Microsoft Project, also known as MS Project, is a popular project management tool. One of its key features is the capability to level resources within slack, making it a valuable tool in handling over-allocated resources. In this blog post, we will provide instructions on how to effectively utilize this feature to optimize your project management abilities.
Understanding Leveling within Slack
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand what ‘leveling within slack’ means. In project management, ‘slack’ (also known as ‘float’) is the total time that you can delay a task without delaying the project. More slack indicates more flexibility in scheduling. When you level within slack in MS Project, you’re essentially rescheduling or delaying tasks that have slack time in order to resolve resource over-allocation.
Steps to Level Within Slack in MS Project
Now, let’s go through the actual steps:
Step 1: Open Leveling Options
After opening your project in MS Project, go to the Resource tab and click on the Leveling Options button. This will open a new dialog box.
Step 2: Set Leveling Calculations to Automatic
In the Leveling Options dialog box, under Leveling Calculations, select Automatic. This setting will allow MS Project to automatically level resources as you work on your project.
Step 3: Check Leveling Within Slack
Under the Resolution section, you’ll see the Leveling within slack option. Check this box to activate slack leveling.
Step 4: Apply the Changes
After you’ve made these adjustments, click OK to apply the changes. Your project tasks will now be leveled within slack, allowing for more efficient resource allocation.
Conclusion
Leveling within slack in MS Project is a powerful feature for managing your project schedule and resource allocation. By following the steps above, you can effectively use this feature to ensure your projects always stay on track. Keep in mind that it’s always wise to monitor your project as you apply these changes, to ensure everything is working as expected.
