7.2 Acquire Project Team - 7.2 Acquire Project Team
Acquire Project Team is a critical process in Project Resource Management that involves identifying and acquiring the necessary human resources to complete project activities. This process ensures that the project has the right people with the right skills at the right time to achieve project objectives.
Key Concepts
1. Resource Planning
Resource Planning involves identifying the skills, competencies, and roles required for the project. This includes understanding the types of resources needed, their availability, and the timing of their involvement. Resource planning ensures that the project team is well-equipped to handle all tasks and deliverables.
Example: For an engineering project to design a new product, resource planning might identify the need for mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, software developers, and quality assurance specialists. The plan would also outline when each role is needed throughout the project lifecycle.
2. Resource Acquisition
Resource Acquisition involves securing the identified resources. This can include hiring new team members, reassigning existing staff, or contracting external experts. The goal is to ensure that the project has the necessary talent and expertise to meet its objectives.
Example: In a construction project, resource acquisition might involve hiring skilled laborers, securing the services of a structural engineer, and contracting a specialized subcontractor for electrical work. Each resource is acquired based on the project's specific needs and timelines.
3. Team Formation
Team Formation involves assembling the acquired resources into a cohesive project team. This includes defining team roles, establishing communication channels, and setting expectations for collaboration. Effective team formation ensures that team members understand their responsibilities and can work together efficiently.
Example: For a software development project, team formation might involve creating a cross-functional team with members from different disciplines such as front-end development, back-end development, and user experience design. The team would be organized to ensure seamless collaboration and effective communication.
4. Resource Allocation
Resource Allocation involves assigning specific tasks and responsibilities to team members based on their skills and availability. This process ensures that each team member is utilized effectively and that the project's workload is distributed appropriately.
Example: In an engineering project, resource allocation might involve assigning a mechanical engineer to design the product's chassis, an electrical engineer to develop the control system, and a software developer to write the embedded code. Each team member is allocated tasks that align with their expertise.
5. Resource Management Tools
Resource Management Tools are software applications or platforms used to plan, track, and manage project resources. These tools help in visualizing resource availability, tracking utilization, and forecasting future needs. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the project team is effectively managed and utilized.
Example: For a project management office (PMO), resource management tools might include project management software like Microsoft Project or Asana. These tools allow the PMO to track resource assignments, monitor workload, and adjust allocations as needed to ensure optimal performance.
Examples and Analogies
Think of acquiring a project team as building a dream sports team. Just as you need to scout for talented players, negotiate contracts, and assemble them into a cohesive unit, you need to identify, acquire, and form a project team with the right skills and expertise. Effective resource management is like coaching the team to ensure everyone plays their part and works together towards a common goal.
For instance, in an engineering project to design and build a new product, acquiring the project team would involve identifying the key roles needed, securing the necessary talent, and organizing them into a collaborative team. By effectively managing resources, the project manager ensures that the team is well-equipped to deliver a high-quality product on time and within budget.
By understanding and effectively executing the Acquire Project Team process, project managers can ensure that their projects have the right talent and expertise to achieve success.