Allocating a resource to a project

When managing projects, you can allocate resources to plan their time on each project. You can allocate a resource to a project they are already on, or allocate them while adding them to a project.

If you aren’t ready to allocate specific resources, allocate placeholders instead. For more detailed planning, allocate resources to specific tasks rather than at the project level.

Allocating to an assigned project

To allocate a resource to a project they are already assigned to:

1. Go to Projects > Resources.
2. Find the resource in the list on the left side of the grid.

3. Click Show Projects underneath the resource’s name.

4. Scroll to the date range you want to allocate for.

5. Click in the grid where the desired project and date range intersect.

6. In the Set Allocation dialog, choose:

1. The date range to allocate for

2. How much time they’ll spend on the project, either as:

• Hours/Day - the number of hours each day
• Total Hours - the total hours for the selected period. The hours will be distributed evenly over each day of the period.
• Percent - choose Scheduled Hours to allocate the percentage of resource’s assigned office schedule. Choose Available Hours, to subtract any booked time off in the range selected from the office schedule hours. If you based the allocation on scheduled hours alone, you risk over-allocating resources.

3. Whether time should be allocated on holidays. Note that adding allocations to holidays could result in over-allocation.

4. If you are allocating in the Weekly view, which days of the week the allocation is for. Note that the user's schedule is always the final limiter. For example, if they're only scheduled to work on Mon, Tues, and Wed and you set an allocation for Mon, Wed, and Fri, time will only be allocated on Mon and Wed for the user.

7. Click the Add Allocation button.

You may be prompted to assign and allocate tasks after adding the allocation. Once allocations have been added, you can update or remove them as needed.

Allocating to an unassigned project

If the resource is not already assigned to the project:

1. Click Add to Project below the resource’s name.

2. Select the project you want to assign.

3. Click the Continue button.
4. Enter the date range and time for the allocation.

5. Click Add to assign and allocate the resource.

FAQs

What do I do if the resource’s allocation varies?

Create a new allocation for each change in allocated hours. For example, if you want the resource to work 4 hours per day for one week and 8 hours per day the following week, create an allocation for 4 hours and then create an allocation for 8 hours.

Can I allocate a resource to one project for multiple date ranges?

Yes, add an allocation for the first date range and then repeat the process for additional date ranges.

However, keep in mind you cannot add multiple allocations to the same project for the same dates. For example, you cannot allocate John to Project A for 3 hours on May 21^st and then allocate him to Project A for 4 hours on May 21^st and 22^nd. When you create the second allocation, it will replace the first one rather than add to it.

What if a suitable resource is not available?

Allocate a placeholder instead. Once a resource becomes available, you can swap out the placeholder.

Can I assign resources at a project level?

Yes. You can alternatively assign a resource at a project level. For more information see Assigning a project team.