% (Indicating 4 group
resources assigned at 100%.  The total cost according the resource sheet
still reads 22,000.  How can that be??  Am I not understanding something
or am I missing a step?

Recap:

Resource A = Max Units 100% at 22 per hour straight time for 100 days =
Total cost of 22,000

Resource B = Max Units 400% at 22 per hour straight time for 100 days =
Total cost of 22,000


Why is the total cost the exact same???

thanks for any help anyone can provide!


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drlabon
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20-Nov-09 05:28 PM

Max units for a Resource is purely the maximum allocation allowed before a
Resource is flagged as over allocated.

Do you mean Max units or Peak units or what? What is the Work value for
Resource B on that Task?

--

Rod Gill
Microsoft MVP for Project

Author of the only book on Project VBA, see:
http://www.projectvbabook.com





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20-Nov-09 06:58 PM

I have 400% inputed into the Max Units field.


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drlabon
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20-Nov-09 07:38 PM

Aren't both resources assigned at 100%?  Setting the max. unit at
400% does not mean that the resource is **assigned** at 100%.  View
the Gantt chart, split the screen (Window split) and view the
assignment units.

I also do not see how a resource can be assigned to a 100day duration
task at $22.00 per hour and have a cost of 22,000.  Shouldn't there
be 800 hours of work (8 hours per day * 100 days) for a total cost
of $17,600?  Do you have a ten hour day set up?  It sounds like you
have a 10 hour day * 100 days for 1,000 hours of work for each
resource.

I hope this helps.  Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional
information about Microsoft Project

21-Nov-09 01:51 PM

A resource with a Max Units of 400% means there are 4 individuals available
for possible assignment but assigning that resource to a task at 100% does
NOT mean that all 4 individuals are working on it.  Instead it means only 1
out of the 4 is assigned to the task in question, leaving the other 3 idle
and available for assignment.
--
Steve House
MS Project Trainer & Consultant

23-Nov-09 02:21 AM

Hi

My suggestion would be that when working with people view Max. units and
assignment data in numbers instead of %, then such confusions may not arise.

To change this option go to Tools > options > schedule and change the option
of 'Show assignment units as a' to decimal.

I hope it helps.
Vanita
--
Project Management consultant and trainer
vanita_ahuja@yahoo.com

23-Nov-09 05:31 AM

That's why I always describe the assignment percentage as being a rate
variable.  it is not the percentage of the resource's workday or work week
that they can spend on the project or on a task as people sometimes think.
Rather, it is an indicator of the rate at which the resource converts units
of working time spent into full-time equivalent work output.  "100%" means
100 percent of the time spent is converted into useful work while "50%"
means that only half of the time actually spent appears as useful man-hours
of work.


--
Steve House
MS Project Trainer & Consultant