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Milestones met w/ negative float during leveling

3 replies [Last post]
Christopher Eitel
User offline. Last seen 18 years 33 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 6 Dec 2005
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I am running "P5" and have created a resource leveled project. The project has multiple intermediate milestones with "Finish on or before" constraints. I’ve set the project to run based on pure network logic, limited only by max units/time for any given resource. In other words, given unlimited resources, the project shows that it can be completed much earlier than in reality. By leveling, however, priorities are set to total float, then early start, and finally by activity priority code. In the leveling resources box, all options remain unchecked.

Here’s the problem: When trying to optimize(read minimize) my resources throughout the project, at some point I end up in a situation where all my constraint dates (intermediate milestones) are being met, but "pockets" of activities are showing up with negative float. It would seem to me that the activities would just slip to later dates until the milestone dates were violated, then show negative float. Instead, dates for activities remain relatively the same and negative float pops up.

Can anybody shed some light on this?

Replies

Jose Frade
User offline. Last seen 3 years 35 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 7 Jun 2005
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I have no further hint on that. I guess it is related with the options you can set in the level comand window.

BR
JMFrade
Christopher Eitel
User offline. Last seen 18 years 33 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 6 Dec 2005
Posts: 5
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Thanks for the input, Jose.

The constraints I’ve used are not mandatory. They will push (and subsequently show neg. float) when network logic delays them. However, your point has led me to another idea. Maybe the constraints will automatically NOT push due to resource leveling alone. In other words, the negative float reflects the need for additional resources in order to meet the dates shown. Unfortuntately, this is not what I want it to do. I’d like to find a way to make the program optimize the resources based on hitting the constraint dates.

Anyway, thanks again!
Jose Frade
User offline. Last seen 3 years 35 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 7 Jun 2005
Posts: 144
Groups: None
Hello Eitel,

I guess the constraints mentioned by you are set as mandatory. in this case P3 will not move them no mather the relations you have established. Instead, the negative floats are mentioned for the affected activities. Suggestion: release the constraints and recalculate again.

I hope this could help in any way.

Best regards
JMFrade