1. Activity Definition Activity List Resource Plan Activity sequencing Activity Resource Estimating Activity Duration Estimating Duration Estimate Network Diagram Schedule Development Integrated Schedule

2. Activity Resource Estimating Activity Resource Estimating involves: Selection of the correct resources to perform the task (“Who will do the job?”) Estimation of the correct amount of effort/expenditure required (ie. “How many labour hours/$ of material etc. will they use?”) Selection of the correct rate of expenditure (ie. “How many hours/day can they?”)

3. Selecting Resources: The “Resource Sheet” Scheduling tools contain a “Resource Sheet” that defines the resources derived from the “Resource Breakdown Structure” (RBS) This sheet is occasionally “custom built” by the scheduler, but usually is stored with a company “template” schedule that also contains various other “standard” formats (eg. Standard working hours, company stat holidays, etc.) Either way, the sheet must: Tie in to cost accounting system – each resource has a typical dollar rate, and may have different overheads attached Typically reflects the “Organizational Breakdown Structure” (OBS – ie. The org chart

4. Selecting Resources: The Responsibility Assignment Matrix Project Manager identifies required skills and matches with functional groups on the Resource Sheet based on experience or organizational “Responsibility Allocation Matrix” (RAM) The RAM is a table which lists the jobs/ responsibilities/ work products for different functions or people within the team or organization Discussed in detail in Team Leadership

5. Definition of Estimate Amount The resource estimate is developed in the same way as the duration estimate: Expert opinion Analagous estimating Probabilistic methods Since the amount of resources used on the project is directly related to the program cost, this is typically performed as part of the Cost Planning process, using the “Basis of Estimate” (BOE) form If detailed enough, BOE is provided to the scheduler to transcribe to the scheduler If not, team lead or PM breaks out BOE amount to the activity level

6. Definition of Resource Expenditure Rate During preliminary scheduling, some SW packages will apply “pre-programmed” distributions: Front-end load: eg. Program Planning Back-end load: eg. Customer Support Uniform (usual default): eg. Team Management During detailed scheduling, expenditure rate driven by trade-offs between: schedule compliance requirements; and team availability as determined by discussions with functional management

7. Typical Resource Estimation Process Project Manager and Team Leads/Functions jointly develop the Activity List Team Leads/Functions submit estimates on activity list and/or BOE form, and Project Manager approves Team Lead or Project Manager enter estimates into scheduling tool using “ideal” activity durations driven by external milestones alone Team Lead and Project Manager review resource expenditure rate generated by scheduling tool, and adjust team size to meet, or engage in “Resource Levelling” (to be discussed hereafter)