Human resource planning

Developing the human resource plan

The human resource planning process generates the organisational chart for the project and the staffing management plan based on the organisational breakdown structure and the responsibility assignment matrix.

Roles, responsibilities and relationships

The roles and responsibilities need to be defined for either a group of people or an individual. The groups and individuals may be internal, or they may be a contracted project management firm, other specialist organisations and consultants. In the case of external groups and individuals, it is absolutely necessary that the roles of the people, as well as their responsibilities, be documented prior to project execution.

Acquiring the project team

Staff acquisition is the process of getting the required human resources assigned to, and working on, the project.

Team member acquisition

The factors for consideration during team acquisition are:

• Availability – When are people available, and for how long?
• Ability – What skill sets and knowledge do these people have?
• Experience – How much relevant experience do the people assigned to the project have?
• Personal characteristics – What personality traits do the team members have? Will they work well together?
• Interests – Are the project team members interested in their assigned tasks?
• Costs – How much will the project team members be paid?

Responsibility assignment matrix

By combining the WBS and project organisational chart, the Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) is developed. The RAM displays the lowest level of both the WBS and the organisational chart, identifying specific responsibility for performing and reviewing, or approving specific tasks.

Many project RAMs are based on the RACI format (Responsible, Accountable, Consult and Inform). A table is drawn, usually with activities on the vertical edge (WBS) and resources on the horizontal edge (organisational chart). For example:

 Following the development of the RAM, the project network diagram and Gantt charts can be developed.

Join the PROJECT ADVANTAGE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM Here