Multiple projects

Hi Anjani

There are two approaches to combining projects.

A quick way is to go to the Project Ribbon and choose Insert Project then browse for the file you would like to include.

MS Project will combine them. If there are subsequent changes made to the sub-project these will automatically appear in the combined file.

The only downside of this approach is that assigned resources are not tracked across the combined project, they are treated as separate instances which means we can't track work load for a resource across multiple projects.

The alternative approach is to share the same team members across multiple sub projects.

To set this up first create a Resource pool which is a central file containing the people that will work across the projects. To make this file create a new Project document then switch straight to the resource sheet and enter your resources. Avoid adding any tasks to this document. Save the Resource Pool file and keep it open.

Now the team are read to be assigned open one of the project files and go to the Resource ribbon. Click Resource Pool > Share Resources then from the dialog box choose to use resources from the resource pool file (which is still open in the background) and click OK.

Go ahead and assign your resources and save both documents.

If you add a plan that already has resources they will be added to automatically to the Resource Pool.

Bear in mind though that once a project has been connected to the resource pool you can only add new resources to the Resource Pool document.

The next time you open the resource pool you will be offered three choices. The last entry opens the resource pool in editable mode and also creates a merged file with all the sharer files already inserted. This combined plan shows the all the projects using resources from the pool.

I hope this is helpful - if you have any questions please do let me know.


Kind regards,
Andrew