Question

analyze the concept of resource scheduling and evaluating various methods used to schedule resources in project management.

Your analysis should include the following:

An analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with resource scheduling

A discussion of at least two methods used to schedule resources and examples of when each method would be most appropriate, given the scope of the project

Choose which method would be most appropriate for the project and explain why you felt it was most appropriate.

You must include at least two additional sources, one of which must be a journal article, outside of your textbook, to support your analysis.

Answer 1

Resource scheduling is essential in order to improve upon companies profitability and competitive advantage. Scheduling is associated with time management and schedule development which helps in optimising the two important resources of time and money. Two of the most important method for scheduling project task activities are critical path method and gantt chart. Critical path method is used for larger and complex projects where as gantt charts are used in relatively smaller and simple projects.

But critical path method assume unlimited resources are available hence resource scheduling is considered. To important types of resource scheduling are:
Time constraints scheduling
Resource constraints scheduling

time constraints scheduling assumes that time constraints are fixed and activities must be undertaken within time constraint.
While resource constraints scheduling assumes that resource and corresponding quantities are finite hence task activities must be prioritised within resource constraints.
When project delays are the major problems time constraint scheduling method is used in a project.
And when resources and raw materials are limited then resource-constrained scheduling is used.

Reference
Matthews, M. D. (1994). Resource scheduling: incorporating capacity into schedule construction. Project Management Journal, 25(2), 44–54.

http://lancet.mit.edu/~mbwall/phd/proposal/thesis_proposal.html