Resource Management in Microsoft Project by "Drag & Drop"

http://www.erpmanager.net/magazine/news_h21986_resource_management_in_microsoft_project_by.html

The Project Group GmbH (TPG), Microsoft Premier Project and Gold Certified Partner, has further extended its range of Microsoft Project add-in products with the launch of TPG ResourcePlanning.

The new product enables the graphical representation and editing of resource allocations in project portfolios. Using drag and drop, the workload of the resources in project portfolios can be optimized, keeping resource peaks as flat as possible. This eliminates the time-consuming toggling between different views in Microsoft Project and provides a significantly clearer overview. TPG ResourcePlanning is available now from TPG in a client and a server version.

TPG ResourcePlanning makes it easier to optimize resource allocation in project portfolios. This new add-in product enables the assignment of resources to be visualized graphically and edited straight away. The TPG ResourceLink view displays one line per resource and the tasks are displayed as bars in each line with a resource allocated to them. The height of the line corresponds to the workload of the resource, and overloaded resources are marked in red.

The distribution of resources within projects and in project portfolios can be accomplished graphically with a simple drag and drop action within the view. Vertical dragging moves a resource to another task, and horizontal dragging moves both the resource and the task along the time axis. When this is done, the changes in TPG ResourcePlanning are immediately synchronized with the content of the affected Microsoft Project files, enabling staff to switch between the programs immediately. The screenshot below shows the user interface of ResourcePlanning.

"With TPG ResourcePlanning we're offering resource managers a totally new tool that significantly reduces the time they spend on allocations in project portfolios; gives them a clearer overview; and supports reporting needs with its print options," said Johann Strasser, development director and managing director at TPG. "Our customers asked us over and over again whether there was a way to make resource allocations easier in Microsoft Project. And that's what prompted us to extend our product portfolio with this tool."

TPG ResourcePlanning is available in a client and in a server version. The server version enables the use of Microsoft Project Server and provides resource managers with a coordination and approval process that lets them communicate with staff or superiors within Microsoft Project. This is especially useful when generic resources are substituted with real people.

12.01.2007, The Project Group