1. Using Project Execution Management
  2. Fixed Duration Projects

Fixed Duration Projects

In fixed duration projects, project managers can add tasks and specify the duration. The task duration is fixed and task effort varies based on the number of resources assigned to the task and their allocation. Typically, you create fixed duration projects when you have strict milestones and deadlines.

Note: You can create a project that has both fixed duration and fixed effort tasks.

Fixed Duration Project Creation

To create a fixed duration project, select Fixed Duration in the Schedule Type list on the Create Project dialog box when creating a project.

To convert a fixed effort project to a fixed duration project, click Manage Project Details in the panel tab and update the schedule type of the project on the Edit Project Details page.

Note: Project application administrators can use the Manage Project Management Implementation Options setup task to assign the schedule type for all new projects. By default, the schedule type is Fixed Duration.

Fixed Duration Project Management

Project managers can create tasks and specify the start and finish dates, or specify the project duration. When you modify the number of resources and their allocation, the effort is automatically updated. When managing tasks, keep in mind the following:

  • When you assign resources, the default allocation is populated based on the allocation defined on the Manage Project Resources page.

  • Effort is calculated based on the project and resource calendars. So, if it's a nonworking day in the project calendar or the resource calendar, effort isn't calculated for that day.

  • After you convert a fixed effort project to a fixed duration project, if you want to modify the initially allocated effort, you should either modify the duration or add a labor resource. If you modify the duration, the initially allocated effort becomes zero. If you add a labor resource, the effort is recalculated. You can't modify effort directly; it's always calculated based on the task duration and resource assignments.

Example of Fixed Duration Project Management

Here's a table that shows tasks along with Start, Finish, Duration and Labor Resources. It also contains the calculated Effort when the resource calendar has:

  • 5 working days per week, 8 hours per day.

  • 6 December, 2019 as a nonworking day for Anthony.

  • Saturdays and Sundays are nonworking days for all resources.

Task

Labor Resource and Allocation

Start

Finish

Duration (In Days)

Effort (In Hours)

Builder 1

Smith [100%]

25-Nov-19

25-Nov-19

1

8

Builder 2

Smith [100%], Anthony [100%]

26-Nov-19

27-Nov-19

1.5

24

Builder 3

Anthony [100%]

2-Dec-19

13-Dec-19

10

72

Let's take a closer look at the examples. In case of the task Builder 1, there's one resource with 100% allocation and the duration is 1 day. And, because the working hours are 8 hours per day, here's how the Effort is calculated:

Effort = Resource Allocation * Duration = 1*8 = 8 hours.

In case of the task Builder 2, there are 2 resources assigned with 100% allocation and the duration is 1.5 days. And, because the working hours are 8 hours per day, here's how the Effort is calculated:

Effort = Resource allocation * Duration = 8*1.5 + 8*1.5 = 24 hours.

In case of the task Builder 3, there's one resource with 100% allocation and the duration is 10 days. And, because the working hours are 8 hours per day and Anthony isn't working on December 6, 2019, here's how the Effort is calculated:

Effort = Resource allocation * Duration = 8*(10-1) = 72 hours.

Also, notice that work hasn't been calculated for December 7, 2019 and December 8, 2019 because they're Saturday and Sunday, which are nonworking days in the resource calendar.