In projects the availability or unavailability of will often influence the way projects are managed.

Resource Schedule

The Resource Schedule assigns Time Phased Costs that provide the Project Baseline. Then comparisons can be made between actual and planned costs.

Once resources have been scheduled then and only then can a baseline project schedule and budget be developed.

Resource Smoothing

A technique that uses slack to reduce peak resource demand to increase resource utilization.

If resources are adequate but the demand varies widely over the life of the project, it may be desirable to even out resource demand by delaying noncritical activities (using slack) to lower peak demand and, thus, increase resource utilization. This process is called resource smoothing

Resource-Constrained Scheduling

On the other hand, if resources are not adequate to meet peak demands, the late start of some activities must be delayed, and the duration of the project may be increased. This process is called resource-constrained scheduling.

One research study of more than 50 projects by Woodworth and Willie (1975) found that planned project network durations were increased 38 percent when resources were scheduled.

Resource Dependency vs. Technological Dependency

Note that the resource dependency takes priority over the technological dependency but does not violate the technological dependency; that is, hire, decorate, and purchase may now have to take place in sequence rather than concurrently, but they must all be completed before the reception can take place.

Resources

Resources are people, equipment, and material that can be drawn on to accomplish something. In projects the availability or unavailability of resources will often influence the way projects are managed.

Critical Chain Mgmt.

CCM is another method for managing slack, it considers both resource and technical dependencies when managing risk.

Time Constrained Project

A project that assumes time is fixed and, if resources are needed, they will be added.

Is one that must be completed by an imposed date. If required, resources can be added to ensure the project is completed by a specific date. Although time is the critical factor, resource usage should be no more than is necessary and sufficient.

-Focus is on Utilization of Resources
-Project must be developed around a Project Scope to be considered time constrained.
-It is important to remember that, if resources are truly limited and activity time estimates are accurate, the resource-constrained schedule will materialize as the project is implemented—not the time-constrained schedule!

Resource Constrained Project

A project that assumes resources are limited (fixed) and therefore time is variable.

Is one that assumes the level of resources available cannot be exceeded. If the resources are inadequate, it will be acceptable to delay the project, but as little as possible.

Resource Leveling/Smoothing

A technique in which start and finish dates are adjusted based on resource constraints with the goal of balancing demand for resources with the available supply.

When the number of people and/or equipment is not adequate to meet peak demand requirements and it is impossible to obtain more, the project manager faces a resource-constrained problem.

The trick is to prioritize and allocate resources to minimize project delay without exceeding the resource limit or altering the technical network relationships.

-Only possible if a project precedence network is created using forward/backward pass logic to determine slack.

-Causes similar constraints as leveling, scheduling becomes more complex

Leveling

Leveling techniques delay noncritical activities by using positive slack to reduce peak demand and fill in the valleys for the resources.

Techniques used to examine a project for an unbalanced use of resources, and for resolving resource overallocation.

The downside of leveling is reduced flexibility because of reduced slack. The risk of activities delaying the project also increases because slack reduction can create more critical activities and/or near-critical activities. Pushing leveling too far for a perfectly level resource profile is risky. Every activity then becomes critical.

3 Goals of Smoothing

The peak of demand for the resource was reduced.

The number of resources over the life of the project have been reduced.

The fluctuations in resource demand were minimized: This improves the utilization of resources.

Parallel Method

The parallel method is the most widely used approach to apply heuristics, which have been found to consistently minimize project delay over a large variety of projects. The parallel method is an iterative process that starts from the beginning of project time and, when resources needed exceed the resources available, retains activities first by the priority rules:

Minimum slack.

Smallest duration.

Lowest activity identification number.

The parallel method is the most widely used approach to apply heuristics, which have been found to consistently minimize project delay over a large variety of projects. The parallel method is an iterative process that starts from the beginning of project time and, when resources needed exceed the resources available, retains activities first by the priority rules:

Minimum slack.

Smallest duration.

Lowest activity identification number.

Multi-Project Resource Scheduling

Overall schedule slippage. Because projects often share resources, delays in one project can have a ripple effect and delay other projects. For example, work on one software development project can grind to a halt because the coders scheduled for the next critical task are late in completing their work on another development project.

Inefficient resource utilization. Because projects have different schedules and requirements, there are peaks and valleys in overall resource demands. For example, a firm may have a staff of 10 electricians to meet peak demands when, under normal conditions, only 5 electricians are required.

Resource bottlenecks. Delays and schedules are extended as a result of shortages of critical resources that are required by multiple projects. For example, at one Lattice Semiconductor facility, project schedules were delayed because of competition over access to test equipment necessary to debug programs. Likewise, several projects at a U.S. forest area were extended because there was only one silviculturist on the staff.

Time-Phase

Without a time-phased budget good project schedule and cost control are impossible.

A cost baseline that is derived from the WBS and project schedule. The budgeted costs are distributed to mirror the project schedule.

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CCM

Critical Chain Methodology, removes buffers and uses a 50/50 method. About half of tasks will exceed their estimated time.

-By using CCPM you are taking all the "safety" in individual tasks CCPM recommends using "shock absorbers"/time buffers:
-Project Buffers: Use 50% of aggregate safety/the amount of time project duration was reduced because of CCPM
-Feeder Buffers: Add time buffers where noncritical tasks merge with the CP to protect the CP
-Resource Buffers: Time buffers inserted on critical resources; decreases bottlenecks and preserves the relay race/prevents "dropped baton."

Eliyahu Goldratt

An Israeli physicist who developed the Theory of Constraints (TOC).

In his popular book The Goal, advocated for a different approach to managing slack: the project may be constrained by both time and resources. Thus, he coined the term Critical Chain.

In the case of Resource Constraints, new Task Dependencies can be created!

Indicate Resource Dependency

By drawing a dashed arrow in between resource dependent activities

Project cost baseline

The project cost baseline is a time-phased budget that is used for project cost management, monitoring, and reporting.

Also called Planned Value (PV): Which is used to determine cost and schedule variances as the project is implemented.

-Once complete this will be used to compare planned with actuals using an integrated system called Earned Value (EV)

How do you manage resource constraints in project management?

5 tips to help you manage resource constraints (+ examples).
Interview project stakeholders to make a comprehensive work breakdown structure..
Use project data to create realistic timelines..
Check your resource utilization to stop overallocation..
Run forecasting reports throughout your project lifecycles..

What is resource constraints in project management?

Resource constraints occur when project managers do not have enough resources to meet the demands and outcome of a project. A project may face limited resources in terms of human resources, materials, equipment, or finances.

What are the benefits of scheduling resources before a project begins?

Resource scheduling is important for the following reasons:.
Improve efficiency and cost of the project..
Prevent timeline delays..
Prevent overloading people with too much work..
Assign tasks and monitor projects from start to finish..
Schedule labor based on skills and availability..

What options are available to a project manager faced with a time constrained schedule that should have been resource constrained?

What options are available to a project manager faced with a time constrained schedule that should have been resource constrained? Reduce project scope. Add more resources. ---- tasks is a scheduling technique used to get a better project schedule and/or to increase resource utilization.