Introduction to project management/IPM103/Resources/Start Resources

Summary of 5 tools of estimation from pg 85.

Expert: for example a quantity surveyor could be brought in for a building project

Alternative analysis: perhaps there is a choice of assigning the job to your own staff, subcontracting, or a combination. Perhaps there are alternative materials, perhap there is a choice between buying in pre-assembled components rather than resource the assembly of components. All of the alternatives will have different resource requirements.

Published estimating data: There may be publications that have developed estimation guides for specific industries. This web site [1] gives an example in a building context.

Project management software: There are now many options for software that can help you estimate the resources you require. Microsoft Project is extensively used, but there are many alternative. Free alternatives include:

• GanttProject
• Calligra Plan
• ProjectLibre (Online tutorial)
• 2-Plan
  • 2-Plan Desktop, a project-management system.
  • 2-Plan Team, a web-based project management tool with multiple hosting options.
  • Work 2-gether, a Scrum-based task management board for one-team projects.