Resource Scheduling and Evaluating Various Methods Used Essay

resource scheduling and evaluating various methods used to schedule resources in project management.

Resource scheduling involves implementing and planning a way of scheduling one's resources. It involves ascertaining that the necessary resources for perpetrating the task are there; that the right resource/s are used; that timing or resource is correct and that there is optimum use of this resource; and that the aggregation of resources is appropriate.

Resource scheduling is important in order to prevent project constraint (problems with competing project). Its benefits are three-fold:

When project delay is unacceptable, resource scheduling allows sufficient time for considering alternatives such as cost-time trade-offs and changing of priorities.

Resource scheduling matches budget with dates so that deadlines are met

Resource scheduling shows project managers amount of flexibility they have with certain resources and how far they can therefore go with their ideas and plans.

There are 3 different types of project constraint:

1. Technological, - the sequence in which individual projects must be completed with each occurring in stages. Example: in building construction, foundation must be poured in before the frame is put up

2. resource - lack of adequate resources for completing a specific stage sometimes forcing simultaneous stages to be completed in tandem

3. Physical. Contractual or environmental conditions that cause difficulty in completing task by deadline such as space limitations may force only one person to paint an entire wall (Gray and Larson, 2003).

Projects are either time constrained or resource constrained. They are the latter when the availability of resources is depleted / inadequate for completing the task.

This is where resource scheduling comes in.

The process of resource scheduling therefore depends on the particular project.

There are four different ways of doing resource scheduling:

1. resource definition, - identifying the critical resource that needs to be used for this project

2. Resource allocation, - optimum use and timing of specific resources. Particularly important when different resources are competing with each other

3. Resource aggregation, - determining the aggregate resources that will be needed and used period by period for completing project.

4. Resource leveling. -- The available resources are there in order to cover the peaks and slums. Just enough resources are available, not too many or too little.

We will just concentrate on the first two:

1. Resource definition, - identifying the critical resource that needs to be used for this project.

The first step -- or approach - may be the most important where one actually decides and clearly delineates the resource that is needed and amount / quantity of these resources as well as all pertinent details e.g. When it is needed, who supplier will be, who will perform reosurces, buy them,, where stored etc. All details involving this resource are accurately and thoroughly laid out. In the case of HR, the details of the advert / way of procuring necessary labor may also be stepped…