Resource management tools

Resource management tools are supportive computer-based instruments making it easier to deal with project resources like personnel, time, money, facilities, technologies, labor, etc. According to basic resource management process, first of all, it is necessary to create resource management plan that explains how resources are allocated and coordinated to deliver required results. Such a plan can be handled with a help of VIP Task Manager. Let’s consider in this article some of instruments which a standard functionality of resource management tools may include, and how this functionality works in the mentioned program:

• Resource management database – this is an electronic databank where you can input the initial nomenclature, qualities and amounts of available business resources explained in terms of numbers and quality traits. In VIP Task Manager you can plan project’s staff members, their tasks, objectives and duties in terms of time, costs and requirements.

• Resource management calendar – this is a time-grid showing how resources (persons, equipment, vehicles, etc.) will be utilized in terms of projected time, so that no scheduling conflicts can appear. VIP Task Manager features multi-regime sharable Calendar view where you can plan project timeline, events, business of employees and equipment, and other things.
• Resource management spreadsheet – it is a table-like instrument which can be used for listing project items, events, tasks, etc. and describing them in terms of multiple attributes. In VIP Task Manager you can find agile Task List mode where you can create lists of tasks and items along with explaining them with any number of standard and custom attributes.

• Resource management matrix – this is an instrument to list project resources like specialists, stakeholders, vehicles, equipment etc, so they can be assigned to certain workloads. VIP Task Manager is a tool where you can use Resource list to register your team members and some other business resources like office rooms, facilities and vehicles in order to plan time when they will be occupied.
• Resource management report – people should report on how well they utilize entrusted resources, so that the project manager can control situation over effectiveness of their activities. Owing to client-server technology VIP Task Manager allows people to report their performance in real-time regime, so that supervisors can check if actual time- and cost-oriented results match the estimated ones.

• Resource management chart – usually, to understand working trends and results in a better manner, it is necessary to visualize them via diagrams. VIP Task Manager provides simple charts that can be used to analyze different information, for example overruns of time and budget.
• Resource management template – when working with typical or recurring projects it is possible to add some facilitation by using patterns on planning and using resources. VIP Task Manager provides possibilities to create and store project templates in archive, so they can be easily retrieved when necessary.