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Dealing with constraints

Got a problem ?​

When attempting to schedule the tasks within a project plan, UltimPM considers constraints in order to optimize the sequence of tasks.

In some cases, UltimPM can't find a suitable sequence for the tasks in the project plan that complies with all those constraints.

It either assigns tasks to resources that don't have the right skills, or it fails to schedule tasks so that they are accomplished before their drop dead end date.

So what do we do then ?

Add resources​

There might not be enough resources to be assigned to the tasks in the project and therefore UltimPM resolves to assign tasks to resources that don't have the required skill, or it can't find a sequence of tasks where all tasks are accomplished before their drop dead end date.

In this case, the easy fix is to increase the pool of available resources UltimPM can assign tasks to.

  • Add resources in the resource project and assign the skills that might be deficient on the current set of resources.

Add time​

There might not be enough time for all the tasks to be accomplished before their drop dead end date. UltimPM therefore might resolve to assign tasks to resouces that don't have the required skill, or it can't find a sequence of tasks where they are accomplished before their individual drop dead end date.

In this case, the easy fix is to allow some of the tasks to end at a later point in time.

  • Change the drop dead end date of several tasks.

Add both​

When a suitable plan schedule can't be found, it might be worthwhile adding resources with suitable skills as well as considering accepting the delay of some of the tasks in the plan.