Problem with duration and allocation of resources

Christian,

Guess this related to your setting on calendar. Pls check Tools - Options - Calendar, days per month (if your activities work is entered in day, same path update schedule option); or hours per day/week...Got to go to catch the bus. will try to reply your second question

Thanks. That sorted me out regarding the duration. Will wait for your help on resolving the issue of overallocation.

Christian,

As I know normally there are there way to avoid the over allocation.

1.leveling the resource, which will result in a slippage of project due date
2.To change work sequence if possible, after you find out the resource over-allocation related tasks
3.Add more resource if you could find the Santa Claus whose new office is next to yours

Work over time is the worst/effective choice if your resource is limited and project due date is fixed. In my industry, night shift is normal for the extra cost for this is valuable.

Christian,
1. in Tools, Resource Leveling you will have choice between "regular leveling", "which will result in a slippage of project due date" and "smoothing", which will only level the resources that do not delay the project due date
2. Overtime work is a joke in MS Project (any version including 2010), as you cannot define WHEN the overtime stands; resource shifts are equally noneffective, because this option is not native in MSP as it is in Primavera P3 or P6; il MSP you can only create specific calendars to represent shifts, but they will not match with the calendar options.
Alexandre