The following article is part of the self-preparation for the modern BVOP® Certified Project Manager program.
Reading time: 2 minutes, 51 seconds
- What is Resource Management in the BVOP context?
- Cross‐functionality of the teams
- Program and projects continuous assessment
- Resources supply
What is Resource Management in the BVOP context?
Resource management in the context of BVOP refers to the evaluation, assessment, and allocation of resources between individual projects, teams, and activities of the organization.
The topic includes main activities such as planning, evaluation, and request of financial resources, physical or non-physical resources, planning and request of new staff, planning and requesting training, etc.
Resources may relate to finance, environment, safety needs, professional human skills, materials, information technology, tools, databases, and other physical or nonphysical assets needed for the realization of the program.
The Business Value-Oriented Program Management (BVOPGM) office estimates and allocates resources during the entire program realization, which may lead to involvement in:
- Planning, estimating and requesting financial resources
- Planning, estimating and requesting physical or nonphysical resources
- Planning and requesting new personnel recruitment
- Planning and requesting training
- Withdrawing resources from a project or entire program
- Allocating resources across projects
Program, project, and product management roles collaborate for proper resources planning, as well as estimate and eliminate waste.
Cross‐functionality of the teams
The BVOP focuses on the general cross-functionality of the teams working on a single project. Cross-functional project teams are a major factor for the successful project realization. Such teams usually include people with different expertise and work together for accomplishing common objectives.
If a project consists of a team with the entire needed skill sets, the general productivity may be higher than the ones often relying on external support.
Team members of the cross-functional teams need to share information, collaborate, work together, and support each other.
Program and projects continuous assessment
Periodically all projects and the whole program need to be evaluated. If the entire program or its projects require significant resources and time to complete, market, user, and business needs may change as the projects are completed.
Once any changes have been identified, projects and the entire program need to adapt.
Resources supply
Projects may need an additional supply of resources over time. If initiatives are assessed as successful and teams or tools need additional resources, the BVOPGM office usually plans and requests more specialists joining the teams, as well as financial resources, technologies, tools, or software.
The following issues related to chapter "Program resources management" are included in the certification exam. The sequence of questions is presented in the table.
The data is current as of September 7, 2024, 8:03 pm
| ID | Issue | Time | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Resources supply | 60 sec | PGM, PM |
| 1 | Program and projects continuous assessment | 60 sec | PGM, PM |
| 2 | Cross‐functionality of the teams | 60 sec | PGM, PM |
| 3 | What is Resource Management in the BVOP context? | 60 sec | PGM, PM |
Comments from the BVOP™ community on “Program resources management”
Alcina Constantinides
All projects need resources. However, the organization needs to know how much resources should be provided for the development of all projects. This, of course, must be in line with the priority of the projects, the estimated profits, and benefits for the users.
Resource management, in my view, is the most difficult task for program management, because many teams from different departments are involved in this step, and different stakeholders require this information.
Usually, time and money planning are done not only to predict these rates. Many people are unaware that this information serves for possible loans, salary calculations, marketing initiatives, maintenance of equipment and environment.
You see in the guidebook how many kinds of resources are included in the resource management. Every forecast is required by business people, investors, banks, partners, and at the same time, the organization must maintain a sustainable business model and happy staff. Program management has a very important role in all these perspectives.
Summary
BVOP resource management involves evaluating and allocating resources for projects, teams, and activities. This includes financial, physical, and non-physical resources, as well as staffing and training. The BVOPGM office is responsible for estimating and allocating resources throughout the program. Collaboration between program, project, and product management roles is necessary for effective resource planning and waste elimination.
BVOP emphasizes cross-functional teams for successful project completion. Such teams consist of individuals with diverse expertise working together towards a common goal. Projects with complete skill sets may be more productive than those relying on external support. Cross-functional team members must collaborate and support each other. Regular evaluation of projects and programs is necessary, as changing needs may require adaptation. Successful initiatives may require additional resources, which can be requested through the BVOPGM office.
- Previous article Program stakeholder management
Hello. I have a question. I hope I do not bother you. How does the project manager answer for resources? It is usually not a person who has resources (teams, people, money or tools). From my modest experience, I think it's impossible. Please share some details. Thanks in advance.
Hello Vang, The project manager crates a plan for the needed resources and presents this plan to the project stakeholders, Project sponsor and other roles. This is how the project manager asks or requests resources. If it's not approved or supplied this is not something that the project manager should worry about. The actual responsibility is at the high management side.
As BVOP teaching has recently inspired me to think more deeply about all management and business topics, I have more contemporary and more modern perspectives now. I want to add my supplement on the topic of resource management. The idea of waste elimination is mentioned above. A new point and activity can be added to resource planning regarding the creation of a Waste Elimination Plan as part of overall resource management for the entire program.
Dear Anna,
Thanks for your comment. Your idea for Waste Elimination Plan sounds good and we're glad you shared it. We hope our readers will notice it and consider your thoughts, even though your concept is only briefly mentioned.