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Estimate Activity Resources

Presented by

Dipo Tepede, PMP, SSBB, MBA

PM tutorEmpowering Excellence

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•  Be able to describe the resource breakdown structure

•  Be able to list factors that influence activity resource estimating

•  Be able to explain why bottom-up estimating is used in Estimating Activity Resources

•  Be able to define the difference between activity list and activity attribute


At the end of this training, our goal is for you to:


Project Time Management

Timely Completion

Time


Time Processes Process Group

Define Activities

Sequence Activities


Estimate Activity Durations

Develop Schedule

Control Schedule M & C

PLAN

PLAN

PLAN

PLAN

PLAN

•  Define Activities – Identify actions to produce the project

deliverables •  Sequence Activities – Identify activity relationships to

document predecessor and successor •  Estimate Activity Resources – Estimate type & quantities of resources

needed per activity


Time Processes

•  Estimate Activity Durations

– Estimate an approximate duration for each activity

•  Develop Schedule

– Analyze all of the above to create the project schedule

•  Control Schedule – Monitor the project status to manage

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Time Processes


Main Concept

Time Estimation

Who is going to perform the

activity


Types of Resources


People

Equipment

Goods

Material

•  To dig a hole 40 X 40 X 40 cm in size


Resource determines Duration

You

6 yr old girl 1 – 2 hours

10 secs Excavating Machine

10 – 20 mins


Three Factors Complexity of activity and skill level of resource

Organization’s history in doing similar activities

Availability of required resources


Cost Perspective

Know how and experience

Trainings for resources

Hire external resources

To determine resources


Schedule

Consider Schedule


Estimate Act. Resources Input

Required Inputs

Resource Calendars

Activity Attributes

Ent. Env. Factors

Activity List Org. Process

Assets


Estimate Act. Resources T&T

Expert Judgment Alternative

Analysis

Published Estimating Data

Bottom-up Estimating

Project Management Software


Answer Two Questions

Who will execute our activities?

How will they execute our activities?


Who?

Experts Opinion on who should

do it

How else to do the

job Who can do it


Published Estimating Data

Time Estimation Cost for

Resources

Allow to take cost into account while

estimating resources


HOW?

Expert

Data

Alternatives

• Gives various ways of how to perform an activity

• Cost of various alternatives

• Analyzes which alternative is better, faster


Project Management Software

•  Resource breakdown structures • Resource calendars • Rates and cost • Material label

• Schedule Activities • Res. Availability • Schedule Alternatives

Benefits of all these in one software

Latest generation software includes


Bottom-Up Estimating Break activities into smaller, more manageable

activities

Assign people, equipment, material and goods

Estimate resource for each activity


Why Bottom-Up Estimating?

Type of resources required

We are not doing bottom-up estimating to estimate how LONG

the activities will take

Number of resources required


Estimate Act. Resources Output

Activity Resource Requirements

Tracking Systems Resource Breakdown

Structure

Project Document Updates


Activity Resources Requirements

• Number & type of resources for each activity is known

• Irrespective of when we will need to them.

• Only consider that we need them for completion of activities

Project

Welding Transportation Plumbing


Resource Breakdown Structure

Master Welders

Apprentice Welders

Forklift Operators

Truck Drivers

Crane Operators

Pipelayers

Plumbers

Pipefitters

Steamfitters


Activity List & Attributes

Activity List

Activity Attributes

• Comprehensive list of all activities

• Characteristics of schedule activities


Resource Calendars

Update Resource specific calendars

This ensure resource is available when required

•  Sample questions in sample tests online or in books

– None

– Activity resource estimating process is one of the more obscure processes

•  Understand the concepts, inputs, T&T and outputs


Sample Questions

•  Take activities and resources

•  Apply expert judgment and alternative analysis

•  Define the resources

•  Document this as Activity resource requirements and in the activity attributes

•  Create a Resource Breakdown Structure


Review (1)

•  Without knowing the type of resources, we will not be able to estimate the activity duration.

•  Estimate Activity Duration is the next process in Project Time Management


Review (2)

•  Work together with a study partner

– Set 2 hours every weekend to meet

– Ask each other sample questions – Helps you greatly in understanding the

reasoning behind them

•  If you can’t find another PM to work with you, ask your husband, wife, brother or sister or work colleague.


Exam Tip

Documents

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