- Quality Management
- Human Resource Management
- Communications Management
- Risk Management
- Procurement Management
- What Next?
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Human Resource Management
- Develop Human Resource Plan—9.1
Cram Saver
If you can correctly answer these questions before going through this section, save time by skimming the Exam Alerts in this section and then completing the Cram Quiz at the end of the section.
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Which of the following documents provide a graphical representation of project resources, organized by type?
A. Organizational Breakdown Structure
B. Risk Breakdown Structure
C. Responsibility Assignment Matrix
D. RACI matrix
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Which of the following is NOT a tool and technique of the develop human resource plan?
A. Organization charts and position descriptions
B. Networking
C. Ground rules
D. Organizational theory
Answers
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Answer B is correct. A Resource Breakdown Structure provides a graphical display of resources by type. An Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS) graphically displays work packages. A Responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) is a chart displaying resources and for which assignments they are responsible, and a RACI matrix is a specific type of RAM that shows the resources that are responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed in project activities.
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Answer C is correct. Ground rules is a tool and technique of the develop project team process. Answers A, B, and D are incorrect because they are all valid tools and techniques of the develop human resource plan.
The project manager must fulfill the role of manager and leader of the project team. Using the same skills and techniques a line manager uses, the project manager has the following responsibilities:
- Determine the HR needs of the project
- Negotiate with line managers for internal resources
- Acquire external resources through the procurement process
- Determine training needs
- Identify/plan team-building activities
- Determine the performance review approach for a project's human resources
- Determine the reward and recognition approach for motivational purposes
- Document the team structure and each team's responsibilities
- Create a project organization chart
- Develop a staffing management plan
Key Human Resource Principles
Human resource management is the set of processes used to organize and manage the project team, also referred to as the project staff. A subset of the project team is the project management team, composed of the project manager, project sponsor, and others responsible for project management activities such as planning, controlling, and closing the project.
Project human resource management is composed of human resource planning, acquiring, developing, and managing the team. HR planning has a number of key deliverables, including project organization charts, the staffing management plan, and determining the roles and responsibilities of each human resource. Table 4.6 shows the inputs, tools and techniques, and outputs for the develop human resource plan process.
Table 4.6. Develop Human Resource Plan Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs
|
Inputs |
Tools and Techniques |
Outputs |
|
Activity resource requirements |
Organization charts and position descriptions |
Human resource plan |
|
Enterprise environmental factors |
Networking |
|
|
Organizational process assets |
Organizational theory |
It is important to understand the various methods organizations use to depict and describe human resources and their attributes. Table 4.7 summarizes the tools used in human resource planning.
Table 4.7. Human Resource Planning Tools
|
Name |
Description |
Use |
|
Organizational breakdown structure (OBS) |
Graphically displays work packages according to departments |
Identifies the work assigned to each department |
|
Resource breakdown structure |
Graphically displays resources by type |
Effective in tracking costs. Groups resources even if they are working on different deliverables |
|
Responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) |
A chart displaying resources and for which assignments they are responsible |
Allows easy identification of all responsibilities for a given resource |
|
RACI matrix |
A specific type of RAM that shows the resources that are responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed in project activities |
Provides more detail than RAM |
|
Position description |
Text-based description of responsibilities |
Provides a high level of detail for a given position |
In addition to graphical representations, resources might be documented in matrix-based documents such as a responsibility assignment (RACI) matrix.
These documents are effective communication tools to ensure team members understand for which assignments they are responsible. Table 4.8 shows an example of an RACI matrix.
Table 4.8. RACI Matrix
|
Activity |
Person |
||
|
Bill |
Mary |
John |
|
|
Design |
Responsible |
Consult |
Accountable |
|
Build |
Accountable |
Responsible |
Consult |
|
Test |
Inform |
Accountable |
Consult |
The Staffing Management Plan
The staffing management plan is used to document the type of resources needed and the timing for those resources. The plan includes how the resources will be acquired, start and end dates, training requirements, policies and procedures for the team, and the team recognition approach and budget.
Cram Quiz
Answer these questions. The answers follow the last question. If you cannot answer these questions correctly, consider reading this section again until you can.
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Which resource planning tool provides information on resource responsibility and accountability?
A. OBS
B. Resource breakdown structure
C. RAM
D. RACI matrix
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What is the primary purpose of the human resource plan?
A. Identify and document roles, responsibilities, and skills necessary for project goal fulfillment
B. Describe how the project team will interact
C. Assemble the project team
D. Document strategies to motivate the project team
Cram Quiz Answers
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Answer C is correct. The RACI (responsible, accountable, consulted, informed) matrix provides information both on resource responsibility and accountability. The RAM only provides responsibility information. Neither the OBS nor resource breakdown structure provide responsibility information.
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Answer A is correct. Answers B, C, and D describe other processes in the executing process group.