Microsoft Project Resource Delay
What can you do when you have multiple resources working on a task, but some of these resources have a delayed start? Well, Microsoft Project supports an assignment delay for resources in these situations.
In your scheduling scenario you have several resources working on a task, and some of these resources have a staggered start. You want the duration of the task to take into account these resource delays. In Microsoft Project it is feasible to define a resource assignment delay in a way that adjusts the duration of the task, accordingly.
This article demonstrates how to delay a resource assignment on a task that has multiple resource assignments.
We have in Figure 1 our demonstration project.
Figure 1
This is a piping repair project. Figure 2 displays the resource sheet for our demonstration project.
Figure 2
In Figure 3 we have our project including resource assignments.
Figure 3
Now let’s look at the task usage sheet. We select the view tab, task views ribbon group, and task usage icon, Figure 4.
Figure 4
In the task usage sheet, Figure 5, we add the column assignment delay.
Figure 5
In Figure 6 we delay the pipe fitter’s install piping & couplings assignment two days.
Figure 6
Note the two day delay in the pipe fitter’s install piping & couplings task work assignment, Figure 6. Figure 7 displays the updated Gantt chart.
Figure 7
Note the duration of install piping & couplings extended from four days to six days.
Summary
Microsoft Project has an efficient way of delaying a resource’s assignment on a task. The trick is knowing to add the assignment delay column in the task usage sheet.
Microsoft Project updates the task duration, accordingly, to account for any resource assignment delays. If the duration type is fixed duration, Microsoft Project notifies you first before changing the task duration to accommodate the adjusted resource assignment.