Jan 21, 2020 07:45 AM
In my table, I have many projects inserted as different records in a column. In another column, I included the project lead for each project, and in a third column are other staff members working on each project but are not project leads.
I want to create a block or a column showing an individual’s weekly or monthly workload. For example, if Mark is a project lead to 3 projects but also working on 2 projects that are led by someone else, I would like to have a place where I can see his whole workload for the month. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Jan 21, 2020 08:04 AM
Isabelle,
When you say you want to see someone’s “workload,” what exactly do you mean? It sounds to me like what you want is to see how many projects a particular person is linked to? Is that it?
(I ask because “workload” to me suggests “how many hours I’m working each day”. I can have 7 current clients but if none of them are asking me to do much, my workload is pretty light.)
I’m also curious about your requirement that you view this info “by the week or the month”. You don’t elsewhere indicate that you’re entering dates, so I’m not sure how we would know what someone’s project load (if I may call it that) is for the week.
William
Jan 21, 2020 08:32 AM
Here’s a quick suggestion. This isn’t going to do everything I think you want but perhaps it will help you get started.
Start by creating two tables, with these fields:
Now, go to the People table and create a new column of type “Link to another record.” Of course, link to Projects. Rename this column Leading.
Stay in People and create a second new column of type “Link to another record”. Again, link to Projects. Rename this field Helping With.
Now go back to Projects, add in a few project records, then switch to People and add some people. In the appropriate columns, link each person to the projects he or she is leading or helping with.
I included a “Project Ends” date field in PROJECTS so that I could filter by projects that are still current.
I’m attaching a couple screenshots. I’ll add some comments in a follow-up message about the challenges your problem presents, especially to Airtable.
William
Jan 21, 2020 08:46 AM
Okay, so here are some notes on my quick-and-dirty Projects & People base.
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Now, a more basic critique of my own suggestion. Your problem sounds to me like it could use a many-to-many relation. A given project can have more than one leader and/or helper; and any person can be linked to more than one project. If you explore the Airtable help for many-to-many relationships (look especially at the classes and students example) you may be able to build a more sophisticated version of this base that comes closer to what you want.
William
Jan 22, 2020 01:55 AM
Hi William,
Your suggestions are really helpful. Thank you. You understood my issue. Sorry I wasn’t clear in my message - I meant workload as in the number of projects one person is working on at a time, and by viewing this by week or by month I meant to be able to visualise by time range. I’ll try what you’ve suggested as it seems that is what I need.
Thanks again
Isabelle
Jan 22, 2020 01:59 AM
To follow up, I am entering start and end dates which I should’ve mentioned
Jan 22, 2020 10:14 AM
Excellent, Isabelle. Sounds like you’re on the right track. Good luck.
William