Task Duration Estimates and Resource Allocation Impact on Project Planning

Task Duration Estimates and Resource Allocation Impact on Project Planning

Robert D. Gerardi

Walden University

Principles of Project Management

MSPM 6105

Abstract

Project planning is a challenging process for any industry. It is important to understand the organizational goals of your industry. Quality project planning involves an effective collaboration of organizational leaders and program mangers. Effective planning and management of time, resources and cost are directly tied to the initial and continual detailed project planning.

Task Duration Estimates and Resource Allocation Impact on Project Planning

The Article "The Benchmarking of Project Planning and Success in Selected Industries" illustrated the difficulties of project planning and execution in major industries. It is important to recognize and use historical data in understanding the tendencies of these major industries and their relation to project success. "Maturity" is the common notion used in benchmarking organizational capabilities and analysis (Zwikael & Globerson 2006).

In determining time and cost, benchmarking is an effective process. Engineering and construction and software and communication organizations have high maturity levels and high project management capabilities as a result of effective leadership, information sharing and degree of authorization. What is apparent is that organizational support for project planning enhances quality of planning.

The Project Management Planning Quality (PPMQ) model based on the processes defined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) clearly emphasizes the work breakdown structure (WBS) as an important component in the project planning process. The WBS is an excellent though process tool, helping to estimate effort, time and resource requirements and provide a better understanding about the resources allocation in order to accurately manage the project time. The cost estimation process in the planning phase influences all the items of the project success criteria so the project manager should understand all the importance of the process.

It is equally important to understand the priorities of your industries and defining what are organization projects, and the management of projects verse day to day activities. The production maintenance industry does not view projects as the core of their business and provide less organizational support to projects. The level of project success depends mostly on the project manager (Zwikael & Globerson 2006). The result is often a lower quality of planning as seen in Japanese production organizations leading to an increase in

...