6 4 Estimate Activity Resources The process of

6. 4 Estimate Activity Resources The process of estimating the type and quantities of material, people, equipment or supplies required to perform each activity • Closely related to the Estimate Costs process (7. 2) and normally done simultaneously • Sometimes the resources are captured in project management software, most particularly human resources • Supplementary registers are often maintained for non human resources Monitor • Occurs during the Planning Phase Initiation Planning Execution Close Control Adapted from PMBOK 5 th Edition

6. 3 Estimate Activity Resources Inputs to Estimate Activity Resources ü Schedule Management Plan ü Activity list and attributes ü Resource Calendars: resource availability and skills ü Risk register ü Activity cost estimates ü Enterprise environmental factors: resource location, skills, availability ü Organisational process assets: – Staffing policies and procedures – Procurement policies and procedures – Historical information on resources Adapted from PMBOK 5 th Edition

6. 3 Estimate Activity Resources Tools and techniques to Estimate Activity Resources Alternatives Analysis Project Management Software Bottom-Up Estimating Published Estimating Data Expert Judgement Adapted from PMBOK 5 th Edition

6. 4 Estimate Activity Resources Published Estimating Data $100 per sqm ü Many industries (eg Construction) have standard production rates and unit costs for common activities Bottom-Up Estimating ü Decomposing activities into more detail to assist with estimation Project Management Software ü Can assist with planning, organising and managing resources ü Different levels of sophistication MS Pr oje ct Monitor Initiation ra e v a m i r P Planning Execution Close Control Adapted from PMBOK 5 th Edition

Practical Tips to Estimate Duration Experience has taught me that often the best way to estimate the duration of an activity is to ask the person who will be performing the activity to make an estimate I have also learnt that most people are – – Optimistic so that they underestimate the work effort required; – Assume they are productive for more hours per day than they really are; and – Fail to include rework and sign off activities as part of their estimate In practice I will double, or sometimes triple, these estimates before putting them in the project schedule x 2

6. 4 Estimate Activity Resources Outputs of this process include – ü Activity Resource Requirements – Captured in project management software or supplementary registers ü Resource Breakdown Structure – Hierarchical chart of resources required – Commonly depicted as the project organisation structure for human resources ü Revised Activity List and Attributes ü Revised Resource Calendar Monitor – Resources marked as unavailable Initiation Planning Execution Close Control Adapted from PMBOK 5 th Edition

6. 4 Estimate Activity Resources - Example Ta sk ID Phase/Task Description Dependencies Resources 1. Design Phase 2. Design Shed N/A Architect 3. Obtain Councils Approval 2 (Design Shed) FS Project Manager, Architect 4. Council Approval Obtained 3 (Obtain Councils App. . ) FS Project Manager 5. End design phase 4 (Council Approval Ob. . ) FS 6. Execution Phase 7. Sign contract 5 (End design phase) FS Project Manager, Client 8. Check existing boundaries 5 (End design phase) FS Surveyor 9. Check underground cable locations 5 (End design phase) FS Surveyor 10. Establish site services and amenities 5 (End design phase) FS Site Manager, Project Manager, Site Office 11. Excavate site 7 (Sign contract) FS 8 (Check existing boun. . ) FS 9 (Check underground. . ) FS 10 (Establish site servic. . ) FS Construction 1, Construction 2, Construction 3