Scheduling modes
Dynamics 365 Project Operations provides the ability for organizations to define how they manage changes to key variables in tasks within the work breakdown structure. Based on the specific needs of the organization, project managers can change the scheduling mode when a project is created.
The following scheduling modes are available in Project Operations:
Fixed Effort: Ensures that the effort (total work) remains constant, adjusting duration or units based on the resources assigned to the task.
Fixed Duration: Keeps the task’s duration constant, adjusting effort and units as needed when resources are added or removed.
Fixed Units: Keeps the units (resource allocation) constant, adjusting effort and duration when resources are changed.
Fixed Duration / Effort Driven: In this mode, the duration of the task remains fixed. When new resources are added to the task (or existing resources are removed), the effort (total work) remains constant. The system adjusts the number of units (resources) to maintain the fixed duration and constant effort.
The values impacted by the definition of a specific scheduling mode are determined by the following formula:
Effort = Duration x Units
One of these values is set when you specify the scheduling mode for a project; after it's been set, you can't change it. When a value is kept constant, the mode gives it priority and instructs the system not to modify it when the other two values do. The effects of picking a certain mode are detailed in the following sections. Change the organization's scheduling mode
Complete the following steps to define the scheduling mode of an organization.
Go to Settings > General > Parameters and then select the project parameter.
On the Project Parameters page, select the default scheduling mode for the organization, and then define the ability for the project manager to override the setting when they're creating a new project.
Change the scheduling mode setting on a project
When starting a new project, the project manager can change the default scheduling mode if the organization permits it. They can't change the scheduling mode after the project is saved.
Copied projects
The project manager is unable to change the scheduling mode because a project is created when the copy project action is taken. The destination project defaults to the mode that's defined at the organizational level.
Copied tasks
If a task is copied to another project, it inherits the scheduling mode of the destination project.