For each of these projects I have different concerns with my resources.
For the project that I'm initiating I'm working with the resource managers to make sure I'm on their plan to have the resources I need based on my project requirements. I keep them in the loop if things slip a little or if it looks like we may be adding scope.
For my project that is in the the controlling phase I have to box out my resources as others try to "get a little of their time". There is a fine line with this, because many times you need to trust your resources to manage their own time so they can help out on other projects too.
In my project that I'm closing out I've kept the resource manages in the loop as to when I was going to release the resources so they could be assigned elsewhere.
This is a delicate yet complicated dance that we do as Project managers. The key to this is communication with the project team and the resource managers.
Look ahead for your needs or you will be behind before you know it ....
Always a problem--relying on others for your needs. What makes it especially challenging in my job is that we have 5 PMs in the PM group who are also vying for the same resources, plus the internal requirements (daily maintenance and fix actions) that don't go through the PM team.
ReplyDeleteThose resources have to "best guess" their availability in some future date, not knowing if the operational system will crash during my time of critical need. I have had many projects go Red because their resource managers underestimated their availability.
I've learned to pad the time, and manage the risk of them being late. Our governance process helps, in that the projects coming through our team already have the buy-in and promise of support from the managers. While that doesn't stop the gremlins, we've better learned to account for them when setting our schedules.