Page 233 - DCAP304_DCAP515_SOFTWARE_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Unit 11: Resource Allocation

 This is the major thrust of resource planning and management. Notes
 In this lesson, we will examine, at some length, the four major stages of the resource
scheduling process.

11.7 Keywords

Resource Definition: Resource definition involves identifying the critical resources that need to
be planned and managed for the successful completion of the project.

Resource Allocation: In a multi-project environment as projects are competing for scarce
resources, resource allocation addresses the problem of the optimum use and timing of the
assignment of these resources to the various project activities.

Resource Aggregation: Resource aggregation involves determining the aggregate resources
that will be needed, period by period, to complete all project activities.
Resource Leveling: Having identified the necessary resource requirements, the last stage in the
process is resource leveling.

11.8 Review Questions

1. Describe resource requirement system with an example.
2. Analyze the performance of resource allocation and resource aggregation systems.

3. Evaluate the concept of resource schedule and cost schedule.
4. Project Insight gives project managers power over the management of resource
allocation for software development, marketing, product development teams and more.
Comment.
5. The project’s baseline that must be resourced will be known after a requirement specification
has been completed. Discuss.
6. The WBS is the base document for determining resource requirements. Comment.
7. Resource leveling is the process that ensures resource demand does not exceed resource
availability. Explain.
8. The resource scheduling examples that we solved above used the manual approach. Give
the list of examples and explain.
9. Cost planning ensures value for money and responsible management of public monies of
a capital project’s finances, including the requirements set out in the code of practice for the
building and construction industry. Discuss.
10. The most important resources that project managers have to plan and manage on day-to-
day basis are people, machines, materials, and working capital. Analyse.

Answers: Self Assessment

1. Department 2. total work
3. resources 4. justification
5. quantities 6. estimation
7. Resource allocation 8. working capital

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