---
title: Parallel Resources
slug: parallel-resources
createdAt: 2025-06-11T14:08:58.595Z
---

The **Parallel Resources** feature in planeus helps you plan situations where a Work Step needs more than one resource at the same time.

This is perfect for many circumstances, such as:

- Needing a special tool in addition to a machine
- Scheduling multiple employees to help on one task
- Using extra equipment that’s only available in limited numbers

# How Parallel Resource works?

When you plan a **Work Step**, you can also link one or more **Parallel Resources **(sometimes called secondary Resources). This means the Work Step will use both a primary resource and one or more Parallel Resources at the same time.

Hence:

- The part of the Work Step using the primary resource is called the **main Work Step**.
- The part using the Parallel Resource is called the **parallel Work Step**.

## Key points

- The duration of the parallel Work Step* is tied to *the duration of the Work Step.
- Different capacity plans for each resource might make the parallel step shorter or longer, depending on availability.

:::hint{type="warning"}
Always plan** forward** when using Parallel Resources to avoid gaps between primary and Parallel Work Steps. 
:::

# How to add Parallel Resources?

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/nXpvLlYS2JH38hF6GC9yN_image.png)

:::hint{type="info"}
Except for the special case of personnel resources (explained below), all parallel resources must be **fully available **during the time of the primary Work Step. 
:::

# What Happens If a Resource Isn’t Available? 

All linked **parallel resources** (except for employees — see the special case below) **must be available during the same time as the primary Work Step**

When you schedule a primary Work Step: 

- planeus searches for a time slot where **all resources** are available together. 
- If it can’t find a suitable time slot **within a year**, the order cannot be scheduled, and you’ll see an error message.

# How Parallel Resources are shown in the Gantt Chart 

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/5JZiyyxJmM6tpnY-IwXoD_image.png)

- When you move a primary Work Step, planeus automatically moves all linked parallel Work Steps and recalculates their times.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/_j4y9wbbWLGU5Jq96OcHM_2025-07-08-13-19-19.gif)

- In the Gantt Chart, Parallel Work Steps will be shown in **different colors** to distinguish them from primary Work Steps.

:::hint{type="danger"}
Parallel Work Steps** cannot** be moved individually.
You can only move a primary Work Step.
:::

# Alternative Resources

If you try to move a Work Step and one of the parallel resources is unavailable:

- planeus will suggest an **alternative resources** from the same Resource Group that are available in that time frame.
- If no alternatives exist, the system will let you know there’s a conflict.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/TFfK02sWjvijKDUCTJFDZ_image.png)

# Exclusive Availability

Parallel Work Steps require the parallel resource to be **exclusively available** during the time of the primary Work Step.

:::hint{type="info"}
**In short:**
The Parallel Resource **cannot **be scheduled for another task during that time.
:::

# Use Case Auto Shift Planning with Parallel Resources 

You can use Parallel Resources to plan human/employee Resources.

- **Not all** assigned employees need to be available at the same time.
- planeus will only schedule **those employees who are actually available during the planned time.**

## Example

Imagine you have 1 machine that runs for 8 hours
but you need 3 employees to help, each working in 3 different shifts.

How planeus automatically plans it:

- Set you machine as the primary Resrouces
- Set those 3 employees as Parallel Resources with their own Capacity Plans.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/COshvfnX2I0hK67H6MrHn_image.png)

- Schedule the Order.
- planeus will then automatically assign the employee **who is actually available that time.**

This makes it possible to plan complex scenarios without causing conflicts.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/SyfdxdyFiPS5B87_hM_dm_image.png)