Project resource plans
Project management software allows for the creation of resource plans, where resources are allocated to projects without assigning tasks to the resources. Resource plans allow for a proposed or committed status for each resource. A resource plan may be used in conjunction with an associated project plan, allowing resources to be “reserved” to assigning tasks. Resource utilization calculations may be performed using either (or both) a detailed project plan or a resource plan.
1 . A computer-implemented method for associating resources with a project within a project management software application, the method comprising:
receiving a plurality of resources to associate with the project without assigning tasks to any of the plurality of resources;
receiving a plurality of numeric allocations for each of the plurality of resources, wherein each of the numeric allocations corresponds to a fixed period of time;
associating a booking type with each resource, wherein the booking type includes one of confirmed and proposed; and
receiving a plurality of task assignments, wherein each task is assigned to one of the plurality of resources.
2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
calculating resource utilization values for each of the plurality of resources, wherein resource utilization is calculated using the plurality of numeric allocations.
3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
receiving a transition date;
calculating resource utilization values prior to the transition date using the plurality of task assignments; and
calculating resource utilization values following the transition date using the plurality of numeric allocations.
4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of resources comprises named individuals.
5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of resources comprises one of a job title and a needed skill.
6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the fixed period of time comprises one of a day, a week, and a month.
7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the numeric allocations comprise time values.
8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the numeric allocations comprise full-time equivalent values.
9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:
creating a published version of the plurality of numeric allocations for each of the plurality of resources; and
allowing further changes to an unpublished version of the plurality of numeric allocations for each of the plurality of resources.
10 . A system for testing software, wherein the system comprises:
a processor;
a memory, storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions comprise:
receiving a resource to associate with a project without assigning tasks to the resource;
receiving a plurality of numeric allocations for the resource, wherein each of the numeric allocations corresponds to a fixed period of time;
associating a booking type with the resource, wherein the booking type includes one of confirmed and proposed;
receiving a plurality of task assignments, wherein each task is assigned to at least one of the plurality of resources;
receiving a transition date;
calculating resource utilization values prior to the transition date using the plurality of task assignments; and
calculating resource utilization values following the transition date using the plurality of numeric allocations.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the resource is a named individual.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the resource is one of a job title and a needed skill.
13 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the fixed period of time comprises one of a day, a week, and a month.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the numeric allocations comprise time values.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the numeric allocations comprise full-time equivalent values.
16 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising:
a network interface enabling communication between the processor and a remote computer, wherein the remote computer includes a data store; and
wherein the instructions further comprise:
sending the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource to the data store via the network interface.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
checking out the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource from the data store for exclusive editing;
modifying the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource; and
checking in the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource to the data store.
18 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further comprise:
creating a published version of the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource; and
allowing further changes to an unpublished version of the plurality of numeric allocations for the resource.
19 . A computer-implemented method for modifying a resource plan associated with a project, the method comprising:
retrieving the resource plan from a server;
receiving a resource for allocation to the resource plan, wherein the resource has no tasks assigned;
receiving a selection of a booking type for the allocated resource, wherein the booking type comprises one of proposed and committed;
receiving a numeric allocation for the allocated resource, wherein the numeric allocation is associated with a fixed period of time;
saving the modified resource plan to the server; and
receiving a request to publish the resource plan.
20 . The computer-implemented method of claim 19 , further comprising:
retrieving a project plan from the server, wherein the project plan is associated with the resource plan;
assigning a task to the resource for the project plan;
saving the modified project plan to the server.