Guide to Successful Resource Management

Guide to Successful Resource Management

Resource management is important in construction. But it’s especially important in construction. Construction projects operate on precise timelines, so deliveries have to be scheduled, people have to be available, and the weather is always a factor. This is why current paper forms, verbal communication, and other obscure means to track information cause messages to be lost or forgotten.  Or worse, can cause serious delays or financial hardships.

A resource management plan should outline all of the resources needed for a project, along with the costs and possible risks. Because there are many factors in a plan, things can change over time causing a change in needs. This is why the plan has to be quickly and easily adaptable.

Resources in construction aren’t just the building materials. Resources are also employees and equipment. Any effective resource management plan has to know the number of workers, types and amount of equipment, and other needs. It moves projects forward because you know what will be needed and can plan for it.

With a finite amount of resources, they have to be scheduled to increase productivity and decrease downtime. Which is why things like assessment, inventory, and communication are crucial to any plan.

1. Communication

Successful resource management starts with communication. Communication with project stakeholders helps to set all milestones, deadlines and other project aspects. But there also has to be communication within the office. Without communication, you won’t know people’s schedules or the needs of other projects. These parts are crucial to resource management because scheduling something or someone that can’t physically be there will cause hold-ups. Not to mention it doesn’t reflect well on the business or your work. With the information you gather at this stage of resource management you’ll be able to build a better plan.

2. Inventory

Knowing the number of workers, you have on payroll, and the type and amount of equipment you have is important. But, it’s more than a numbers game. You have to know the status of the equipment or people. If someone has requested a day or week off, if a piece of equipment has scheduled maintenance, these are necessary to know for any resource management plan. When you know when workers and equipment are scheduled for other locations, you can find ways to accommodate that.

Taking inventory can also mean determining the necessary tasks needed to complete the project. Once you determine the tasks that will need to be done, you can use that information in the next part.

3. Assessment

Using past knowledge, old data, and the experience of those around you, you’ll have a wealth of information. You can use that information to assess the needs of a current project and determine what will be needed for the project. Using analytics and knowledge, you can determine what will be needed at the various steps of the project. As well as provide a better idea of what specifically each task will take, the costs incurred and other important project variables.

4. Ways of Resource Management

Using experience and your recently gathered information you can build a resource plan. Traditionally, resource managers used paper methods to manage their resources on projects. Either through a template that acts as a checklist, a matrix, coded systems, or software. Resource managers can use templates to check and confirm everything that is needed to execute the project. Within a digital format, you can easily update and share the resource plan with stakeholders and others that need the information. They can also provide feedback to ensure every detail is on the mark.  A matrix and coded system work in similar ways. They also tend to be by hand or on paper.

5. Software Designed for Resource Management

In 2018, there are more efficient and reliable systems that help eliminate errors and obstacles. Cloud-based software is an excellent option for resource management. Resource management software can access other project schedules, employee, and equipment information, along with past similar projects. So it’s easily available to you and all in one place. Since you can save everything to the cloud, you won’t have to track down other project information. And as it is in the cloud, other people with access to the project can see any resource management plan. It’s easy to attach to an email to shareholders.

Without successful resource management, construction projects are likely to run into issues. Make sure to implement a strategy and select the right software solution that is designed only for a subcontractor.

Sources

For Construction Pros|Construction Resource Management Benefits Entire Organization