Edit Resource and Role Spread Data in the Assignment List

When reviewing resource and role spread data for assignments, you may find that you need to make adjustments to more accurately analyze resource allocation over time. This offers an alternative to standard or linear resource planning by helping to more accurately determine where resource shortfalls or additional needs might occur in future periods. This type of planning applies to labor, non-labor, materials, and roles.

For example, you might have an activity that requires more resources at the beginning and end, rather than at the mid-point. Consider work being done for an apartment complex that requires masonry, followed by a brief waiting period while mortar joints cure. Planning for this effort requires fewer resources after the start of the activity, but significantly more involvement once curing is complete. For this activity, linear resource allocation makes less sense. By editing spread data for future periods, the resource manager can allocate one resource during the waiting period, and in a few more days, they can assign five more to proceed with the next steps when more work can begin.

From the Resources app or the Schedule app, you can modify spread data directly from the project Assignment List by selecting the data within the cell. You can also use a right-click menu to select the Planned Units field or the Remaining Units field for a role or resource to delete single cell data.

Spread data can be adjusted to the timescale you select. Users can select a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly spread view. You can adjust the current spread to capture the earliest start date of any activities, or anything that extends beyond the current spread. The calendar automatically adds a small buffer relative to the timescale selected at first login. For example, if you select a daily spread view, the calendar adds four weeks, or 28 days, of buffer to the spread. Editing outside the current spread can impact activity dates.

Note: Spread data is read-only unless the following conditions are met:

Additional rules apply to the entry of zero into the beginning of the field. Specifically, entering a zero into the first Planned Units future period is considered lag and decreases the Planned Units and Planned Duration of the assignment. Entering a zero into the first Remaining Early Units future period decreases the Remaining Early Units and Remaining Duration of the assignment. Entering a zero at the beginning of a manual curve will not impact the curve.

Manual Curve

Any manual edits made to planned or remaining units spread data will impact Curve data. The field will change from its current setting to Manual. The first time you begin editing assignment spread data, you will be prompted to confirm before changes are committed. Select Do not show again to prevent the message from appearing each time you edit a new field.

Note:You cannot undo the deletion of a Manual curve or the deletion of an assignment row on the Assignment List page. You cannot revert changes after changing the timescale.