08-01 Understand the differences between time-constrained and resource-constrained schedules.

08-02 Identify different types of resource constraints.

08-03 Describe how the smoothing approach is used on time-constrained projects.

08-04 Describe how the leveling approach is used for resource-constrained projects.

08-05 Understand how project management software creates resource-constrained schedules.

08-06 Understand when and why splitting tasks should be avoided.

08-07 Identify general guidelines for assigning people to specific tasks.

08-08 Identify common problems with multiproject resource scheduling.

08-09 Explain why a time-phased budget baseline is needed.

08-10 Create a time-phased project budget baseline.

The project priority team will add a new project only if resources are available.

Once resource assignments have been finalized, you are able to develop a baseline budget schedule for the project.

Involves attempting to even out varying demands on resources by delaying non-critical activities (using slack) to lower peak resource demand and, thus, increase resource utilization when resources are adequate over the life of the project.

Occurs when 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.

Are related to the networked sequence in which project activities must occur.

Occur when the absence, shortage, or unique interrelationship and interaction characteristics of resources require a particular sequencing of project activities.

Note that the resource dependency takes priority over the technological dependency but does not violate the technological dependency.

There are always more project proposals than there are available resources.

Time (project duration) is fixed and resources are flexible. If required, resources can be added to ensure the project is completed by a specific date.

Assumes the level of resources available cannot be exceeded.

Resources are fixed and time is flexible. If the resources are inadequate, it will be acceptable to delay the project.

Splitting refers to interrupting work on one task and assigning the resources to work on a different task for a period of time, then reassigning them to work on the original task.

Activities with the most slack pose the least risk.

Reduction of flexibility does not increase risk.

The nature of an activity (easy, complex) doesn’t increase risk.

Require use of resource smoothing techniques that balance demand for a resource.

Delay noncritical activities by using positive slack to reduce peak demand and fill in the valleys for the resources without delaying the entire project.

Reduce the peak of demand for the resource

Reduce the number of resources over the life of the project

Minimize the fluctuation in resource demand

Loss of flexibility that occurs from reducing slack

Creates more critical activities and/or near-critical activities because of slack reduction

The parallel method is an iterative process that starts from the beginning of project time and, when the resources needed exceed the resources available, retains activities first by the priority rules.

The development of a hand-held electronic medical reference guide to be used by emergency medical technicians and paramedics

Only eight design engineers can be assigned to the project due to the shortage of design engineers and commitments to other projects.

The peak demand is 21 design engineers

Increases the number of critical and near-critical activities

Increases scheduling complexity because resource constraints are added to technical constraints

May make the traditional critical path no longer meaningful

Can break the sequence and leave the network with a set of disjointed critical activities

May cause parallel activities to become sequential

Can change activities from critical to noncritical

Is a scheduling technique used to get a better project schedule and/or to increase resource utilization.

Involves interrupting the work and sending the resource to another activity for a period of time and then having the resource resume work on the original activity.

Can be useful if the work involved does not include large start-up or shut-down costs.

Is considered a major reason why projects fail to meet schedule.

To gauge the impact of unforeseen events

To assess how much flexibility over certain resources

Best people: resent to the fact that they are always given the toughest assignments

Less experienced participants: resent to the fact that they are never given the opportunity to expand their skill/knowledge base

Minimize unnecessary tension; complement each other

Experience: veterans team up with new hires

Future needs: have people work together early on so that they can become familiar with each other

Shared resources causes a ripple effect—delays in one project create delays for other projects.

Different schedules and requirements by multiple projects create the peaks and valleys in overall resource demands.

Shortages of critical resources required by multiple projects cause delays and schedule extensions.

Create project offices or departments to oversee the scheduling of resources across multiple projects

Use a project priority queuing system—first come, first served for resources

Treat individual projects as part of one big project and adapt the scheduling heuristics to this “mega project”

Utilize project management software to prioritize resource allocation

Outsource projects to reduce the number of projects managing internally

Hire temporary workers to expedite certain activities that are falling behind schedule

Contract project work during peak periods when there are insufficient internal resources to meet the demands of all project

To determine if the project is on, ahead, or behind schedule and over or under its budgeted costs

To assess how much work has been accomplished for the allocated money spent—the project cost baseline (planned value, PV)

Assign each work package to one responsible person or department and deliverable

Compare planned schedule and costs using an integrative system called earned value

Generate cash flow statements and resource usage schedules