RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n Project success<\/strong> and failure outcomes\u2026\u00a0 Planning the project properly, documenting the plan professionally and then implementing the plan successfully are likely the sources of most project success and failure outcomes.\u00a0 Using best practices and learning from the experiences of others are effective methods for skill set development.\u00a0 Many organizations that use project management on an ongoing basis close out projects with a compilation of \u201clessons learned.\u201d\u00a0 These firms have found value in studying the specific issues that have emerged in the past.<\/p>\n As part of the planning process, a review of relevant lessons learned can be instructive as well as a \u201csanity check\u201d or completeness evaluation regarding the adequacy and comprehensive nature of your Project Management Plan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This post continues the focus on issues in planning and problems that have their source or root cause in planning.\u00a0 The subject is Resource Requirements<\/strong>.\u00a0 In this regard, the post will focus on human resources or staffing.\u00a0 This discussion is not focused on direct labor (e.g. construction craft labor, software engineering man-hours).<\/p>\n This post is the ninth in a Subject Series<\/a> of discussions regarding current challenges being encountered in today\u2019s project management.\u00a0 More specifically, we have titled the series PROJECT MANAGEMENT<\/strong> CHALLENGES<\/strong><\/a>, since we focus heavily on the managerial aspects of program \/ project management.\u00a0 This post addresses Resource Requirements<\/strong> lessons learned.<\/p>\n As discussed in Part 6 of this series, the use of team and stakeholder workshops can be an effective mechanism for achieving a well-developed Project Management Plan<\/strong>.\u00a0 Start with the fundamentals and process.\u00a0 Incorporate project initiation documentation.\u00a0 Use lessons learned on similar projects.\u00a0 Emphasize team participation.<\/p>\n A valuable industry reference is <\/a>Project Management, A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling<\/a>; <\/em>Doctor Harold Kerzner.\u00a0 Kerzner<\/strong> presents a view of why plans fail, typical reasons which he indicates include:<\/p>\n The notion here is that the human resource requirements have not been properly, completely and accurately assessed and planned.<\/p>\n The \u201ctake away\u201d or lesson learned is that an adequate assessment of resource requirements<\/strong> needs to start robustly during project planning.\u00a0 Stakeholders (who and how much time will be required) need to be thoroughly identified, consulted, aligned, and a path forward needs to be documented during the planning process.\u00a0 Using plan development process as well as the Project Management Plan<\/strong> [or Project Execution Plan, Project Plan] to align all stakeholders and to sell the plan requirements is an effective means for dealing with this lesson learned.<\/p>\n There are several effective tools and techniques for facilitating resource requirement<\/strong> planning.\u00a0 One is a solid resource-loaded schedule.\u00a0 Another relates to matching resources with the Work Breakdown Structure [WBS].\u00a0 Responsibility Matrices [RM], Responsibility Assignment Matrices [RAM] and RACI [Responsible, Accountable, Consult, Inform] diagrams are extremely useful in this process.\u00a0 Experience has shown (please see above comments) that proceeding into project execution without a good plan for resource acquisition is very risky.\u00a0 Take the time to complete the planning and Project Management Plan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The RM\u2019s, RAM\u2019s and\/or RACI\u2019s<\/strong> need to be used to determine or confirm resource requirement<\/strong> estimates or assessments.\u00a0 This is particularly true of part-time stakeholders and periodic resource needs.\u00a0 Further, the Project Management Plan<\/strong> needs to couple or merge the resource requirements <\/strong>with (among other considerations) the communications plan.<\/p>\n In subsequent posts, we will address additional issues or problems often encountered in Project Planning.\u00a0 The notion here is that lessons learned from problems that have their roots in planning and Project Management Plan<\/strong> use are potentially helpful in improving the work of the project team.<\/p>\n Good luck in avoiding these and other project planning pitfalls.\u00a0 Let us all attempt to approach the practice or managerial challenge of project management with all knowledge, tools and lessons learned that are available.\u00a0 Setting a solid foundation in the issues as well as the process is essential and has long term (project duration) benefits.\u00a0 Happy reading and good luck in your project management challenges<\/strong> and endeavors\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is important to note that McLaughlin and McLaughlin [M&M]<\/a><\/strong> is not a law firm and is not intending to provide legal advice.\u00a0 M&M<\/strong> <\/a>is a consulting firm providing (among other services) non-legal expertise in dispute resolution and litigation support.\u00a0 The Resource Center<\/a><\/strong> is for the convenience of blog visitors and M&M<\/strong><\/a> does not offer this for commercial purposes.\u00a0 For further information on M&M<\/a><\/strong> services, please see<\/em> <\/em><\/a>www.McLaughlinandMcLaughlin.com<\/a><\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS Project success and failure outcomes\u2026\u00a0 Planning the project properly, documenting the plan professionally and then implementing the plan successfully are likely the sources of most project success and failure outcomes.\u00a0 Using best practices and learning from the experiences of others are effective methods for skill set development.\u00a0 Many organizations that use project management 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