[Planner Dev] Ideas to Solve Resource Overload Problem

["Uros Platise" <uros andeuros org>]

            Ideas to Solve Resource Overload Problem

1 Resource Overload Problem

Present state does not use the priority field but it

could be effectivelly used in sorting the tasks. First

let us look at the example:

Given two tasks, being processed by the same resource,

A and B, where A exists in time range [t0, t1] and B is

also within that interval. Imagine that A is a large

task, all together several weeks (of course, it may

have many sub-tasks) and B is an intermediate task, the

same resource has to do on some other project.

From the resource point of view, presently it is

difficult to describe this situation, since it would

yield resource overload for the time interval B

resides. In order to avoid resource overload, it would

be necessary to split the task A into two parts, which

is not always very easy, specially when it consist of

several sub-tasks.

2 Priority Schedulling

Naturally for one resource it is hardly to work on two

tasks as are A and B, but it is more common that one

resource would focus all the energy to the task B, when

it has higher priority, and then return to task A.

Thus, priority could provide an extra and effecient

mechanism in sorting the task.

Whenever priority condition is detected, tasks with

lower priority should have lengthen their duration time

for the period spent by higher priority tasks.

3 Resource Equalization

When two tasks are of equal priority have again face to

the same problem, how to organize resources. I purpose

an additional check-box assigned to task properties, to

equalize resource load (thus to prevent resource

overflow). For example, let us assume that A and B have

the same priorities and defined in time range as above.

If B has turned the check box "equalize resource" it

means that within that time interval B exists, resource

would be equalized. Further if this box is checked for

taks A, it would equalize resources in the time

interval A exists.

Equalization works on the base of resource units. For

example, user John is set 100 units to task A and 50

units to task B, after equalization this yields 100/150 units

for task A and 50/150 units for task B. After calculating

effective units, it is possible to update the duration

time. Note that resource equalization works as a local

change in units in some time interval of some task, and

not globaly as the parameter given besides the user in

the resource assignment menu.

4 GUI Requirements

Present GUI can successfully handle everything. I

propose two check boxes to be added into the Task

Properties / General TAB. These are:

* Priority Based Schedulling Check-Box

* Resource Equalization Check-Box

The first is used to turn on priority schedulling and

thus provide 100% backward compliance, and the second

for turning on the resource equalization mechanism.

Further the last check-box also provides a way to

describe the overtime of some resource by unchecking

it. For example, when A and B would have this box

unchecked they describe the state as in present

software, meaning resource overload - overtime, but let

us add task C, which is just like B. The manager may

choose, that B shall be done in overtime and C in

normal time, as it is not that critical.

In the Gantt Chart the task area that has been lengthen

by other higher priority task could have white back

colour, but this is not so important now.

Regards,

  Uros