How to Disable Resource Leveling in MS Project: A Comprehensive Guide

Resource leveling is a useful feature in Microsoft Project that helps to distribute project work evenly among resources and prevent overallocation. However, there may be times when you want to turn off resource leveling to have more control over resource assignments. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to disable resource leveling in MS Project, using both the Leveling Options dialog box and by adjusting resource settings.

Method 1: Using the Leveling Options Dialog Box

1. Open your project in Microsoft Project.
2. Click on the “Resource” tab in the ribbon.
3. In the “Level” group, click on the “Leveling Options” button.
4. In the Resource Leveling dialog box, select the “Manual” option under Leveling calculations.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Method 2: Adjusting Resource Settings

1. Open your project in Microsoft Project.
2. Double-click on the resource name to open the Resource Information dialog box.
3. Click on the “General” tab.
4. In the “Max. Units” field, enter a high value (e.g., 500%).
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

By following either of these methods, you can effectively turn off resource leveling in MS Project, allowing you to have more control over resource assignments and prevent overallocation.

Conclusion

Resource leveling is a valuable tool in Microsoft Project for managing resource allocation and preventing overallocation. However, there may be instances where you need to disable resource leveling to have more flexibility in assigning resources. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily turn off resource leveling using either the Leveling Options dialog box or by adjusting resource settings.

References

1. How do you shut off/ignore resource leveling? – Microsoft Office Forums
2. Distribute project work evenly (level resource assignments) – Microsoft Support

FAQs

What is resource leveling in MS Project?

Resource leveling is a feature in MS Project that automatically adjusts task schedules to avoid resource overallocation and distribute work evenly among resources.

Why would I want to turn off resource leveling?

You may want to turn off resource leveling if you need more control over resource assignments, want to prevent tasks from being delayed or split, or have a specific resource allocation strategy that differs from Project’s default leveling algorithm.

How can I turn off resource leveling using the Leveling Options dialog box?

To turn off resource leveling using the Leveling Options dialog box, go to the Resource tab, click on “Leveling Options,” select “Manual” under Leveling calculations, and click “OK.”

How can I turn off resource leveling by adjusting resource settings?

To turn off resource leveling by adjusting resource settings, double-click on the resource name, go to the General tab, enter a high value (e.g., 500%) in the “Max. Units” field, and click “OK.”

What are the potential drawbacks of turning off resource leveling?

Turning off resource leveling may result in overallocation of resources, which can lead to delays and inefficiencies in project execution. It may also make it more difficult to manage resource availability and identify potential conflicts.

Are there any alternatives to turning off resource leveling?

Instead of turning off resource leveling completely, you can consider using a combination of leveling options and manual adjustments to achieve your desired resource allocation. For example, you can level only specific tasks or resources, or set leveling constraints to limit the extent to which Project can adjust task schedules.

How can I prevent overallocation without using resource leveling?

To prevent overallocation without using resource leveling, you can manually monitor resource availability and adjust task assignments as needed. You can also use techniques such as resource smoothing, task splitting, or increasing resource capacity to balance resource utilization.

Is it possible to turn off resource leveling for specific tasks or resources only?

Yes, you can turn off resource leveling for specific tasks or resources by selecting them and choosing “Do not level” from the Leveling dropdown menu in the Task or Resource Information dialog box.