{"id":682,"date":"2024-10-07T09:00:12","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T07:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/?p=682"},"modified":"2025-08-07T11:56:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T09:56:53","slug":"resource-engagements-in-ms-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/resource-engagements-in-ms-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 What They Are, How to Use Them and a Better Alternative"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Do you work in a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Matrix_management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">matrix environment<\/a> and use MS Project? If so, you will be familiar with this problem. As a project manager, requesting <strong>resource engagements in MS Project<\/strong> for their projects from <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.cambridge.org\/dictionary\/english\/line-manager\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">line managers<\/a> used to be impossible. They had to use other channels.<\/p>\n<p>This changed with <strong>Microsoft Project Professional 2016 or Project Online<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Starting with these versions, the tool has offered the new feature <em>Resource Engagements<\/em>. The feature is only available in combination with Project Online or Project Server. It acts as a <strong>direct communication channel<\/strong> between project managers and team leaders when coordinating the team members working on projects.<\/p>\n<p>This article tells you step by step how to use this<strong> feature to coordinate resources between project and line management<\/strong> and what to bear in mind.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter1\"><em>Resource Engagements<\/em> in MS Project from Version 2016<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter2\">Notes on <em>Resource Engagements<\/em> in MS Project from Version 2016<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter3\">What could be a solution for tactical resource planning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter4\">How to work with <em>Resource Engagements<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter5\">The project manager\u2019s request<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter6\">The team leader\u2019s view and response<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter7\">Functional limitations of the feature <em>Resource Engagements<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter8\">Including operations for complete capacity planning<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter9\">The project manager\u2019s view after approval<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter10\">The practical alternative: TPG CoReSuite Team Manager App<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Chapter11\">Conclusion \u2013 <em>Resource Engagements<\/em> in Microsoft Project<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Please note:<\/strong> Are you already familiar with <strong>earlier versions of Microsoft Project<\/strong>? The new feature <em>Resource Engagements<\/em> replaces the hitherto existing <em>Resource Plans<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter1\">Resource Engagements in MS Project from Version 2016<\/h2>\n<p>Project managers can send line managers resource requests for the desired project team members \u2013 irrespective of their prior planning. They propose which resources they could use for their projects over what time period.<\/p>\n<div id=\"id69573beb9bf16\" class=\"iframecontainer iframecontainer--hidden\">\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__head\" style=\"background: #D60B52!important;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__inner\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9bf16\">\n                    <p><strong>Free PDF Download: <\/strong> MS Project Tutorial \u2013 11 Steps to Your Perfect MS Project Plan<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9bf16\">\n                    <svg width=\"10px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"1092 550 10 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n                        <polygon class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon__pfeil\"  data-for=\"#id69573beb9bf16\" stroke=\"none\" fill=\"#ffffff\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"1093.875 550 1101.875 558 1093.875 566 1092 564.125 1098.125 558 1092 551.875\"><\/polygon>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe__inner\">\n                    <p>Are you a MS Project beginner? In this case, this Tutorial is just the right reading for you. In 11 simple steps, you will get to know the most important MS Project basics for creating your project plan. Please fill in the form to download.<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\">* Required Fields\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/data-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Data Protection<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-marketing\">This form is blocked by your cookie settings to our website. Please <a>click here<\/a> and select at least the marketing cookies. Then this form will be visible. Thanks a lot.<\/div>\n\n                \t<!-- ENGLISCH Wichtig: nur den Code in download-asset \u00e4ndern - definiert Download -->\r\n<script type='text\/x-ccm-loader' data-ccm-loader-src=\"https:\/\/js-eu1.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/developer\/146642994.js\" defer><\/script>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hs-form-html\"\r\n     data-download-asset=\"CU9E\"\r\n     data-region=\"eu1\"\r\n     data-form-id=\"ed0008c7-47d5-4c2e-ad2f-000bd95b74c5\"\r\n     data-portal-id=\"146642994\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n(() => {\r\n  const FORM_ID = 'ed0008c7-47d5-4c2e-ad2f-000bd95b74c5';\r\n  const FIELD   = '0-1\/download_asset';\r\n  const roots   = new Set();\r\n  const formsByRoot = new WeakMap();\r\n\r\n  const setViaApi = (root) => {\r\n    const code = root.dataset.downloadAsset || '';\r\n    const form = formsByRoot.get(root);\r\n    if (!code || !form) return;\r\n    form.setFieldValue(FIELD, code);\r\n  };\r\n\r\n  window.addEventListener('hs-form-event:on-ready', (event) => {\r\n    if (!window.HubSpotFormsV4) return;\r\n    const form = HubSpotFormsV4.getFormFromEvent(event);\r\n    if (!form || form.getFormId() !== FORM_ID) return;\r\n\r\n    const root = [...roots].find(r => r.contains(event.target));\r\n    if (!root) return;\r\n\r\n    formsByRoot.set(root, form);\r\n    setViaApi(root);\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  window.addEventListener('message', (event) => {\r\n    const d = event.data;\r\n    if (!d || d.type !== 'hsFormCallback' || d.eventName !== 'onFormSubmit') return;\r\n    if (d.id !== FORM_ID) return;\r\n\r\n    roots.forEach(setViaApi);\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {\r\n    document.querySelectorAll('.hs-form-html[data-download-asset][data-form-id=\"' + FORM_ID + '\"]')\r\n      .forEach(r => roots.add(r));\r\n  });\r\n})();\r\n<\/script>\n                    <style>\/* Kompaktere Darstellung f\u00fcr HubSpot Formulare *\/\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-Step .hsfc-Step__Content { padding: 0 20px 20px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=Renderer] .hsfc-TextField>*:not(:last-child) { margin-bottom:4px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-Row { gap: 20px !important; margin-bottom: 12px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-NavigationRow { margin-top: 6px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-TextInput { padding: 8px !important; }<\/style>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_683\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-683\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_1.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Schematized resource request by the project manager\" width=\"700\" height=\"355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_1.png 1696w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_1-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_1-768x389.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_1-1024x519.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_1-164x82.png 164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-683\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Schematized resource request by the project manager<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Subsequently, the team leaders get to see these requests in the Project Web Access. Now they can handle the <em>Resource Engagements<\/em>. They either accept them fully or in part or otherwise reject them entirely.<\/p>\n<p>Their response is returned to the project. Thus, the project manager receives feedback, also through comments.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_684\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-684\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_2.png\" alt=\"Schematized response from the line manager (Ellen 100% commitment, Elias reduced commitment)\" width=\"700\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_2.png 1704w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_2-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_2-768x387.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_2-1024x516.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Figure_2-164x82.png 164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-684\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Schematized response from the line manager (Ellen 100% commitment, Elias reduced commitment)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote><p>Planning a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/resource-planning-implementation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>resource planning implemenation<\/strong><\/a>? <strong>Find out how to do it fast and well!<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You will find an overview of the most important properties of the <em>Resource Engagements<\/em> in MS Project 2016 below.<\/p>\n<p>After this, we list the capabilities we find indispensable in a top tool for tactical resource planning between project and line managers.<\/p>\n<p>This gives you an overview of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What Microsoft Project currently offers<\/li>\n<li>Where there is still room for improvement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n    <p class=\"datamintsbanner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/project-management-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"datamintsbanner__link\" title=\"Project Management Newsletter TPG PMO Resource Management Agile PM Project Projects Projectmanager Projectmanagementoffice\" style=\"display: block;\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/TPG_Banner-Blog_1400_Newsletter_EN.jpg\" class=\"datamintsbanner__image\" style=\"display: block; max-width: 100%\">\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n    \n<h2 id=\"Chapter2\">Notes on Resource Engagements in MS Project from Version 2016<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Actual resource utilization:<\/strong> The team leader lacks the overview of the actual resource utilization. This has a reason: activities outside of projects such as absences and operations cannot be planned here. The team leader still has to plan these in line projects.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Booking resources:<\/strong> The team leader can also create new engagements for an existing project without prior request. But it is impossible to book resources for future projects which have not been added to the Project Server yet.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Parallel planning:<\/strong> Requests and commitments always exist in parallel to project planning. They cannot be automatically synchronized.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Resource engagements<\/strong> can only be created in relation to projects and not per task. But this is not sufficient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"id69573beb9c0c3\" class=\"iframecontainer iframecontainer--hidden\">\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__head\" style=\"background: #D60B52!important;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__inner\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c0c3\">\n                    <p><strong>Special Download: <\/strong> Advantages of MS Project Server \/ Project Online over MS Project Standard<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c0c3\">\n                    <svg width=\"10px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"1092 550 10 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n                        <polygon class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon__pfeil\"  data-for=\"#id69573beb9c0c3\" stroke=\"none\" fill=\"#ffffff\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"1093.875 550 1101.875 558 1093.875 566 1092 564.125 1098.125 558 1092 551.875\"><\/polygon>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe\" style=\"height: 250px;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe__inner\">\n                \t<p>Please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/data\/Downloads_Produkte\/Benefits-Microsoft-Project-Server-or-Project-Online-E_TPG-TheProjectGroup.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here to download the PDF<\/a>\u00a0and learn why you should prefer the server over the client version.<\/p>\n\n                    <iframe src=\"https:\/\/\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 250px;\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><h2 id=\"Chapter3\">What Could Be a Solution for Tactical Resource Planning<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Direct requests from the detailed plan:<\/strong> Project managers should be able to send requests to team leaders directly from their project plans. This would save time, as they would not have to administer requests separately in an additional view.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Absences and operations:<\/strong> Team leaders should use a tool made especially for their tasks. It should allow them to administer operations, absences, and project activities. The requests for projects should be directly visible in this tool.\u00a0It should allow them\u00a0to easily make commitments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Booking resources:<\/strong> Bookings for future projects should be possible, even before these have been set up on the Project Server.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Status of resource utilization:<\/strong> The status of both resource utilization and project requests should be indicated by a combined traffic light view.<\/li>\n<li><strong> Priorities:<\/strong> It should be possible to transfer commitments for prioritized projects automatically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>Reading tip: <strong>All you need to know about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/project-for-the-web-becoming-planner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Project for the Web Becoming Planner<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter4\">How to Work with Resource Engagements<\/h2>\n<p>Below you find\u00a0a simple example of the process in Microsoft Project 2016. The project manager\u2019s request and the team leader\u2019s response are outlined step by step.<\/p>\n<p>Please note that you may need to <a href=\"https:\/\/support.office.com\/en-us\/article\/Activate-resource-engagements-in-Project-Online-488db381-8498-44d9-b76c-69f45f26132b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">activate this function<\/a> by choosing:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><em>Settings<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>PWA Settings<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Additional Server Settings<\/em> (in the section <em>Operational Policies)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter5\">The Project Manager\u2019s Request<\/h2>\n<p>Here is what you do as a project manager. After creating the project plan and assigning resources, you select the view <em>Resource Plan<\/em> (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_685\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-685\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic001ViewResourcePlan.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-685\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic001ViewResourcePlan.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Selecting the view Resource Plan\" width=\"700\" height=\"68\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic001ViewResourcePlan.png 1914w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic001ViewResourcePlan-300x29.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic001ViewResourcePlan-768x74.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic001ViewResourcePlan-1024x99.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-685\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Selecting the view Resource Plan (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the view <em>Resource Plan<\/em>, you can find the new commands in the ribbon <em>Engagements.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"id69573beb9c1d2\" class=\"iframecontainer iframecontainer--hidden\">\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__head\" style=\"background: #D60B52!important;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__inner\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c1d2\">\n                    <p><strong>Free Download:<\/strong> How to Manage Tactical Resource Management (eBook)<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c1d2\">\n                    <svg width=\"10px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"1092 550 10 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n                        <polygon class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon__pfeil\"  data-for=\"#id69573beb9c1d2\" stroke=\"none\" fill=\"#ffffff\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"1093.875 550 1101.875 558 1093.875 566 1092 564.125 1098.125 558 1092 551.875\"><\/polygon>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe__inner\">\n                    <p>How you make resource coordination between project and line management work smoothly: lots of practical tips and checklists on how to set this up quickly yourself (Processes &amp; Tools).<\/p>\n\n                \t<!-- ENGLISCH Wichtig: nur den Code in download-asset \u00e4ndern - definiert Download -->\r\n<script type='text\/x-ccm-loader' data-ccm-loader-src=\"https:\/\/js-eu1.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/developer\/146642994.js\" defer><\/script>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hs-form-html\"\r\n     data-download-asset=\"CU13E\"\r\n     data-region=\"eu1\"\r\n     data-form-id=\"ed0008c7-47d5-4c2e-ad2f-000bd95b74c5\"\r\n     data-portal-id=\"146642994\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n(() => {\r\n  const FORM_ID = 'ed0008c7-47d5-4c2e-ad2f-000bd95b74c5';\r\n  const FIELD   = '0-1\/download_asset';\r\n  const roots   = new Set();\r\n  const formsByRoot = new WeakMap();\r\n\r\n  const setViaApi = (root) => {\r\n    const code = root.dataset.downloadAsset || '';\r\n    const form = formsByRoot.get(root);\r\n    if (!code || !form) return;\r\n    form.setFieldValue(FIELD, code);\r\n  };\r\n\r\n  window.addEventListener('hs-form-event:on-ready', (event) => {\r\n    if (!window.HubSpotFormsV4) return;\r\n    const form = HubSpotFormsV4.getFormFromEvent(event);\r\n    if (!form || form.getFormId() !== FORM_ID) return;\r\n\r\n    const root = [...roots].find(r => r.contains(event.target));\r\n    if (!root) return;\r\n\r\n    formsByRoot.set(root, form);\r\n    setViaApi(root);\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  window.addEventListener('message', (event) => {\r\n    const d = event.data;\r\n    if (!d || d.type !== 'hsFormCallback' || d.eventName !== 'onFormSubmit') return;\r\n    if (d.id !== FORM_ID) return;\r\n\r\n    roots.forEach(setViaApi);\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {\r\n    document.querySelectorAll('.hs-form-html[data-download-asset][data-form-id=\"' + FORM_ID + '\"]')\r\n      .forEach(r => roots.add(r));\r\n  });\r\n})();\r\n<\/script>\n                    <style>\/* Kompaktere Darstellung f\u00fcr HubSpot Formulare *\/\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-Step .hsfc-Step__Content { padding: 0 20px 20px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=Renderer] .hsfc-TextField>*:not(:last-child) { margin-bottom:4px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-Row { gap: 20px !important; margin-bottom: 12px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-NavigationRow { margin-top: 6px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-TextInput { padding: 8px !important; }<\/style>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><p>Click <em>Add Engagement<\/em> in the ribbon <em>Engagements<\/em> to open the dialog box <em>Engagement Information<\/em> (see figure below). The name of the resource selected under <em>Engagements<\/em> appears in the dialog box field <em>Resource<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Enter <em>Description<\/em>, <em>Start<\/em> and <em>Finish<\/em> of the assignment period. Select the desired allocation by <em>Units<\/em> in % or <em>Work<\/em> in hours and enter a value. You can add optional <em>Comments<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_687\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-687\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic002AddEngagement.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-687\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic002AddEngagement.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Add Engagement\" width=\"700\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic002AddEngagement.png 1310w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic002AddEngagement-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic002AddEngagement-768x528.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic002AddEngagement-1024x704.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-687\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Add Engagement (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Once you have created <em>Resource Engagements<\/em>, these are shown in the view <em>Resource Plan<\/em> per resource (see figure below). The table on the left gives you information such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The resource\u2019s <em>Name<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Proposed Start<\/em>, <em>Finish<\/em> and <em>Max Units<\/em> of your request<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the section on the right, you can see the <em>Prop. Max Units<\/em> on a timeline. You could also display for comparison:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Proposed Work<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Work<\/em> planned in the tasks<\/li>\n<li>Other fields<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Unfortunately, the view <em>Resource Plan<\/em> cannot be combined with other views.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have created all required resource engagements, you need to submit them to the team leader for approval. You will find the respective menu item in the ribbon <em>Engagements<\/em> (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_690\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-690\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic003SubmitAllEngagements.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-690\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic003SubmitAllEngagements.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Submit Engagements\" width=\"700\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic003SubmitAllEngagements.png 1225w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic003SubmitAllEngagements-300x142.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic003SubmitAllEngagements-768x364.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic003SubmitAllEngagements-1024x486.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-690\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Submit Engagements (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter6\">The Team Leader\u2019s View and Response<\/h2>\n<p>After the project manager has sent the <em>Resource Requests<\/em>, the team leader can see them in the Resource Center of the Project Web App. Here is what you do as a team leader. After selecting the resources you want to look at, select <em>Resource Requests<\/em> (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_691\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-691\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic004ResourceSelection.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-691\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic004ResourceSelection.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Selecting Resource Requests\" width=\"700\" height=\"161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic004ResourceSelection.png 1722w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic004ResourceSelection-300x69.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic004ResourceSelection-768x177.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic004ResourceSelection-1024x235.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-691\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Selecting Resource Requests (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You can see all <em>Resource Requests<\/em> for the resources you selected. The column <em>State<\/em> (see figure below) tells you whether you have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Already accepted the request<\/li>\n<li>Already rejected the request<\/li>\n<li>Not yet handled the request<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Select <em>Timephased Data<\/em> to analyze the requests on the time line (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_694\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-694\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic005Requests.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-694\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic005Requests.png\" alt=\"Using Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Resource Requests in the view Timephased Data\" width=\"700\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic005Requests.png 1478w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic005Requests-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic005Requests-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic005Requests-1024x558.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-694\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Resource Requests in the view Timephased Data (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This view also shows information regarding the:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>State of the request in the <em>State<\/em> column<\/li>\n<li><em>Committed Units<\/em>, <em>Start<\/em> and <em>Finish<\/em> dates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can select <em>Resource Requests<\/em> in order to accept or reject them. In addition, you can override the information in the time phases.<\/p>\n<p>The options <em>Filter<\/em> and <em>Group By<\/em> allow you to select the way in which the required information is presented. Select the ribbon <em>Options<\/em> to define what date range and units to display.<\/p>\n<p>After\u00a0clicking <em>Accept<\/em> or <em>Reject<\/em> in response to a <em>Resource Request<\/em> (see figure above), you have the option to enter <em>Comments<\/em> (see figure below).<\/p>\n<p>Note that you must select a request first in order to activate this function.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_693\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-693\" style=\"width: 575px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic006ConfirmAcceptCommnent.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-693 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic006ConfirmAcceptCommnent.png\" alt=\"Entering Comments regarding request\" width=\"575\" height=\"324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic006ConfirmAcceptCommnent.png 575w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic006ConfirmAcceptCommnent-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-693\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Entering Comments (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"id69573beb9c334\" class=\"iframecontainer iframecontainer--hidden\">\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__head\" style=\"background: #D60B52!important;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__inner\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c334\">\n                    <p><strong>Special Download: <\/strong> Resource Planning Software for the Roles Involved (PDF file)<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c334\">\n                    <svg width=\"10px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"1092 550 10 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n                        <polygon class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon__pfeil\"  data-for=\"#id69573beb9c334\" stroke=\"none\" fill=\"#ffffff\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"1093.875 550 1101.875 558 1093.875 566 1092 564.125 1098.125 558 1092 551.875\"><\/polygon>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe__inner\">\n                    <p>Please fill in the form.<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: xx-small;\">* Required Fields\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/data-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Data Protection<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-marketing\">This form is blocked by your cookie settings to our website. Please <a>click here<\/a> and select at least the marketing cookies. Then this form will be visible. Thanks a lot.<\/div>\n\n                \t<!-- ENGLISCH Wichtig: nur den Code in download-asset \u00e4ndern - definiert Download -->\r\n<script type='text\/x-ccm-loader' data-ccm-loader-src=\"https:\/\/js-eu1.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/developer\/146642994.js\" defer><\/script>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"hs-form-html\"\r\n     data-download-asset=\"CU8E\"\r\n     data-region=\"eu1\"\r\n     data-form-id=\"ed0008c7-47d5-4c2e-ad2f-000bd95b74c5\"\r\n     data-portal-id=\"146642994\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n(() => {\r\n  const FORM_ID = 'ed0008c7-47d5-4c2e-ad2f-000bd95b74c5';\r\n  const FIELD   = '0-1\/download_asset';\r\n  const roots   = new Set();\r\n  const formsByRoot = new WeakMap();\r\n\r\n  const setViaApi = (root) => {\r\n    const code = root.dataset.downloadAsset || '';\r\n    const form = formsByRoot.get(root);\r\n    if (!code || !form) return;\r\n    form.setFieldValue(FIELD, code);\r\n  };\r\n\r\n  window.addEventListener('hs-form-event:on-ready', (event) => {\r\n    if (!window.HubSpotFormsV4) return;\r\n    const form = HubSpotFormsV4.getFormFromEvent(event);\r\n    if (!form || form.getFormId() !== FORM_ID) return;\r\n\r\n    const root = [...roots].find(r => r.contains(event.target));\r\n    if (!root) return;\r\n\r\n    formsByRoot.set(root, form);\r\n    setViaApi(root);\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  window.addEventListener('message', (event) => {\r\n    const d = event.data;\r\n    if (!d || d.type !== 'hsFormCallback' || d.eventName !== 'onFormSubmit') return;\r\n    if (d.id !== FORM_ID) return;\r\n\r\n    roots.forEach(setViaApi);\r\n  });\r\n\r\n  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {\r\n    document.querySelectorAll('.hs-form-html[data-download-asset][data-form-id=\"' + FORM_ID + '\"]')\r\n      .forEach(r => roots.add(r));\r\n  });\r\n})();\r\n<\/script>\n                    <style>\/* Kompaktere Darstellung f\u00fcr HubSpot Formulare *\/\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-Step .hsfc-Step__Content { padding: 0 20px 20px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=Renderer] .hsfc-TextField>*:not(:last-child) { margin-bottom:4px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-Row { gap: 20px !important; margin-bottom: 12px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-NavigationRow { margin-top: 6px !important; }\n[data-hsfc-id=\"Renderer\"] .hsfc-TextInput { padding: 8px !important; }<\/style>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><h4>The New View<em> Capacity and Engagements Heatmap<\/em> for the Team Leader<\/h4>\n<p>You can check beforehand if the capacity is sufficient for a new engagement. To do this, select the view <em>Capacity Planning<\/em> (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_695\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-695\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic007SwitchToCapacityPlanning.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-695\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic007SwitchToCapacityPlanning.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Resource Requests in the view Timephased Data\" width=\"700\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic007SwitchToCapacityPlanning.png 1916w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic007SwitchToCapacityPlanning-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic007SwitchToCapacityPlanning-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic007SwitchToCapacityPlanning-1024x429.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-695\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Resource Requests in the view Timephased Data (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The<em> Capacity Planning<\/em> view allows you to choose another view called <em>Capacity and Engagements Heatmap<\/em> (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_698\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-698\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic008SelectViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-698\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic008SelectViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Selecting the new view Capacity and Engagements Heatmap\" width=\"700\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic008SelectViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap.png 1042w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic008SelectViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap-300x82.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic008SelectViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap-768x211.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic008SelectViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap-1024x281.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-698\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Selecting the new view Capacity and Engagements Heatmap (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To display the outstanding requests for analysis, activate the checkbox <em>Include proposed bookings<\/em> (in the view <em>Capacity and Engagements Heatmap)<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The standard settings (see figure below) present underloads exceeding the value 10% in blue. Overloads of over 10% are marked in red. The corresponding time period is presented in green:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>if the sum equals the request<\/li>\n<li>with a maximum upward or downward tolerance of 10%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Customize the % thresholds to your requirements directly in the menu.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_699\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-699\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic009ViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-699\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic009ViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap.png\" alt=\"View Capacity and Engagements Heatmap including proposed bookings\" width=\"700\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic009ViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap.png 1841w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic009ViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap-300x92.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic009ViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap-768x235.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic009ViewCapacityEngagementHeatmap-1024x314.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-699\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: View Capacity and Engagements Heatmap including proposed bookings (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n    <p class=\"datamintsbanner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/ebook.theprojectgroup.com\/resource-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"datamintsbanner__link\" title=\"Free eBook Download How to Master the Resource Coordination between Project and Line Management\" style=\"display: block;\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/08\/TPG_Banner-Blog_1400_eBook-Tactical-Resource-Planning_EN.jpg\" class=\"datamintsbanner__image\" style=\"display: block; max-width: 100%\">\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n    \n<h2 id=\"Chapter7\">Functional Limitations of the Feature Resource Engagements<\/h2>\n<p>As mentioned above, resource requests are created in parallel to project planning.<\/p>\n<p>This means that the view <em>Capacity and Engagements Heatmap<\/em> will not contain any information about resource assignments in project plans (of the corresponding projects or others).<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, you will not find information regarding the <em>Resource Requests<\/em> of the projects in the four hitherto existing capacity planning views:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Resource Utilization<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Resource Utilization by Project<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Remaining Availability<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Work by Resource<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Note:<\/strong> To still attain a coherent capacity overview, all project managers have to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>consistently update the resource request when they modify their detailed plan<\/li>\n<li>always submit them for approval<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This also applies when an entire project is postponed. In this case, it is necessary to update every single resource request. The automatic transfer from the detailed plan would be a logical function but is unfortunately not available.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Furthermore, the line manager has to make sure there is a resource request for every detailed plan.<\/p>\n<p>There is a way of enforcing this. Activate the new option <em>Resource requires approval for all project assignments<\/em> in the <em>Edit Resource<\/em> view. Repeat this step for all resources requiring this type of capacity monitoring.<\/p>\n<p>If you activate this option, the project manager receives an alert whenever a resource assignment is insufficient (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_700\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-700\" style=\"width: 507px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic010WarningAssignmentNeedsEngagement.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-700 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic010WarningAssignmentNeedsEngagement.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Insufficient resource assignment\" width=\"507\" height=\"147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic010WarningAssignmentNeedsEngagement.png 507w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic010WarningAssignmentNeedsEngagement-300x87.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-700\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Insufficient resource assignment in MS Project (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter8\">Including\u00a0Operations for Complete Capacity Planning<\/h2>\n<p>You may want to allow for\u00a0operations in order to attain complete capacity planning. For this, you can use option\u00a01 or option\u00a02:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Set the maximum capacity of resources to the percentage you anticipate for project activities (i.e. 80% instead of 100% for full-time employees). This value will also be set for the views:\n<ul>\n<li><em>Resource Utilization <\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Resource Utilization by Project <\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Remaining Availability<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em> Work by Resource<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Create one project per team for operations. In this project, you plan those operations which are unrelated to projects.<br \/>\nYou may also want to show these activities in the <em>Resource Requests<\/em> view. To do this, you would have to create resource requests for each of them. This is cumbersome.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>All capacity-planning views include absences defined in the resource calendars. This is irrespective of the focus on resource requests or project planning.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>You might also like: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/earned-value-analysis-with-microsoft-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MS Project Tip about Earned Value Analysis \u2013 Read now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Yet nowhere are the absences designated as such in contrast to the capacities. This complicates the rescheduling of vacation. Therefore, it is usually easier to plan absences as tasks in a team project.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter9\">The Project Manager\u2019s View after Approval<\/h2>\n<p>The team leader has accepted the <em>Resource Request<\/em>. The project manager can see this upon next opening the project plan.<\/p>\n<p>It is also possible to track the approval state while working on a project. Click <em>Refresh<\/em> in the ribbon <em>Engagements<\/em> to do this (see Figure 13).<\/p>\n<p>You can identify accepted engagements by the value <em>Committed<\/em> in the column <em>Engagement Status<\/em> (in the view <em>Resource Plan)<\/em>. In addition, you can find the data approved by the line manager in the column <em>Com. Max Units<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>If you double-click on an engagement, you can see all comments in the communication (see figure below).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_701\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-701\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic011CommittedRequestsProjectProfessional.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-701\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic011CommittedRequestsProjectProfessional.png\" alt=\"Resource Engagements in MS Project \u2013 Approved Resource Requests\" width=\"700\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic011CommittedRequestsProjectProfessional.png 1450w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic011CommittedRequestsProjectProfessional-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic011CommittedRequestsProjectProfessional-768x492.png 768w, https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/04\/Pic011CommittedRequestsProjectProfessional-1024x655.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-701\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure: Approved Resource Requests (click image to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But one thing you will look for in vain. There is no direct juxtaposition of the work in the detailed plan and the requests or commitments. Unfortunately, the project manager can only access this information in separate rows. There is neither a display of the difference nor a heatmap.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter10\">The Practical Alternative: TPG CoReSuite Team Manager App<\/h2>\n<p>Unlike <em>Resource\u00a0Engagements<\/em> in MS Project, TPG CoReSuite Team Manager App does not require<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/team-management-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> parallel editing of detailed plans and resource requests<\/a>. The resource requirements for a project result directly from the detailed plan. They are aggregated at project level.<\/p>\n<p>According to preference, TPG CoReSuite Team Manager App works with or without Project Server or Project Online. This means you can start managing your resources straight away by maintaining the team leaders\u2019 data manually at first.<\/p>\n<p>Only later do you link this information to Project Server or Project Online. Projects and resources are consolidated by their names.<\/p>\n\n    <p class=\"datamintsbanner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/4b3Fx51\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"datamintsbanner__link\" title=\"The comprehensive Resource Management Tool\" style=\"display: block;\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/Banner-TPG-CoReSuite-EN-6-2024.png\" class=\"datamintsbanner__image\" style=\"display: block; max-width: 100%\">\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n    \n<blockquote>\n<h3>TPG CoReSuite Team Manager App at a Glance<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Resource requests do not have to be created separately.<\/li>\n<li>Team leaders do not have to maintain line projects in Project Professional.<\/li>\n<li>Resources and projects from Project Server or Project Online can be imported depending on access privileges.<\/li>\n<li>If project tasks have been postponed the changes are saved and highlighted for better visibility.<br \/>\nYou can add absences as well as general and individual\u00a0operations manually or import them from other sources.<\/li>\n<li>The requirements are contrasted with the requests in a color-configurable overview.<\/li>\n<li>One view shows the states of resource utilization and project commitments side by side. This provides an optimal overview to facilitate the team leader\u2019s decisions.<\/li>\n<li>Utilization charts aid with the analysis. For the display, it is possible to activate any desired projects and resources.<\/li>\n<li>The sums of the teams can be aggregated bottom-up to a department overview and can be analyzed from there via drill-down.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"Chapter11\">Conclusion \u2013 Resource Engagements in Microsoft Project<\/h2>\n<p><em>Resource Engagements<\/em> in Microsoft Project Professional or Project Online are a function extension. Their purpose is to support communication in a matrix organization. This article has taught you how project managers and team leaders can use the function for their coordination process.<\/p>\n<p>As a <strong>project manager<\/strong> you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>plan with resources<\/li>\n<li>deduct your resource request accordingly<\/li>\n<li>submit the request to the respective line manager<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As a <strong>line manager<\/strong> you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>regard these resource requests as proposals<\/li>\n<li>can accept, change, or even reject the request<\/li>\n<li>return your response to the project level<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You have also learned that this Microsoft Project feature does not provide all that is necessary for the coordination process between project and line managers.<\/p>\n<p>Project managers and team leaders still have to close the gap between what they have and what they need. They are required to manually synchronize the results from their resource requests with their detailed plans. This is the only way to obtain a reliable source of information.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, you have learned about TPG CoReSuite Team Manager App, a practical alternative to MS Project <em>Resource Engagements<\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Our final tips<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Get to know the individually adaptable \u201cPPM Paradise\u201d \u2013 the optimal environment for your enterprise-wide project, program, portfolio and resource management. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/data\/Downloads_eBooks\/TPG_PPM_Paradise_eBook_EN_-_TPG_TheProjectGroup.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download the eBook now<\/a> (just click, no form).<\/p>\n<p>And sign up for our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/project-management-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bi-weekly blog newsletter<\/a> to make sure you receive all our updates.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Do you use the <em>Resource Engagements<\/em> feature in Microsoft Project? What is your experience? We look forward to reading your comments below!<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"id69573beb9c562\" class=\"iframecontainer iframecontainer--hidden\">\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__head\" style=\"background: #D60B52!important;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__inner\" style=\"color:#ffffff;\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c562\">\n                    <p><strong>Subscribe to TPG BlogInfo:<\/strong> Never miss new practice-oriented tips &amp; tricks<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon\" data-for=\"#id69573beb9c562\">\n                    <svg width=\"10px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"1092 550 10 16\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">\n                        <polygon class=\"iframecontainer__head__icon__pfeil\"  data-for=\"#id69573beb9c562\" stroke=\"none\" fill=\"#ffffff\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"1093.875 550 1101.875 558 1093.875 566 1092 564.125 1098.125 558 1092 551.875\"><\/polygon>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe\" style=\"height: 520px;\">\n                <div class=\"iframecontainer__iframe__inner\">\n                \t<p>Every other week: Receive practical tips in TPG blog posts written by recognized experts in project, portfolio, and resource management.<br \/>\n* Required Fields\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/en\/data-protection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Data Protection<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"cookieconsent-optout-marketing\">This form is blocked by your cookie settings to our website. Please <a>click here<\/a> and select at least the marketing cookies. Then this form will be visible. Thanks a lot.<\/div>\n\n                    <iframe src=\"https:\/\/scnem.com\/art_resource.php?sid=hqvs9.qdei48\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 520px;\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div><div class=\"row cf\"><div class=\"column half\">\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Achim_Schmidt-Sibeth2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-5870 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Johann-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"Johann Strasser, The Project Group\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><strong>Johann Strasser<br \/>\n<\/strong><em>Managing Partner at TPG<\/em><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The certified engineer, has been a managing partner at TPG The Project Group since 2001. After many years as a development engineer in the automotive and energy sectors, Johann Strasser spent a decade as an independent trainer and consultant in the field of project management. During his tenure, he also served as project manager for software projects in the construction industry and provided scheduling and cost management support for large-scale construction projects. At TPG, he applies his expertise in product development and consulting services for international clients. His special focus is on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/pmo-project-management-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PMO<\/a>, project portfolios, hybrid project management, and resource management. For many years now, he has shared his knowledge through presentations, seminars, articles, and webinars.<\/p>\n<p>Read more about Johann Strasser on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/johann-strasser\/?originalSubdomain=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xing.com\/profile\/Johann_Strasser4\/cv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">XING.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"column half\">\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/AchimS-200x200-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10753 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/AchimS-200x200-2-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><strong>Achim Schmidt-Sibeth<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Senior Marketing Manager<\/em><\/p>\n<p>After earning his engineering degree in environmental technology, he gained many years of experience in project management through his work at an engineering office, an equipment manufacturer, and a multimedia agency. Achim Schmidt-Sibeth and his team have been responsible for marketing and communication at TPG The Project Group for many years now.<\/p>\n<p>Read more about Achim Schmidt-Sibeth on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/achim-schmidt-sibeth-3b89a417\/?originalSubdomain=de\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.xing.com\/profile\/Achim_SchmidtSibeth\/cv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">XING<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n    <p class=\"datamintsbanner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3IFmguV\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"datamintsbanner__link\" title=\"Microsoft 365 Project Management TPG ProjectPowerPack: Best Practice Solution for Project & Portfolio Management Based on Microsoft 365 & Power Platform\" style=\"display: block;\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/csm_PPP_Blog_Banner2_EN_1300px_tiny_8e50efa17d.jpg\" class=\"datamintsbanner__image\" style=\"display: block; max-width: 100%\">\n        <\/a>\n    <\/p>\n    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you work in a matrix environment and use MS Project? If so, you will be familiar with this problem. As a project manager, requesting resource engagements in MS Project for their projects from line managers used to be impossible. They had to use other channels. This changed with Microsoft Project Professional 2016 or Project<\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/resource-engagements-in-ms-project\/\" title=\"Read More\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":7993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=682"}],"version-history":[{"count":89,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7986,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/682\/revisions\/7986"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theprojectgroup.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}