Description
When allocating resources to a project, review the project team as a whole rather simply one individual at a time. Final assignments to the project should consider the strengths & weakness of the team as a whole. For example, if a project requires 3 developers with 5 years of experience but these types of resource are not readily available, consider using 2 senior developers and 1 junior developer. Additionally, complementary behaviors could be taken into account as well.
Benefits
- Increases the flexibility of resource allocation by increasing staffing options.
- Improves the performance of the project team.
Implementation Considerations
- Consider utilizing a methodology, such as Myers-Briggs to predict team dynamics. It is important to note that such tests are merely indicators and should not be treated as definitive predictors.
- An alternative to behavioral indicators is to track the success of the team. For successful teams, attempt to put the same individuals together on future projects.
- To increase the value added by the resource manager, he/she should provide feedback on the strengths & weaknesses of the team, which will enable the manager to proactively manage the team.
Metrics
- Number of potential teams per project
