How can resources be managed

By standardizing the resource management processes in an organization, the many benefits will be achieved:. Start Free Trial Now. If you continue using our website, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy. Toggle navigation. Unfortunately, ineffective or suboptimal resource management will certainly lead to negative consequences such as poor productivity, delays, decreased quality, increased costs, missed opportunities, and low morale.

But how can we improve resource management? My teams are already at capacity, what more can we do? A key part of the challenge is recognizing that high resource utilization is not an indication of good resource management. The key is ensuring that your resources are working on projects aligned to strategic corporate goals, that match their skill sets and where they have adequate bandwidth. Determining what work or demand to undertake next and when resources will be available are huge challenges as well.

We should also mention that a part of the resource management challenge involves the various methodologies that disparate teams employ including milestone-driven, iterative, and collaborative methodologies. All have benefits when applied to the appropriate type of work, but each has its own nuances complicating the resource management process. By combining disparate methodologies across a range of organizational maturities, companies find that there is no singular answer to these challenges.

Download this whitepaper to learn the 10 most important things you should include in your resource planning strategy. We certainly recognize that resource management is a complex process, especially in an enterprise with shared, geographically dispersed resources. According to The Project and Portfolio Management Landscape report , almost half of organizations report they are stuck in silos. With so many approaches to work, it should make sense that resource management approaches can also vary.

Regardless, there are three capabilities every resource management software should include:. This forms an essential part of the project management plan. Defining of resources and their availability, linked with planning of resource demands and related reporting, allows for effective use of limited resources. Standardisation of procedures and processes also saves resources being wasted and finances being spent on the wrong things — a significant cost-saving factor. All of the above contribute to the overall success of the project.

Allocation involves identifying what resources are needed to complete the work, ie. Aggregation of resources on a daily, weekly or monthly basis shows the total amount consumed at any point in time. Resource scheduling is used to calculate the resources required to deliver the work and when they will be required. Once you know the resource allocation and understand the consumption, you can then manage the schedule more effectively. In some instances you may need to apply specific scheduling techniques to ensure the project meets its objectives.

These include: resource smoothing used when time constraints take priority and resource levelling , which is creating a balance of the resource stock, ie. Sometimes both techniques may need to be used.

The fully-resourced schedule has to be achievable and have the support of the management team. Sign up to enjoy the latest project management articles delivered straight to your inbox. Log in to post a comment, or create an account if you don't have one already.