Course summary

This resource management for projects course provides a comprehensive exploration of the strategies and techniques required to allocate, manage, and optimise resources throughout a project's lifecycle. It focuses on identifying the right resources, balancing workloads, and ensuring the effective utilisation of people, equipment, materials, and external vendors to meet project objectives.

Participants will gain practical insights into resource planning, budgeting, contract, and vendor management, helping them navigate challenges such as resource constraints, vendor negotiations, and procurement processes. By mastering resource management, participants will enhance their ability to deliver projects efficiently, within scope, and on budget.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• identify and assess resource needs, including personnel, equipment, materials, and vendors
• develop a comprehensive resource plan that aligns with project objectives and constraints
• allocate resources efficiently to optimise productivity and minimise conflicts
• use resource management tools to monitor resource utilisation and adjust allocations
• implement strategies to resolve resource conflicts and address shortages
• manage contract negotiations and vendor relationships to support project needs
• balance workloads across the project team to prevent burnout and maintain efficiency.

Content

• Introduction to project resourcing
• Identifying needs (human, equipment, vendors)
• Building a resource plan aligned with objectives
• Make, Buy, or Hire analysis
• Optimising internal and external resources
• Balancing workloads
• Contract and vendor management (selection, negotiation, performance)
• Using resource allocation software and contract tracking tools
• Managing conflicts (shortages, vendor issues)
• Monitoring resource utilisation and adjusting allocations
• Case studies on resource and vendor management

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of project management principles is recommended. No prior experience in resource or vendor management is required.

Who this course is for

This course is for professionals involved in planning, coordinating or delivering projects and business improvement initiatives in their organisation. It applies across structured and fast-moving project environments, including engineering, construction, health, education, government, commercial and non-profit sectors.

• Project managers looking to improve planning, delivery and oversight
• ‘Accidental’ project managers managing projects without formal training
• Team leaders, supervisors and business leaders responsible for project outcomes
• Project coordinators, business analysts and subject matter experts
• Change leaders, managers and support staff involved in organisational initiatives
• Anyone working on projects who wants to better manage timelines, stakeholders and priorities

Delivery modes

• Face-to-face, presenter-taught training
• Online workshop via the platform Zoom

Delivery style

This one-day course focuses on experiential learning, including group activities where the theory is put into action. A range of interactive methods will be used including:

• storytelling and the use of professional examples to exhibit concepts
• self-reflection and group discussions
• case studies where the concepts are actively applied
• individual and team activities.

Materials

You will receive:

• online course materials with case study activities
• online project management tools and templates
• a Statement of Completion.

What you need to do before the course

Please bring your laptop to class to access the course learning materials.