Process: Plan Resource Management
Process Group: Planning
Knowledge Area: Project Resource Management
Purpose
The Plan Resource Management process involves defining how to estimate, acquire, manage, and use physical and team resources throughout the project. It results in the Resource Management Plan, which outlines roles, responsibilities, organizational charts, and resource control procedures.
Inputs
- Project Charter – Includes summary milestones and constraints that influence resource needs.
- Project Management Plan – Especially the quality, scope, and schedule plans that shape resource strategy.
- Project Documents – Includes the project schedule, requirements documentation, stakeholder register, and risk register.
- Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs) – Organizational structure, resource availability, labor market conditions.
- Organizational Process Assets (OPAs) – Templates, historical data, and HR policies.
Tools and Techniques
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Expert Judgment – Provided by HR professionals, project managers, or industry experts familiar with similar work.
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Data Representation
- Hierarchical Charts (e.g., organizational breakdown structure)
- Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) – Such as a RACI chart
- Text-Oriented Formats – Role descriptions, responsibilities, and authority levels
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Organizational Theory – Knowledge of behavior and structure to inform team design and communication strategy.
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Meetings – Collaborative planning with stakeholders and functional managers.
Outputs
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Resource Management Plan – Defines:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Resource acquisition strategy
- Team management approach
- Training, recognition, and release guidelines
- Conflict resolution and escalation paths
- Resource control and reporting procedures
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Team Charter – Establishes team values, norms, working agreements, and communication expectations.
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Project Document Updates – Adjustments to assumptions, risk register, or stakeholder register based on resource planning decisions.
Role in the Process Group and Knowledge Area
- As part of the Planning Process Group, Plan Resource Management sets the foundation for how the team will be structured and supported.
- Within Project Resource Management, it ensures a clear plan exists for how people and physical resources will be managed from start to finish.
Why It Matters
- Clarifies Roles and Accountability – Prevents confusion about who is doing what.
- Improves Team Performance – Promotes cohesion and effectiveness through clear expectations.
- Enables Efficient Resource Use – Aligns resources to the right tasks at the right time.
- Reduces Conflict – Establishes escalation and communication processes in advance.