Resource Curve Descriptions

In Open Plan, the amount of a resource requirement can be interpreted as either a total quantity or a level-per-time unit.

For example, if a 5-day activity has a resource requirement of 10 units, this information can be interpreted in two different ways: as a total requirement of 10 units or as a level of 10 units per day.

Resource Curve

If you leave the Resource Curve setting blank, Open Plan interprets the amount of the resource requirement as a level-per-time unit. Thus, if the activity duration changes, the amount of the resource requirement changes as well.

If you want Open Plan to interpret the amount of the requirement as a total rather than as a level, change the Curve setting to one of the following values:

Resource Curve	Description
B: Back Load	Most of the resource effort is allocated toward the end of the duration
D: Double Peak	Most of the resource effort is allocated to two peaks — one near the beginning of the duration and one near the end.
E: Early Peak	Most of the resource effort is allocated near the beginning of the duration.
F: Front Load	Most of the resource effort is allocated at the beginning of the duration.
L: Late Peak	Most of the resource effort is allocated near the end of the duration.
N: Normal (Bell)	The resource effort starts with a minimal effort, gradually increases to the middle of the duration, and then tapers off.
T: Linear	The requirement is interpreted as a total quantity allocated as evenly as possible throughout the duration.

Using the Spread Curves dialog box, you can add custom spread curves to this list. In addition, you can edit or delete any spread curve.