Display table of contents Task planning in the Schedule > Task Attributes > Define Scheduling Mode

When scheduling a task in the TPG Scheduler, the work is calculated from 3 variables: Duration, Units and Effort. This means:

Work = Duration * Units * Effort

In order to plan a task realistically, there are 3 planning modes that can be defined for a task in the TPG Scheduler. One variable is defined for each planning mode:

▪Fixed Duration = duration of the task remains constant.

▪Fixed Units = number of assigned resources remains constant.

▪Fixed Effort = number of working hours/days remains constant.

Define scheduling mode:

➢Show the Scheduling Mode column. (see Schedule - Table)

➢Click in the Scheduling Mode cell during the task. ▶ The drop-down menu opens.

➢Click on the desired scheduling mode Fixed Duration, Fixed Units or Fixed Effort.

▶ The desired scheduling mode is defined for the task.

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▶ The default setting for the scheduling mode is Fixed Duration.

▶ As soon as a resource is assigned to a task, the TPG Scheduler calculates an effort of 8 hours per day and resource.

▶ If you want to use the Fixed Effort scheduling mode for a task, you must first enter the desired effort and only then assign the resource. If the resource is assigned beforehand, the effort is automatically set to 8 hours.

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If a scheduling mode (e.g. Fixed Duration) is selected, the other variable (e.g. Units) is recalculated when one variable (e.g. Effort) is changed. The variables are related as follows:

 

Example 1: Fixed Duration (5 days): Change of Effort (20 hours) leads to recalculation of Units (Assigned Resource: Developer 50%).

Example 2: Fixed Units (number of Assigned Resource): Change of Units (1 ⭢ 2) leads to recalculation of Effort (80 hours)

Example 3: Fixed Effort (56 hours): Change of Duration (10 days) leads to recalculation of Units (Assigned resource: Consultant 70%).

Edit variables in the Task information window:

➢Open the information window. (see Define dependencies between Tasks - Information window)

 The following tabs are available in the Task information window:

➢General: Here you can adjust the effort and duration of the task.

➢Resources: Here you can add or remove resources and change the unit and effort of the resources.

➢Advanced: Here you can set the scheduling mode for the task.

➢Click Save.