A Resource Definition is a reusable template that describes a kind of resource need — for example, "Excavator", "Crew Truck", or "500hp-Plus Loader". Define it once, and anyone building a schedule can drop it into an activity as a Resource Requirement just by picking it and setting a quantity and date range.
Where to find it
Go to the Projects menu and click Resource Definition Manager.
The Resource Definition Manager has a tree on the left for organization and a detail form on the right that shows the currently-selected definition.
You need the Project Schedules permission to open this page. For how permissions work, see Enabling Project Schedules.
Organizing definitions in folders
To keep a large library tidy, organize your definitions into folders. Folders only exist for organization — they have no effect on scheduling behaviour.
Right-click anywhere in the tree to open the context menu:
New Folder — creates a folder at the root
New Subfolder — creates a folder inside the selected folder
Rename — renames the selected folder or definition
Duplicate — copies the selected definition
Delete — removes the selected folder or definition (folders must be empty first)
You can also drag items in the tree to reorder them.
Creating a definition
Click the "+" icon in the toolbar anc choose New Resource Definition.
Fill in the form on the right:
Name — name of the resource requirement which will be used in schedules
Icon — a visual identifier chosen from the icon library
Color — the colour of Gantt bars created from this definition
Asset Class, Asset Category, Asset Type — which kinds of assets are eligible to satisfy this need
Definition Folder — optional; the folder this definition belongs to
Rules — optional filters (see below)
Click Save.
Using rules to filter eligible assets
Rules narrow "any excavator" down to "any excavator whose horsepower element is at least 500". Each rule has three parts:
The asset element to check (for example, Rated Power)
The operation (equals, contains, greater than, and so on)
The value to compare against
An asset is only offered as available when allocating to a Resource Requirement if it matches every rule on the definition. You will see that filter in action later — see Allocating Assets to Resource Requirements.
Rules are optional. A definition with no rules accepts any asset of the chosen class, category, and type.
What happens next
Resource Definitions are used when you build a schedule. When a Project Manager creates a Resource Requirement inside a schedule activity, they choose one of your definitions, set a quantity and date range, and the system uses the rules you entered here to decide which assets can satisfy that requirement. It then provides those assets as allocation options for the requirement.
For where this happens, see Building Your Schedule: Activities and Resource Requirements.