by Ashleigh-Ellan Kavanagh

Created on: April 17, 2010

There lots of factors to consider in project planning and management such as materials, labour and other resources. Project management is very important as it can mean the difference between a completed project and a failed one. It can also mean the difference between a profit and a loss. Managing the range of different resources demands a range of tools and methods.

MATERIALS: To manage materials, the material itself must be taken into account. For example, on a construction project, materials such as sand must be stored raised off the ground, where-as bricks can just be left and be fairly alright by the time you come to use them. Organising where and when ina project you need materials will also help prevent the loss of both time and money. Spreadsheets can be used to tell people on the project what materials need to be where throughout the project.

LABOUR: To manage labour, spreadsheets can also be used as can other types of chart. Perhaps the charts for materials and labour relate? In this case, planning becomes much easier also. A tried and tested way of managing labour, is to only have the people you need on site at any one time. For example, back to our construction project, there is very little point having a group of brick-workers on site when you're trying to install plumbing! Be sensible and use common sense for labour management. Afterall, common sense is always the best tool!

OTHER RESOURSES: Paper resources can be a blessing. They can also be a nightmare. A great way of managing paper resources, such as briefs, designs and other business items, is to computerise them all. That way you can easily locate resources, even link them if you feel particularly technically inclined! The advantages of computerised resources is that on a bigger project where many people need access to the resources, every one can have a copy to use via e-mail. Computerised copies of resources can also be used after the project, to check the accuracies of the project.

There are also many general planning and management programs out there. Try using search engines to locate and test new software and methods, or just stick with what you know. You could also consider hiring a specialist for your project, if you think that this would of benifit, and is financially viable. But remember, common sense really is the best planning and management tool!

Learn more about this author, Ashleigh-Ellan Kavanagh.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.