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How to Create Resource Requests in Microsoft Project and PWA
Question details
The user needs to know how to create resource requests and engagements in Project for the Web and PWA, especially when the setting appears hidden or the engagement command is unavailable.
- Product
- Microsoft Project Online and PWA
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A project manager is attempting to request enterprise resources for a project but cannot find the resource-engagement setting or the Add Engagement button.
- Observed behavior
- The resource-engagement setting is completely hidden on newer PWA sites, and the Add Engagement command remains inactive or unavailable in the Project interface.
Ensure you are using a compatible version of the Project Online Desktop Client or a supported configuration of Project Professional, and verify you have the correct permissions to access the enterprise resource pool.
Enable the Add Engagement Command by Adding Enterprise Resources
Use this solution to properly build your project team from the enterprise resource pool, which will automatically activate the grayed-out Add Engagement command.
In Project Online, the 'Add Engagement' option is tied directly to the use of enterprise resources. If you are only using local resources, the engagement options will remain inactive.
Additionally, for PWA sites created after April 4, 2016, Microsoft enabled resource engagements by default. This is why you will no longer find a manual toggle setting for it in the PWA settings menu.
Launch your compatible Project Online Desktop Client or Project Professional application and open your specific project.
Click on the 'Resource' tab located in the top ribbon menu of the Project interface.
Click the 'Add Resources' button, then choose 'Build Team from Enterprise' from the dropdown menu to connect to your PWA resource pool.
Select the required enterprise resources from the list and add them to your current project team, then click OK.
Now that enterprise resources are part of your project, navigate to the engagement view. The 'Add Engagement' command will now be available for you to submit resource requests.
Manage Daily Project Tasks with WPS Office
While enterprise-level resource engagements require Microsoft Project Online, WPS Office provides a fantastic, lightweight alternative for tracking standard project tasks, timelines, and budgets. Use WPS Spreadsheet to manage your resources seamlessly without the complexity of enterprise deployments.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open a Project Template: Launch WPS Spreadsheet, navigate to the Template Library, and search for 'Project Management' to start tracking your resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the resource engagement setting missing in PWA?
For all PWA sites created after April 4, 2016, resource engagements are enabled by default. Microsoft removed the manual setting from the interface because the feature is permanently active on newer sites.
Why is the 'Add Engagement' button grayed out in Microsoft Project?
The 'Add Engagement' command remains unavailable until your project team utilizes enterprise resources. You must first use the 'Build Team from Enterprise' option to add resources before you can request engagements.
Can I request resource engagements using local project resources?
No. Resource engagements in Project Online are strictly designed for enterprise resource management. You must pull resources from the centralized PWA resource pool to trigger engagement requests.
