Guide to Resource Management for the Project Manager
Fundamentals
Managing resources effectively means ensuring that the project manager obtains the best people a
nd supplies to get a quality project done on time and within the budget. When project managers follow established best practices, people work more efficiently. Project managers manage employees, suppliers and budgets. They forecast the demand for resources, identify the available resources and ensure the resource fulfills the demands of the project task. Utilizing and allocating resources effectively involves assigning and distributing employees and materials fairly throughout a company.
Effective project managers create a resource plan, a resource breakdown structure and a responsibility assignment matrix to track and monitor employee contribution and performance to project activities. By clearly assigning responsibilities to competent personnel, the project manager helps ensure that the work gets done on time. Assigning more work that can be completed in normal work hours typically results in employee dissatisfaction, cost overruns and poor quality. Using tools such as a resource histogram, project managers can analyze project resource allocation to spot problems and rectify the situation before it impacts the project.
Find out more about the history of human resource management, the fundamentals of human resource strategic planning and practices defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge published by the Project Management Institute. Learn how to manage resources on engineering and software projects.
- Human Resource Management Traditional Approach
- Evolution of Human Resource Management
- Exploring Early Human Resource Management History
- Fundamentals of Human Resources Strategic Planning
- Setting Goals and Strategies for Human Resource Management
- A Summary of PMBOK Practices - Human Resource Management
- Engineering Project Management: Managing Your Resources
- Resource Management in Software Project Management
Tools
Successful project managers identify resource dependencies in their work breakdown structure. If a task can only be completed by one resource, subsequent tasks depend on the previous task’s completion. Using resource leveling techniques, effective project managers redistribute an imbalance of project work to prevent employee stress and burnout.
Tools such as Microsoft Project and other resource planning software allow project managers to produce charts and graphs so they can visualize project assignments, produced detailed project calendars and generate status reports for sponsors and stakeholders. Planning your project resource capacity accurately involves delegating authority appropriately.
Need an example of a human resource management plan? Find examples and learn how to save money using tips and techniques from experts.
- A Review of the Top 3 Customer Resource Management Systems
- Data Resource Management in a Changing Business Environment
- The Best Tools for Project Resource Management
- The Uses of Assessment Centers in Human Resource Management
- Save Money With Open-Source Contact Resource Management
- Are SMART and SWOT Goals Effective Resource Management?
- How to Use Intern Programs as a Human Resource Management Tool
Best Practices
Human resource planning typically involves identifying the team members for the project. This includes defining how people will be required to complete project tasks and when their services are needed. This also involves knowing when training, additional resources and specialists are anticipated to support the project.
Effective project managers typically include human resources planning information in their project charter. Acquiring team members usually involves interviewing, hiring and orienting new team members to the project. Team training includes communicating the policies and procedures associated with completing collaborative work. Successful project managers run team activities, such as ice breakers, games and contests to build camaraderie and allow participants to get to know each other better. Effective team management prevents conflicts from spiraling out of control and ensuring the project stays on track.
Find out how to ensure productivity by choosing the right resources, communicating effectively, managing the budget accurately and handling vendors wisely, and handling resource issues throughout the project life cycle.
- Business Resource Management: The Importance of Choosing the Right Resources
- Business Resource Management: Effective Communication
- Team Communication Is Key in Project Resource Management
- Implementing Key Elements of Resource Management
- Matrix Management Within an Organization
- Team Project Management: Resource Management Tips
- Tips On Budget Resource Management
- Tips on Using Vision and Strategy in Resource Management
- Resource Management Tips: Vendor Relations
Trends
Due to the constantly changing economy, current trends in resource management reflect current business conditions related to new laws, types of education, and the products and services offered by companies. Challenges faced by today’s project managers include finding and retaining qualified personnel, fostering collaboration, ensuring competence and managing costs, diversity and change.
Learn how to manage a multi-generational workforce more effectively, handle political changes and understand labor management. Get more information about how project managers can use the information in human resource information systems to help them better manage their projects.
- Trends in Human Resource Management
- Effective Resource Management
- Challenges Facing Human Resource Management in Today’s World
- Differences Between Personnel Management vs. Human Resource Management
- Effective Resource Management in Companies Through the Mythical Man Month
- Employing Effective Resource Management at Your Company
- Political Changes to Human Resource Management
- Project Human Resource Management and the Importance of Labor Management
- Using New Tools to Attract and Retain Multigenerational Talent
Global Resource Management
Are you managing a project with team members located around the world? Sometimes people from diverse backgrounds conflict because of their different cultures, traditions, values and expectations. Global human resource policies and procedures must meet the needs of the corporation as well as fit local requirements. Successful project managers take into consideration the needs of expatriates and international employees.
Find out how to adapt to managing resources on a global scale. Learn about effective global resource management in other industry-leading companies to leverage their best practices. Get tips for managing global projects and learn how to avoid micromanaging a project, which typically decreases morale.
- Understanding Global and Economic Changes to Human Resource
- Understanding the Functions of Global Human Resource Management
- The Definition of Global Project Management
- Tips for Managing Global Projects
- The Scope of Human Resource Management
- Using Business Resource Management (BRM) in Your Company
- Which Is a More Effective Resource Management in Companies?
- How to Manage a Globally Distributed Project Team
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References
- Image Credit: flickr.com - chiali0808
- Chemuturi, Murali, and Thomas M. Cagley Jr.. " PMI - the World’s Leading Professional Association for Project Management." PMI - the World’s Leading Professional Association for Project Management. http://www.pmi.org (accessed September 22, 2011).
- Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons - DSP-User
- Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons - Alphamu57