I'm trying what the xProcess' Help calls "Multi-role Tasks": coarse tasks assigned to different roles, with specific proportions of effort for each role.
But it seems that, with this kind of task, the scheduler can do weird things in one use case:
1. the project manager creates a task with 2 roles, 50% of total effort for each role;
2. one of the project participants confirms some effort done in the task;
3. the project manager adjusts "Estimate to complete" of each role, reducing time of this participant's role and increasing the other role's time accordingly (in task editor, opening tab "Required Resources").
At this point the scheduler runs, allocating more time than the task's total estimate to complete and making task to last more than expected.
This can be confirmed in task editor, tab "Required Resources" (box "Assignments"): the column "Effort Remaining" shows more time than task's "Effort to complete".
Am I understanding correctly how this kind of task works?
Thanks in advance.
Giancarlo
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I was not able to reproduce the "weird things" - I tried to follow your steps and after every save (and scheduler run) the values for "Effort Remaining" and "Effort to complete" were the same. If you let me know more detail of which values you entered where and which values came out as a result I will give it another try.
Flemming
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Sorry, I realized that I wasn't clear enough. My use case also includes re-estimating of individual effort to complete by each participant, in a daily meeting. So, at step 3, you have to change estimates more than the amount of time completed until that moment.
In your example, please change "Estimate to complete" for Role2 from 10 to 4, and for Role1 from 16 to 22 (summing up 26). You'll note that "Effort Remaining" now reads 27.1. As I see it, it should be 26. Follows my screen.
I appreciate very much your help.
Giancarlo
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I can not see your screenshot but could reproduce the behaviour following your description. I also now see that although in my screenshot the sum of "Effort Remaining" is correct the way it is split is not. The "Effort Remaining" values for the Roles does not match the corresponding "Estimates to Complete". I assume that there is a calculation error somewhere and will look into it and get back to you.
Flemming
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Hi,
I'm trying what the xProcess' Help calls "Multi-role Tasks": coarse tasks assigned to different roles, with specific proportions of effort for each role.
But it seems that, with this kind of task, the scheduler can do weird things in one use case:
1. the project manager creates a task with 2 roles, 50% of total effort for each role;
2. one of the project participants confirms some effort done in the task;
3. the project manager adjusts "Estimate to complete" of each role, reducing time of this participant's role and increasing the other role's time accordingly (in task editor, opening tab "Required Resources").
At this point the scheduler runs, allocating more time than the task's total estimate to complete and making task to last more than expected.
This can be confirmed in task editor, tab "Required Resources" (box "Assignments"): the column "Effort Remaining" shows more time than task's "Effort to complete".
Am I understanding correctly how this kind of task works?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Giancarlo,
I was not able to reproduce the "weird things" - I tried to follow your steps and after every save (and scheduler run) the values for "Effort Remaining" and "Effort to complete" were the same. If you let me know more detail of which values you entered where and which values came out as a result I will give it another try.
Flemming
Hi Flemming,
Sorry, I realized that I wasn't clear enough. My use case also includes re-estimating of individual effort to complete by each participant, in a daily meeting. So, at step 3, you have to change estimates more than the amount of time completed until that moment.
In your example, please change "Estimate to complete" for Role2 from 10 to 4, and for Role1 from 16 to 22 (summing up 26). You'll note that "Effort Remaining" now reads 27.1. As I see it, it should be 26. Follows my screen.
I appreciate very much your help.
Hi Giancarlo,
I can not see your screenshot but could reproduce the behaviour following your description. I also now see that although in my screenshot the sum of "Effort Remaining" is correct the way it is split is not. The "Effort Remaining" values for the Roles does not match the corresponding "Estimates to Complete". I assume that there is a calculation error somewhere and will look into it and get back to you.
Flemming
Hi Giancarlo,
I have reported the bug and proposed a fix for it: https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3470303&group_id=251380&atid=1126707#
Flemming
Hi Flemming,
It seems you found the cause of the problem. I'll stay monitoring that bug report. Thank you!
See my reply to the tracker… Link above.
Fixed in build 3414. Will be released in the next release.
Beta (3.6) now available.