How to Create Resources in Microsoft Project

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To create resources in Microsoft Project, follow these steps: 

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1. Let's start by opening your Microsoft Project file. Navigate to the 'View' tab in the ribbon at the top of your screen.
2. Click on 'Resource Sheet' in the view options. This will display the spreadsheet where we can add and manage all your project resources.
3. In the first empty row, enter the name of your resource (person, equipment, or material) in the 'Resource Name' column. Be specific to easily identify each resource later.
4. In the 'Type' column, specify whether this is Work (people), Material, or Cost resource by selecting from the dropdown menu.
5. If needed, organize your resources by adding a group label in the 'Group' column. This helps categorize resources by department, function, or any other logical grouping.
6. For shared resources, enter a value in the 'Max Units' column to define availability. For example, 100% means full-time, while 50% indicates half-time availability.
7. Enter the hourly rate or per-unit cost in the 'Std. Rate' column. This is what you'll pay during regular working hours for this resource.
8. If applicable, enter an 'Ovt. Rate' (overtime rate) for work resources. Leave it blank if overtime isn't an option or relevant for this resource.
9. Make sure the 'Cost' column is visible to track expenses. This helps you monitor project spending and stay within budget as you assign resources to tasks.
10. Consider adding a custom field like 'Accurate At' to track when resource information was last updated. Right-click on a column header and select 'Insert Column' to add this.
11. Finally, assign the appropriate calendar to each resource by clicking in the 'Base Calendar' field. This defines working days and hours for scheduling accuracy.