Microsoft Project 2010: Resource Pool

We will create a Resource Pool which will link to Project files 1, 2 & 3 (Project files 1,2 & 3 will need to be created with a few tasks or simply use your own project files).

Now follow these steps to create and link your Resource Pool:

1) Create a new Microsoft Project .mpp file Click> File > New > Blank Project

Within the new project in the standard toolbar select the drop down menu labelled Gantt Chart and then select Resource Sheet.

2) Now create resources R1, R2 & R3 in the resource sheet.

Save this project as RP.

3) Now we will link the projects to the resource pool. Access Project 1 and on the standard toolbar Click> Resource > Resource Pool> Share Resources

Now select “use resources “ (Note: the resource pool which was saved as RP must be kept open during this process) Now select your resource pool (RP) from the drop down menu and press OK.

You must link Project 2 & Project 3 using the same process as above.

4) Now select a few tasks from your Master Project file (Project 1, 2 & 3) and assign your resources R1, R2 & R3. You can choose any task from any project to assign your resources. To do this select Resource from the standard toolbar and then Click> Assigns Resources > select your resources e.g. R1 and click Assign > Close.

Overallocated resources- resources which are overallocated to tasks will appear in red in the resource pool or next to a task you will notice a red icon of a person in the indicators column which also indicated over-allocation.