Change Default Allocation for a Resource

You can use the Planned Allocation and Hard Allocation sections on a resource's Staff Member Properties page to indicate any deviations from the Default % Allocation field. This page displays some of the basic profile fields and a number of editable allocation-related fields. You can unbook a hard-booked resource or extend a resource to do additional project planning.

While the Planned Allocation curve represents the default or total allocation amount requested by the project manager, the Hard Allocation curve represents the allocation amount actually committed by the resource manager. The booking status for a resource changes according to the allocation amounts in the planned and hard allocation curves.

Example: Create Two Allocation Curves

Suppose a resource's planned or default allocation is 100%. Suppose that this resource is booked to work on your project from 8/10 through 11/10, but that he is also scheduled to work on another project 50% of the time through September 1st, and, in addition, plans to be on vacation from September 15th through September 22nd. In this case, you could create two allocation curves for him: one that indicates a deviation to 50% from 8/01/10 through 9/01/10, and another that indicates a deviation to 0% from 9/15/10 to 9/22/10.

Example: Fill Gaps in Allocation Segments

When editing the default allocation segment for a resource, if there are segment gaps, a new segment is automatically created and filled with the default % allocation amount.

For example, say a resource is booked to a project with availability less than 100%. An allocation segment is added such that the allocation start date is greater than the previous allocation segment's end date. This created a gap is between the two segments:

To do this, create two allocation rows in the Planned Allocation and Hard Allocation sections of the resource's Staff Member Properties page, one to cover the period where the resource actually works at 50% (compared to the 100% default or planned allocation), and another for the period where the resource actually works at 0% (compared to the 100% default or planned allocation). When you save the page, a default segment is created for the gap period and populated with the allocation amount of 100%.

To change a resource's default allocation on the project

  1. Open the project.

    The Project: Properties: Main - General page appears.

  2. Select the Team tab.

    The Project: Team: Staff page appears by default.

  3. Click the Properties icon for the resource for which you want to change allocation.

    The Staff Member Properties page appears.

  4. Complete the following field in the General section:
    Default % Allocation

    Enter the percentage of time you want the resource to be allocated to this project (you can enter 0%). This amount is reflected in the Allocation and Allocation % columns on the Project: Team - Staff page.

  5. In the Planned Allocation and Hard Allocation sections, create one row for each deviation from the default allocation. To create a planned or hard allocation period, complete the following fields in the row:
    Start

    Enter or select a start date for the period.

    Finish

    Enter or select a finish date for the period.

    % Allocation

    Enter the percentage of time you expect the resource to work (as tentative or committed). You can enter 0%.

  6. Click Submit.