Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Determine the number and type of resources in a project.

Concepts

The understanding of how to identify the number and types of resources needed in a project is a significant aspect of Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification. A project’s success can be heavily influenced by the availability of resources and their effective utilization. Such resources range from people and tools to budgets and time. The proper identification and management of these resources enhance efficiency, prevent delays, and avert budget oversights.

I. Identifying the Number and Type of Resources

It’s crucial for project managers to scrutinize every small detail of a project to define the necessary resources. A few steps to execute this analysis include:

Thoroughly Understand the Project Scope: The project scope outlines all the activities that need to be executed to meet the project objectives. Once you comprehend the project scope, you’ll have a clear foresight of what resources you’ll necessitate.

Break Down the Project: A Data Flow Diagram (DFD) or a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) can be extremely advantageous at this stage. Dissecting the project into smaller parts makes it easier to pinpoint specific resources required for each task.
Identify Resource Requirements: Analyzing each task will aid you in identifying the resources needed to complete them. These resources range from human resources, to tools, materials, and software, among others.
Estimate Resource Quantity: After you’ve drafted a list of resource requirements, you should then ascertain what quantity of each resource is needed. For example, a construction project may demand 50 laborers, 10 supervisors, various construction materials like cement, bricks, steel, and machinery like cranes, concrete mixers, etc.

II. Types of Resources

Four primary types of resources to take into account are:

Human Resources: These include the team members involved in the project. They could be in-house staff, outsourced professionals, or consultants. Their quantity, skills, and productivity level are vital parameters in resource planning.
Material Resources: These constitute tangible items used in the project. For an IT project, for instance, it might comprise computers, servers, and software.

Financial Resources: This refers to the project budget and overall financial assets available for the project.
Intangible Resources: Intangible resources comprise time, information, and energy among others.

Resource Type	Example
Human	Staff, consultants
Material	Equipment, software
Financial	Budget
Intangible	Time, information

III. Efficient Resource Allocation

Once the type and number of resources have been determined, allocation becomes the next essential step. Resource allocation implies the effective distribution and deployment of the discerned resources. It engages assigning the resources while taking into account their optimal usage and confirming no resource faces overutilization or underutilization.

In conclusion, determining the number and type of resources in a project plays a foundational role in project management. It not only assists in maintaining budgetary and timeline control but also ensures that the project process runs seamlessly and the anticipated outcomes can be successfully achieved.

Answer the Questions in Comment Section

The time schedule of a project is considered a resource.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: The project time schedule is indeed considered a resource. Time is a critical and often limited resource on any project.

Having too many resources for a project can lead to waste and inefficiency.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: Resource allocation needs to be just right. Over-allocation can often lead to confusion, waste, and inefficiency.

Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS) is used to estimate the cost of the project.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: RBS is used to visualize and understand the spread of resources across the project, not to estimate its cost.

Which of the following is not a type of project resource?

– 1) Human resources
– 2) Financial resources
– 3) Customer feedback
– 4) Physical resources

Answer: Customer feedback

Explanation: Customer feedback, while vital to a project, is not considered a resource. It’s a feedback mechanism, which helps in improving the project.

The resources of a project only contain physical materials.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: The resources of a project include human resources, capital, time, material and equipment, information, and expertise among others.

Simulation techniques can be used to optimize resource allocation.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: True

Explanation: Simulation techniques, like Monte Carlo simulation, can aid in identifying the proper allocation and optimization of resources.

Does a project manager need to consider the expertise and skills of the team when determining resources?

– 1) Yes
– 2) No

Answer: Yes

Explanation: The skills, expertise, and efficiency of the team members are critical while deciding on the amount of resources required for a project.

The demand for resources must always exceed its supply in a project.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: Supply and demand of resources need to be balanced in a project. Excessive demand over supply can create issues like delays and budget overruns.

Risk is considered as a resource in project management.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: Risk is not seen as a resource in project management. Rather, it’s an uncertain event that can impact the project resources if not managed effectively.

Which of these techniques is not used for resource leveling?

– 1) Smoothing
– 2) Resource-limited scheduling
– 3) Fast tracking
– 4) Critical chain method

Answer: Fast tracking

Explanation: Fast tracking is a schedule compression technique where activities are performed in parallel instead of sequentially. It’s not a resource leveling technique.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) includes resources.

– 1) True
– 2) False

Answer: False

Explanation: The WBS represents the work and deliverables of the project and not the resources. Resources are organized through the Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS).