BSBPMG503A Manage Project Time

6.3 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 (7.1) 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

• Occurs during the Planning Phase

Adapted from PMBOK 4th Edition

Initiation Planning Execution Close

Monitor

Control

BSBPMG503A Manage Project Time

6.3 Estimate Activity Resources

• Inputs to Estimate Activity Resources

Activity list and attributes

Resource Calendars

Resource availability and skills

Staffing policies and procedures

Procurement policies and procedures

• Tools and techniques to Estimate Activity Resources

Adapted from PMBOK 4th Edition

Bottom-UpEstimating

ExpertJudgement

AlternativesAnalysis

PublishedEstimating

Data

ProjectManagement

Software

BSBPMG503A Manage Project Time

6.3 Estimate Activity Resources

• Published Estimating Data

Many industries (eg Construction) have standard production rates and unit costs for common activities

• Bottom-Up Estimating

Decomposing activities into more detail to assist with estimation

• Project Management Software

Can assist with planning, organising and managing resources

Different levels of sophistication Initiation Planning Execution Close

Monitor

Control

Adapted from PMBOK 4th Edition

BSBPMG503A Manage Project Time

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

BSBPMG503A Manage Project Time

6.3 Estimate Activity Resources

• Outputs of this process include –

Activity Resource Requirements

– Captured in project management software or supplementary registers

Resource Breakdown Structure

– Hierarchical chart of resources required

– Commonly depicted as the project organisation structure for human resources

Revised Activity List and Attributes

Revised Resource Calendar

– Resources marked as unavailable

Adapted from PMBOK 4th Edition

Initiation Planning Execution Close

Monitor

Control