Resource Allocation Management

One of the most valuable features of a programme management portal is the ability to manage resources across projects.

The image below shows a Claromentis system identifying required skills, tasks with unassigned resources, and allowing authorized users to request and allocate resources.

We are extremely interested in any feedback in this area, certainly companies are looking for :

The ability to allocate the most appropriate available resources to tasks based on the required skills

• Reports to show the gaps where they do not have resources for required tasks
• Reports to show utilization rates and resources that are unassigned

On area of this whole challenge of Resource Allocation Management is the role of Resource Managers. The question we would like to see debate on is “what is the most appropriate way to introduce the concept that resources have line managers, but they are allocated as a resource in a project, and therefore they can be allocated by the software to a particular relevant task”

The simplest way would be to say that if a resource is available in a project then they can be allocated, subject only to them having the appropriate skills and to them being available. More complex would be to identify for each individual that they have a line manager who needs to be asked for approval before the allocation can be made - until which time it can be marked as “pending”.

Alternatively for each project there can be a particular individual identified that has to approve all resource allocations. Or should this be per programme?

Feedback via our blog would be very much appreciated! How would you like to see software manage these decisions?

Individual Resource Calendars

A key requirement is to manage each individual through a single calendar of availability. In this way events outside of the project programmes - such as training or vacation - can be entered - as can individual work patterns.