Manage resources in Altus for Project
Use Build Team to add, replace, or remove Altus resources in your Microsoft Project file.
Resource types
Within a Microsoft Project file, you can use:
| Resource type | Description |
|---|---|
| Local resources | Resources that only exist in the Microsoft Project file. They are not published to the Altus project. |
| Altus resources | Resources selected from Altus using Build Team. |
| Mixed resources | A combination of local resources and Altus resources in the same Microsoft Project file. |
Why use Altus resources?
Altus resources can bring the following information into the Microsoft Project file:
- Calendar and calendar exceptions
- Cost rate, shown as Standard Rate
- Sell rate, shown as Overtime Rate
If you use the Altus Resource Plan module, Altus resource assignments can be imported from the Microsoft Project file into the Altus Resource Plan.
If you use the Altus Timesheet module:
- Assigned Altus resources can see their published tasks in their timesheet
- Approved timesheet hours can be imported into the Microsoft Project file as actual work
Open Build Team
- In Microsoft Project, open the Altus ribbon.
- Click Build Team.
Build Team window
The Build Team window has two sections.
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Resources from Altus | Displays bookable resources from Altus. |
| Project Resources | Displays resources already in the Microsoft Project file, including local resources and Altus resources. |
Both sections allow you to:
- Search for a specific resource
- Filter by Named or Generic resources
Resource indicators
The Build Team window uses indicators to show the state of resources.
| Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Local only resource | The resource exists only in the Microsoft Project file. |
| Generic resource | The resource is marked as generic. |
| Inactive Altus resource | The Altus resource has been made inactive. It cannot be added to the project, but previously added inactive resources may still display. |
| Actuals | The resource has actual values. Resources with actuals cannot be removed or replaced from this window. |
Add Altus resources
Resources already added to the Microsoft Project file appear greyed out in the Resources from Altus list.
You can select multiple resources by holding Ctrl and selecting each resource.
The Add > button is inactive until a resource is selected from the Resources from Altus list.
To add an Altus resource:
Select a resource from the Resources from Altus list.
Click Add >.
The resource is added to the Project Resources list.
Click OK to save your changes.
To discard the changes, click Cancel.
Replace an Altus resource
Replacing a resource moves the tasks and work from the original resource to the new resource. The original resource is then removed from the Microsoft Project file.
Note
You cannot replace a resource that has actual work allocated to them.
Other rules:
- Resources already added to the Project Resources list appear greyed out in the Resources from Altus list
- You can only replace one resource at a time
- The Replace > button is inactive until both resources are selected
To replace an Altus resource:
Select the new resource from the Resources from Altus list.
Select the resource being replaced from the Project Resources list.
Click Replace >.
The new resource replaces the original resource.
Click OK to save your changes.
To discard the changes, click Cancel.
Remove resources
Removing a resource removes them from the Microsoft Project file and removes them from any tasks they were assigned to.
This applies to both Altus resources and local resources.
Warning
Removing a resource removes the resource from the file and from their task assignments.
The assignments are not converted back to local resources. They are removed.
You cannot remove a resource that has actual work allocated to them.
You can select multiple resources by holding Ctrl and selecting each resource.
The Remove button is inactive until a resource is selected from the Project Resources list.
To remove a resource:
Select a resource from the Project Resources list.
Click Remove.
The resource is removed from the Project Resources list.
Click OK to save your changes.
To discard the changes, click Cancel.
Calendar and resource rate alignment
Altus for Project automatically checks for calendar and resource rate differences when a Microsoft Project file is connected to Altus.
This helps keep the connected .mpp file aligned with Altus data at the point of connection.
When you connect a Microsoft Project file to Altus, Altus for Project checks for differences in:
- Resource calendars
- Working time
- Resource rates
If differences are found, Altus for Project aligns the calendar and resource rate data between Altus and the connected .mpp file.
No setup is required.
Once you are using the supported version of Altus for Project, this works automatically when connecting a Microsoft Project file to Altus.