Project Management Resource Allocation

Project management resource allocation sounds easy in principle. Simply create a project plan, write down what resources you need, pop it into the PMO ( Project Management Office) and voila you're sorted.

Well not quite. Nothing in project management is quite that simple otherwise there wouldn't be any need for highly experienced project managers. No the reality is that most Organisations don't have enough skilled resources. In fact they usually don't have enough hands on resources in general.

This means that they usually operate a matrix management resourcing system. In plain english this means that you are likely to have not one resource who is full-time for the duration of the project management life cycle. That's right not even you. Resources will likely stay be on the project full-time for a phase such as during the process of software development, and then move off onto the next project.

Many resources such as those involved in back end business systems will probably just do the ad hoc work required of them and be on the project for a matter of hours unless of course it is a business system's project!

The Key to Effective Project Resource Allocation

1. Determine quickly what resource you will need
2. Determine who the best people are in that are
3. Approach their line manager and check on their availabiliy
4. Assuming they are available put their name down against the relevant tasks in your project plan
5. Get your project plan into the PMO and get it baselined as soon as possible

This won't guarantee you will get the resource you want, but it will ensure that in a bunfight with another project manager you will at least be able to say that you booked the resource first. Now admittedly you may not win the battle, (after all you might be up against me!) but it will certainly help your cause. And this is absolutely vital to do. After all good resources if managed correctly, develop into successful project teams which are invaluable when delivering tough projects.

Project Management Resource Allocation - Tip

Project manager's often concentrate on the key individuals such as who will be taking on the role of a business analyst or what stakeholder strategy they will employ in order to be effective when working with stakeholders.

However a key thing to remember with project management resource allocation is that each resource is a human being. Never forget that. You need to effectively be able to work with them and make your life easier when managing project teams. More than anything you need to ensure you have project resources who deliver to a high standard what they commit to. This will not only make your reporting through the weekly project management report easier, but also your project quality management much more straightforward.

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