If you’ve ever had to manage a project – whether at work or at home – you’ll know that a project manager needs various resources. And whether a project is delivered on time, on budget, or both, is down to how well those resources have been managed. So it’s your job to ensure that your resources are managed as efficiently and productively as possible.
So what exactly is a resource? A resource is something that you can call upon to complete your project. Resources can be classified into four main types:
People: This includes yourself, anyone else on the project team, and any subcontractors you bring in.
Money: Most projects have a budget to work to. For big projects, this could be in millions, or even billions. For smaller projects this could be nothing. (But a budget of zero still needs to be adhered to!)
Assets: Equipment that you own, borrow, buy or hire to help you deliver your project.
Time: We all have the same 24 hours in a day. It’s down to you to decide how you use them.
Resources can be classified into two types – consumable or non-consumable – and understanding the difference will help you get the most from them. A consumable resource is one that is used up by the project. Three tons of concrete used to create the foundations of a building are a consumable resource because, once the foundations have been created, the resource has been used. That concrete can’t be used again. Time is another consumable resource. Spend two hours searching the market for a new car, and those two hours have been spent. You can’t use them again. (More’s the pity; we could all do with a bit of extra time!)
A non-consumable resource is one that you can use again and again, either on the same project, or a different project at a later date. People are a non-consumable resource. If they spend a week working on one project, they can spend two days the following week working on another project. Other non-consumable resources include equipment, such as computers, machines, vehicles and computer software.
Understanding this concept enables a project manager to use resources more effectively. All resources are limited, so it’s vital that they are used efficiently. Whether you’re planning to re-fit your kitchen or you’re in charge of building a skyscraper, no person or company has a limitless supply of cash. If you want to be an effective project manager you have to learn to squeeze every ounce of help from the resources that you have available.
Author: Diana Nadin
