Appearance
6.4 Resource Planning
Project success depends on getting the right people, tools, and materials in the right place at the right time.
🏗️ The Resource Spectrum
In PMP terms, "Resources" includes both human talent and physical materials.
Team Resources
People
Managing skills, availability, and growth. Focus on Servant Leadership and team health.
Physical Resources
Tools & Material
Managing equipment, rentals, software licenses, and facilities. Focus on Logistics and control.
📋 Key Planning Artifacts
- Resource Management Plan: The strategy for how resources will be acquired, managed, and released.
- Resource Requirements: A detailed list of what is needed (e.g., "3 Senior Developers for 2 months").
- Physical Resource Documentation: Ensuring you have the legal right to use tools/materials.
- Team Charter: Explicitly defined in Chapter 3, but legally part of Resource Planning because it defines how human resources will interact.
📈 Managing Constraints
- Resource Leveling: Adjusting the schedule based on resource limits. (Usually delays the finish date).
- Resource Smoothing: Adjusting activities within their Float so as not to exceed resource limits. (Does not delay the finish date).
🛠️ 2026 Focus: Virtual Logistics
Modern resource planning must account for Digital Latency. If your team is global, do they have the same cloud infrastructure? Is the physical hardware available in their specific region (e.g., chip shortages)?
📝 Exam Insight: If a project is delayed because of "waiting for equipment," the root cause is poor Physical Resource Management. If it's delayed because of "unclear roles," the fix is the RACI Matrix.