Once The Base Schedule Has Been Created Resources Can Be Ass
Once The Base Schedule Has Been Created Resources Can Be Assigned To
Once the base schedule has been created, resources can be assigned to tasks. To complete that this week, we will: Create a list of resources. Assign resources to tasks. Assign costs to resources. Use resource information to determine a preliminary cost for the project.
Guidelines:
- Complete Lesson 2.
- Provide a printout of your table: Entry showing all columns, but no Gantt chart.
- Provide a printout of your table: Cost showing all columns but no Gantt chart.
- Print the Summary Report.
- Print the Budget Report.
- Print the Who Does What report.
- Print the Overallocated Resources report.
Deliverables:
- All deliverables must be submitted in a zip file to receive full credit:
- Completed MyLab2_XXX.mpp
- Completed Review Questions Printouts/Screenshots contained in Week_2_Printouts_XXX.docx
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Project management hinges on effective scheduling and resource allocation to ensure timely and within-budget project delivery. Once a project schedule's baseline has been established, assigning resources—such as personnel, equipment, and materials—is a crucial step in transforming a plan into actionable tasks. This paper discusses the importance of resource assignment following schedule creation, outlining a step-by-step approach to resource planning, cost estimation, and project management reporting.
Creating a List of Resources
The initial step involves compiling a comprehensive list of all resources required for the project. Resources encompass human resources (project team members, contractors), equipment (computers, machinery), materials (raw materials, components), and even facilities. Accurate identification ensures that each task within the project has the necessary support to be completed successfully. Detailed documentation, including resource types, availability, and capacity, facilitates efficient allocation later in the process (Kerzner, 2017).
Assigning Resources to Tasks
Once the resource list is developed, the next phase involves assigning these resources to specific tasks outlined in the project schedule. This process requires careful consideration of each resource’s skills, availability, and workload capacity to avoid overallocation or conflicts. Resource leveling tools in project management software, such as Microsoft Project, enable planners to visualize allocations and make adjustments to optimize resource use (PMI, 2017). Effective resource assignment ensures tasks are adequately staffed, reducing delays caused by resource shortages.
Assigning Costs to Resources
Assigning costs to resources involves estimating expenses associated with each resource’s usage. Labor costs are calculated based on hourly rates multiplied by the estimated hours for assigned tasks. Material and equipment costs are derived from procurement prices, often based on supplier quotes or historical data. Accurate cost assignment is essential for developing the preliminary project budget and enabling financial tracking throughout the project lifecycle (Meredith & Mantel, 2014).
Using Resource Information to Determine Project Costs
Integrating resource data into the project plan allows for the calculation of a preliminary project cost. This involves aggregating individual resource costs across all assigned tasks. The resulting estimate provides a financial baseline, facilitating budget approvals and resource allocation decisions. It also enables project managers to identify potential cost overruns and adjust resource assignments proactively to stay within the allocated budget (Schwalbe, 2018).
Generating Reports and Analyzing Resource Allocation
Effective project management relies heavily on reporting tools integrated into scheduling software. The key reports include:
- Entry Table: Life cycle of tasks and resource assignments.
- Cost Table: Detailed budget of resource costs.
- Summary Report: Overview of project scope, schedule, and costs.
- Budget Report: In-depth financial plan highlighting costs.
- Who Does What Report: Clarification of task responsibilities.
- Overallocated Resources Report: Identification of resource overuse, allowing corrective action (Clair, 2020).
These reports serve as vital communication tools, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned with resource planning and financial expectations. Regular review of overallocations enables timely rescheduling or resource adjustments, thus maintaining project momentum.
Conclusion
Assigning resources after establishing the project schedule is a pivotal phase that translates planning into execution. It involves developing a resource list, assigning tasks, estimating costs, and reviewing detailed reports to ensure proper resource utilization and budget adherence. Employing structured tools and reports enhances transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to project dynamics. Effective resource management ultimately increases the likelihood of project success within scope, schedule, and budget constraints.
References
Clair, J. (2020). Effective resource management in project planning. Project Management Journal, 51(4), 45-59.
Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. Wiley.
Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2014). Project management: A managerial approach. Wiley.
PMI. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Project Management Institute.
Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.