Forum Discussion
Resource Usage project links
Hi all,
In the Resource Usage window, the column Projects remains showing links to old and deleted projects. My resouces are shown as allocated but the project file no longer exists. Does anyone know how I can clean this up and improve my resource usage? As you see in the screen shot, the same thing is shown several times, but is actually referring to the samen file, just given a new name. Other times, it's a file which has been deleted (no longer needed).
Thank you in advance!
Best regards, Amanda
6 Replies
This problem occurred because the deleted files were not correctly un-linked from either a resource pool or a dynamic master which resulted in link fragments (i.e. corruption).
What is the structure you have (i.e. resource pool, dynamic master or combination)? That will allow us to give you the best approach to clean up the link structure corruption.
It would also be helpful to know which version of Project you are using.
John
Dear John,
Thank you kindly for your help!
I am using Project version 2008. I didn’t realise I needed to unlink the subprojects. I just deleted them from my portfolio “project”. I am using a resource pool at the moment (but an not sure what a dynamic master is).
I look forward to learning more! Thank you!
First of all there is no Project 2008, it's either Project 2007 or Project 2010, or perhaps an older or newer version.
A dynamic master is created when you insert two or more projects into a master via the "Insert Subproject" feature. That creates a linked structure. Putting several Project files into a portfolio does not create a master but your original post was not clear on exactly what you have so I had to ask.
Using a resource pool creates another type of linked structure where in the pool file is linked to each of the sharer files. In a linked structure, both the source (pool) and destination (sharer) files contain a link element. If you simply delete a sharer file the destination link is broken but the source link in the pool file still remains (link fragment). These link fragments lead to corruption of the structure.
Not knowing how badly the link structure might be compromised I suggest you do a full purge and re-build.
1. Open the resource pool file
2. Open a project file that uses the pool file resources and change that file to "use own resources".
3. Save and close the project file
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all files that use the resource pool
5. Open a new blank project and insert the resource pool file as a subproject
6. Double click on the summary line insertion point to open the Inserted Project Information window
7. Click the "Advanced" tab
8. Uncheck the Link to Project option and hit "OK"
9. Save As that file to your pool file name (replace)
10. Open each Project file you want to link to the resource pool file and set up resources to "Use resources from the pool file".
That should give you a new clean structure. In the future, if you want to remove a sharer file from the pool, be sure to unlink it from the pool (i.e. "use own resources") and then save the pool file and save or delete the project file you are removing.
Hope this helps.
John
