Resource Planning Tools: Dealing with the Consequences of Resource Overload

Leaders are appointed not only to make critical decisions but also to manage resources. A good leader is someone who is well aware of the type and quantity of resources available to the organization. However, a competent leader is someone who has the skill to efficiently utilize resources to achieve a particular goal. In the past, managing the resources of a company was a time-consuming process. In the present time, however, leaders have access to resource planning software that enable them to develop a more cost-effective plan so that they can identify the appropriate type and amount of resources needed to produce a product or deliver quality service to their clients.

A resource planning software is an effective tool that leaders can use to deal with problems linked to overload and resource conflicts. It is important to point out that the effectiveness of resource allocation software is dependent on the accuracy of data that are fed into the system. Assuming that the leader has chosen the right people to develop the plan and record pertinent information using the said software, then the leaders can develop methods of resolving resource peaks and conflicts.

An effective way to manage and resolve overload problem is to revise the project plan. Sometimes the managers needed to tweak the order of work. In other cases, managers realized that they must use off-site prefabrication In other words, the limited space inside a factory floor could affect the effective us of equipment and personnel. Waiting time could be reduced if third party suppliers are contracted to fabricate some of the components.

Another method that could be explored in the attempt to reduce overload is to increase the duration of the task. For example, a manufacturing process that requires ten hours to complete with seven people can be modified so that it will take twenty hours to finish with three people. Therefore, the workers are not pushed to the limit and the company does not sacrifice the quality of the final product.

Leaders should also consider accelerating the working time of a project if this strategy is suited to the needs of the firm. An accelerated work time will free up resources so that these could be allocated for other tasks. Resource planning tools can help leaders make sense of voluminous data that at first glance may seem disjointed but further analysis will reveal a pattern. As a result managers have a clear picture of the manufacturing or development process so that they can make the necessary adjustments. For example, they can substitute one resource with another available resource without sacrificing quality and without disrupting the workflow.

Finally, leaders can apply a technique called resource levelling or levelling the schedule. In this particular technique, leaders are able to delay activities to reduce resource overload and resource conflict. Thus, activities will only resume if a particular resource is already available.