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CHAPTER 4.2

ROLE-BASED NEEDS FOR
MANAGING RESOURCES IN A
PROJECT-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION

L et’s shift gears a bit. In the previous chapter, we look at the mechanics of a re-
source scheduling system. It was deliberately a narrow look. Our key concern
was the tying of resource assignments to defined tasks and creating resource-
loaded schedules. But there is so much more to the subject on managing re-
sources on projects. So we need to look at the topic through the eyes of the
various resource groups and examine their needs.

In this chapter we explore the objectives, goals, and needs of various disci-
plines within the enterprise, associated with the management of project portfolios
and the resources utilized to support these projects. We then go on to discuss is-
sues and solutions that are associated with these needs.

Each discussion is aimed at a specific segment of the enterprise, such as Oper-
ations, Strategic Planning, Projects, and Functional Management. We cover a
wide range of stakeholders, both at varying levels of management and contribu-
tion, and external as well as internal stakeholders.

A common thread is the strong need for fresh, quality information, accessible
by a large community, in forms that support free and clear communication and
promote good decisions and selection of alternatives.

Introduction
Today’s typical organization is considerably more complex than in the 1960s
(when organizational structure and boundaries were fairly well-defined) or in the

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