Group Resources for Effective Reports!

Here’s a hot tip that I find useful on every project that utilizes resources.

The Entry table in the Resource Sheet View contains a field that can give a new perspective on resources when used along with grouping. It’s the Resource Sheet’s Group field.

In just four steps, the Resource Sheet view becomes a powerhouse report showing resource costs by a category defined in the Group field. Here’s how:

1. Enter data into the Group field for each resource. In the figure below, the data represents the resource function in the project.

Group Resources for Effective Reports!

2. In the Data sub group of the View tab, choose Group by: and choose Resource Group from the drop down list. See the figure below.

Group Resources for Effective Reports!

3. The grouping is presented. Note in the figure below that the text entered for each resource is now used to organize the resource Sheet.

Group Resources for Effective Reports!

4. Apply the table of choice. In the figure below, the Cost table is applied. Note that the grouping now totals the cost for each resource, then rolls the data up to the grouping label. The Resource Sheet is now a report helping compare and analyze the cost of project resources as organized in the group. Other tables can be applied for different information such as resource work.

Group Resources for Effective Reports!

Give this technique a try. If you like the result or if you find another grouping you like better, share it with me and other MPUG members!

This article was first published on Sam Huffman’s Project Blog.

 

Written by Sam Huffman
Sam Huffman first gained insight into Microsoft Project while working as a member of the MS Project development and support team. He has maintained his depth of knowledge of MS Project with each release and is a leading authority in the use and features of MS Project, Project Server and Project Online. Since the early 1990's Sam has honed his instruction skills by delivering training programs to thousands every year. Sam is a frequent content contributor to the Microsoft Project User Group (MPUG) and speaks to groups often about MS Project, Enterprise Project Management and the discipline of Project Management. He was awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professional from 2010-2017. Check out his blog on MS Project. The softcover version of my newest book Microsoft® Project Do’s and Don’ts is now available for purchase! It is portable, brief and to the point so you can find help when you need it. Through tips, best practices and examples it will help you jumpstart your project!
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