The duties of resource managers (RMs) and project managers (PMs), which are sometimes assumed or misunderstood, varies greatly across the business.
If a business wants to complete a project on time and under budget, PM and RM are essential to attaining this objective. For the engagement to be delivered successfully, both tasks are crucial.
While the RM handles tasks at the business unit level, the PM focuses on particular projects. The project manager makes sure that projects are completed on schedule and within budget, while RM makes sure that projects are given the proper resources.
After the business is awarded the contract, the RM’s duties start. When resources are finalized, RM makes sure they are boarded correctly before moving on to the next project.
It is the project manager’s responsibility to oversee these resources and complete the project within its specified parameters and SLAs.
One thing to keep in mind is that without the proper resources, the project cannot begin, hence in every industry, the functions of RM and PM are interdependent.
What a project manager (PM) does
The PM is in charge of managing and completing one or more projects from beginning to end. The main responsibility of a project manager is to complete projects on schedule and within budget while adhering to the SLA (service level agreement) that has been established.
With the assistance of the project team, the PM’s function is project-specific and is concentrated on implementing projects on time and within budget. In essence, project managers own the projects, and it is their responsibility to guarantee that the projects are completed properly and in accordance with the goals of the business and the expectations of the clients.
Responsibilities of a Project Manager
- Planning, observing, creating project management strategies, and coordinating with management and stakeholders
- Creating a budget and ensuring a project is executed cost-effectively without sacrificing quality
- Tracking SLA (service level agreement) monitoring to assess project performance
- Completing the job within the allotted time and money
- Identify hazards and develop a plan for risk reduction
- Development of CSI (Continuous Improvement of Services) for both soft and hard dollar services
- Accounttable for runbooks, other paperwork, and SOPs (standard operating procedures)
- CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Assessment) follow-up, improvement, and closure responsibility
- In charge of project evaluation and Six Sigma quality process
- Team motivation, performance reviews, promotions, career path structuring, etc. are all examples of people management
Resource Manager’s (RM) function
The main responsibility of RM is to make sure project managers have enough resources to complete the project. The RM makes sure the business unit (BU) has the resources to fulfill its commitments while the PM works at the project level.
RM isn’t connected to any particular projects, but in reality, their function is transitory to the project in question, and after the resources are used up, they move on to a different one.
Responsibilities of Resource Manager
- Having a thorough understanding of the project’s budget and allocating the appropriate resources
- Availability schedule: The necessary resources should always be on the bench, and RM has to be informed of upcoming tasks.
- Search and filter resources according to expertise, aptitude, and accessibility
- Coordination with the project manager to identify personnel under- and overuse, and to link the appropriate competent individuals with projects
- Along with reallocating resources and adjusting criteria, RM may also collaborate with PMs to flag urgent resource needs for external hiring.
- In order to assess resource needs and learn about planned initiatives, RM occasionally contacts PMs
- When RM wants to talk about things like staff performance, resource development, or training, he or she may occasionally call the appropriate department
- Estimate resource needs by working with the business development team
- When resources are needed immediately, RM must engage with other providers to temporarily fill the gap
- Always current with regard to recording procedures, keeping records, and labor legislation
Project managers (PM) and resource managers (RM) differ from one another
The PM and RM positions are distinct from one another, yet for the project to be effectively completed, both of them must cooperate.
Goals
The project manager’s goal is to complete projects on time, within budget, and without violating SLAs (service level agreements). They use best practices like ITIL, Six Sigma, etc., and complete projects with the aid of team resources. They want to satisfy their customers while making a profit.
The RM manages resources efficiently. Their mission is to supply the project with the appropriate resources, guarantee a high level of employee happiness, and see to it that the employees’ professional aspirations are met.
The delivery method
When the business wins the contract, the project manager (PM) specifies the project’s parameters and gives the resource management a resource estimation. The resource manager (RM) begins bringing on resources from internal sources like the bench, those that are being released from other projects, etc. In some circumstances, they may indicate the need to engage personnel from outside sources through contractual or recruiting agreements.
Execution
Using PeopleSoft and other technologies, the RM monitors resource usage. They continuously monitor billable, non-billable, billable, and overutilization in order to align the plan and communicate it to the PM.
There is a considerable likelihood of escalation, punishment, and in certain circumstances, project loss if RM cannot deliver resources promptly.
A risk mitigation strategy is created by the PM after a risk analysis of the project. They also continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the projects. Milestones are employed to accomplish this. The project manager makes that the project is finished on schedule and on budget, without escalation, outages, or SLA breaches.
The necessary skill set for PM and RM
Due to the variety of duties they oversee, project managers need to have a few key competencies, such as:
- Adaptability
- Management of projects
- Accountability
- Superior communication abilities
- being able to think beyond the box
- understanding of when to delegate
- Forecasting
- Leadership
- Solving issues
- Strategic Analysis
To perform their job successfully, a resource manager needs the specialized skill sets listed below.
- Outstanding communication abilities
- Understanding of Technologies
- Superior negotiating abilities
- Flexibility
- Decision-making with speed
- Commitment
- Observer and forecaster
- Ability to present
The project manager’s (PM) and resource manager’s (RM) tools
A project manager’s responsibilities include overseeing a team, deadlines, management, costing, reporting, and scope. Since it is difficult to manage all these tasks manually and accurately, managers have access to specialized tools and software.
Project managers may organize and manage their projects and tasks more efficiently by using project management tools. Depending on the needs of the project, these tools can be modified for various sizes and uses.
Let’s look at the most important tools the project manager uses to complete the project.
- monday.com
A complete cloud-based project management solution is monday.com. This application allows project managers to plan, monitor, and update project progress.
Its 200+ built-in templates make it simple to organize team tasks and establish processes.
Drag-and-drop capabilities makes it simple to configure things and sub-items and real-time update operations, and the aesthetically pleasing user interface is straightforward to use without training.
PM can depict project workflow using Gantt charts because to its distinctive data format. Team members may check the progress of their jobs at any moment using the Kanban framework.
Priced at $8, $10, and $16 per seat/month, respectively, the program is offered in three versions: Basic, Standard, and Pro. Even a company version is available, which allows complicated setups and bespoke functions.
2. Wrike
Projects are executed without a hitch thanks to Wrike software. The tool aids in the management, monitoring, and prevention of delays in the completion of project operations.
To guarantee easy administration of resources, activities, and schedule compliance, the solution provides total visibility into a project.
Complete control and visibility of the project are provided by its time tracking software, personalized Kanban boards, enterprise-grade security, and workflow automation.
Regardless of your industry or company division, this tool works tirelessly on a project manager’s behalf. The tool is applicable to many industries, including IT, digital marketing, product and project management, consulting projects, expert services, and company operations, among others.
The resources Resource Manager uses
The resource managers employ templates and tools to do job quickly.
Resource managers can select from a wide range of resource management solutions that are now on the market, depending on the scope of the project, the team, and the corporate profile.
Teamdeck
The cloud-based resource management tool Teamdeck is effective and comprehensive. Resource planning, time monitoring, checking for availability, and producing customized reports are all advantages of the program.
The resource management console’s flexibility allows for insight into both the workload that is currently being handled and the resources that have been allocated to projects.
All resources may be recorded, and their timesheets can be kept, whether they are permanent, temporary, or even freelancing.
Its ability to integrate API technologies with other applications like Slack, Zapier, and other ones makes it one of its top adapters. For reporting, built-in templates that may be further modified can be utilized.
After seven days of free usage, the program costs $3.99 per team member each month.
Conclusion
For the successful implementation of engagements, project managers and resource managers are two key focal areas. In order to expedite daily tasks, increase coordinated communications, and, most importantly, maintain track of budgets and spending, employees should use technologies to facilitate and automate their job.
Specific tools are chosen based on necessity, project, and corporate requirements. I advise putting the instrument through a trial period first, determining its viability, and then making a final choice.
