Resource leveling in Microsoft Project: problems and solutions

Project Management

Why do project managers want to ensure the project schedule is appropriately resource leveled prior to project execution? What are some of the potential problems using automatic resource leveling in Microsoft Project?

(220 Words 3 APA sources)

Resource leveling allows project managers to find potential issues in the allocation of their resources throughout the project. It is important to complete resource leveling before project execution to ensure that all tasks can be completed within the given timeline. Resource over allocation happens when a particular resource is given more work than they can do in time available. By using Microsoft Project the project timeline or schedule is calculated based on task requirements rather than the resource availability (Roberts). The resource leveling tool within Microsoft Project completes some extraordinary algorithms to smooth out resource allocation problems, but produces a result that you may not want (Anonymous).

Microsoft Project is the most well-known project management tool, but there are problems from using automatic resource leveling. Microsoft Project has several idiosyncrasies and unless the Project Manager thoroughly understands the algorithms it uses to automatically level resources, it can make detrimental changes to the project plan (Brown). Instead of automatic leveling, project managers can use manual resource leveling within Microsoft Project to effectively level projects. The main issue is that Microsoft Project constantly changes dates in the project timeline, so it must be monitored to watch for unwanted automatic adjustments (Brown).

Student 2: (150 Words 1 APA source)

Project managers should ensure that resources are not over allocated before beginning execution of each new project. This can be done by doing resource leveling on the project. Resource leveling can be completed manually or with the help of a tool like Microsoft Project. Completing resource leveling allows the project manager to more easily pinpoint when and what resource is over allocated (Kennemer). Once pinpointed, the project manager can break up tasks, assign them to another resource, or delay tasks. Using automatic resource leveling in Microsoft Project can create problems because it can severely alter the layout of the project tasks without the project manager understanding all of the changes. Often times the final project completion date is extended without the project manager realizing which can cause confusion within the project team. Overall, resource leveling is a much needed task within the project, but must be done carefully and monitored over the life of the project.

Part 2: Research and identify 3 effective leadership characteristics of a project manager. Why are these characteristics important to successful communication?

Student 1: (220 words three APA sources)

Project managers need to be effective leaders in order to be successful on their projects. Some of the characteristics that make effective leaders are being a good negotiator, being trustworthy, and being a motivator. Being able to successfully negotiate when a project scope changes is an important characteristic. The project manager will need to communicate with the project team to negotiate a solution that meets the needs of the customer while not ruining the project timeline or budget (Egeland). Secondly, they must be trustworthy. Project managers need to trust their team and gain the trust of their team in return. If there is trust the team will be more willing to come to when there are concerns in the project and they will listen more openly to you as the project manager (Alexandrou). Thirdly, having the ability to motivate the project team is a characteristic of a project manager. Projects can have ups and downs for the project team. When target dates seem far from reach, having a project manager with the ability to motivate the group by setting smaller goals and giving incentives can improve the team's morale. Communicating when things go well instead of only talking about the negative can help communication overall and help motivate the team to continue with their hard work (Bastian).

Student 3: (150 words no sources)

There are many characteristics that help to make a project manager an effective leader. Three of these characteristics are being a problem solver, a good listener, and a savvy planner. Having the ability to problem solve is an integral part of being an effective project manager. Projects are one large problem that the project manager must be able to reduce to many small problems and work with the project team and custom to find adequate solutions. Another characteristic is being a good listener. Having the ability to listen and actually hear what everyone is saying will help to find possible problems before they occur and gain a better understanding of the project and your team members. The final characteristic that makes a project manager an effective leader is being a planner. Having a plan and being able to assign tasks at the right time to the right people will allow the project to thoroughly be communicated to all of those involved.