Warning Message with Fixed Duration, Effort driven Task

Question

Dear Colleagues,

When I add a resource with 100% from the Resource Assignment icon this error message occurs.

"Microsoft Project cannot create an assignment with a specific unit value on a fixed duration, effort driven task. Once the assignment is created you can edit the work value in the assignment"

I can add the resource and hours in the Task Form using Task Entry view but I am not sure why this message occurs with this particular setting using the Resourc Assignment box. I am using Project 2007.

Thanks.

Louis

Answer 1

Louis,

First of all, do you have SP3 installed? If not, install it.

You may or may not get a warning message depending on how the data is entered. For example, if I set up a 5 day task with zero hours work and then use the Assign Resources window to assign a resource at 100%, no warning message. But, if I first enter 40h in the Work field and then try to assign a resource at a unit value less than or greater than 100%, an error message, similar to the one you see, appears. However, assigning the resource at 100% with 40h in the Work field gives no warning message.

The main point is this. Project's work equation is:

Duration = Work/Units

If duration is fixed, then you can enter either work or units and Project will calculate the remaining parameter.

Hope this helps.

John