For us it is a matter of creating better models, models that can respond in a dynamic way to resource assignments.  We do not limit ourselves to archaic models and standards of the 1960’s.

• We enter durations for activities hose duration is fixed and not dependent on the amount of resources. 
• For activities whose duration is a function of resource assignment we use production type activities.

We model resource availability, resource demand, resource quantity, resource productivity and volume of work. For production type activities duration and effort are calculated based on required volume of work, assigned resources and their productivity.

Because resource assignments might vary depending on changing availability we use dynamic models. Attempting to resource level such dynamic scenarios using manual methods makes no sense.

Effort, Resource Quantity and Volume of Work

• For some activities it makes sense to define activity duration as a function of volume of work, resource quantity, workload and production rates. This we call Productivity Type activities.
• In the following example please note how availability increases as per hiring plan.  Also note about partial workloads and how it makes impossible to calculate resource quantity if using a conversion factor.  In the model if we change any parameter the activities duration will be adjusted as well as resource leveling.  Easy, the software does all the calculations at a single click.