Is your next project on the row? You must be busy with resource planning. But as project managers, we have been through such instances when even well-executed resource planning leads to blunders. Such mistakes badly affect a project, whether it’s the wrong time estimates or a last-minute skill gap. That’s why more and more companies have started relying on employee management software, also known as resource planning software. According to a report, 95% of businesses that implemented resource management software saw improved business processes.
But before you take the next step, you must understand the mistakes you need to overcome. Here are the top resource planning mistakes that you may often encounter.
9 Common resource planning mistakes
- Inadequate resource forecasting
Project failures often occur due to insufficient resources. Similarly, even if your team is fully packed, but none possess the abilities required for a specific task, the project would likely fail! In addition, poor resource allocation would negatively impact the complete project. Thus. Before beginning any project, be sure you have the right skill and quantity of resources.
- Wrong resource allocation
If you are picking resources for roles without relevant skills or experience, be prepared for the project to fail. The same applies to the project manager itself. While a novice project manager can pick up the necessary skills on the job, acquiring the tips and tricks could take time. It is advisable to appoint the project manager who is the most qualified.
- Too much micromanaging
Yes, the project manager has to monitor project progress, but intruding too much becomes micromanaging. Thus, instead of having the time and space to concentrate on their individual tasks, employees are now spending more time and effort to anticipate and adapt to every new idea. Implement a standard employee management software rather than hovering over the team so they can update and demonstrate the progress without being rushed.
- Lack of cohesiveness in the team
The project team members should be on the same page if you want desired results. Each team member must understand why the project is important, its primary goals, and how it will benefit the business. Everyone involved should know the project’s urgency, the deadlines, and how failure will impact the project and the business. Overall, it is crucial to have a strong communication plan in place.
- Poorly estimated time and budget.
Giving wrong time estimates under pressure from clients or management occurs more frequently than you think. Everyone wants their projects completed as quickly as possible, but cutting corners on your project’s timeline to give consumers overly optimistic estimations will only cause delays and lead to disappointment. You must commit to realistic time estimates to ensure the project’s overall schedule and maintain client relationships and confidence.
- Not being compliant with rules & policies.
Every company has a set of rules and policies. You might get in trouble with the law by skipping compliance requirements and even face hefty compensations. Yes, you want your project to be a huge success but stay within the do’s and don’ts of the organization. Good employee management software can help you plan things accordingly while ensuring compliance.
- Failing to adapt
Not just the resource planning but every aspect of the project should exhibit flexibility. Decide on your process, team, resources, strategy, and software, but leave a little room for adjustments. For instance, you can consider new ideas or suggestions from the team members, especially when you face unpredicted challenges. On the contrary, the project will be more difficult for everyone to participate in and less likely to be completed on time and within budget if you don’t adapt at all.
- Not considering dependencies
Dependencies refer to specific actions you must take before moving on to the next stage. It can also include resources that must be transferred from the previous to the next task/project. By totally forgetting dependencies, resource planning often results in substantial lags in schedule and last-minute resource unavailability.
- Not using appropriate technology
Coming to the major mistake in today’s modern work environment. You will most likely commit the above mistakes if you don’t use an updated tool. Employee management software can support and streamline the complete project execution by providing essential project insights, employee performance details, time estimates, etc.
How does employee management software overcome these mistakes?
Say goodbye to the old and outdated method of managing a project. A specialized software designed for modern and fast-paced project management needs. Hence, the best way to advance your project and resource management is with the help of employee management software.
The eResource Scheduler is one such robust employee management software that improves resource planning and provides transparency and crucial insights. Some of this software’s notable features are real-time employee visibility, a centralized resource database, financial reports, etc. With such handy features, the software gives managers an edge in making wise decisions.