Utilizing the Scheduling section for Multiple projects/clients ala MS Project - D-Tools Forum

Andy N · 04-30-2009, 03:16 PM

Alright, so much like the title of the thread says, I have 1 project detailed/scheduled out to the gills and I really am enjoying this new functionality. I have worked in actual MS Project before and I am hoping that this is simple user error. 2 Questions:

1 - To Schedule multiple projects/clients in MS Project using the same resources is something that can be done obv in MS Project, utilizing different colors for diff clients etc etc. In 5.5 the functionality I am finding is not quite identical. What is the best practice method for doing this and displaying it. If I schedule a Lab Tech to build a client rack from 8am to 12am on Monday for example, and then schedule the same Lab tech to work on a Different client rack in the same time period it displays the error that this resource is already being used etc. This is Great! So it prompts me to schedule this resource for said task in a different time frame. My question I suppose is how do I display this easily, and can it be done in Gantt format or only the scheduling format?

Please advise, if this is a current limitation I am a-ok with that and will continue using MS Project, if it is user error, please dont be shy to make me feel bad

2. Printing Reports in Gantt format - Again, am I missing something here? I am not finding an easy way to print a schedule, even for 1 client/project in Gantt format short of a screen cap. Little help would be much appreciated.

Thanks all - I am finding this new Scheduling tab to be most excellent if I can get it to play just a little bit nicer! Really it is great great progress.

Thanks,

Andy

RandyB · 04-30-2009, 06:11 PM

1. The best way to go about this is to use the Resource Schedule (calendar). This control shows all tasks (and service orders) for a particular resource, across all projects, and allows you to allocate a particular resource's time to best advantage.

The Gantt chart has limited value for intra-day scheduling, since it does not show hours and only shows one project at a time. However, you can get a little cross-project information by quickly changing projects back and forth using the project selection tree in the left margin. While this is crude and only helpful if you know the projects in question, I have found it valuable in some situations. But, the bottom line is that the Resource Calendar was created to solve this use case.

2. I haven't noticed any particular problems when printing the Gantt chart using the print icon. We used only the base functionality here and did not add anything to it, so if you have ideas for improvement please let us know.

Randy Bownds
Program Manager
D-Tools, Inc.