Title: A flexible operating tool to provide an efficient project's staffing and resource allocation

Authors: Massimo Bertolini; Mattia Neroni; Francesco Zammori

Addresses: Department 'Enzo Ferrari Engineering', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Università 4, 41121, Modena, Italy ' Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Via G.P. Usberti, 181/A, 43124, Parma, Italy ' Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Via G.P. Usberti, 181/A, 43124, Parma, Italy

Abstract: Resource allocation is paramount for the success of complex projects; many allocation and staffing models have been proposed in the literature, but none of them has found its way into practice yet. Hence, we propose a tool to provide an efficient project's staffing and resource allocation, with the goal to create cohesive teams, and an almost perfect matching among time/quality requirements and resources' skills. To achieve this objective, the tool makes use of a specific heuristic that reproduces the reasoning of the project manager, using logical rules based on sorting and prioritising criteria, both for tasks and resources. To validate the tool, we applied it to a comprehensive set of past projects, completed by a consultant company over the past five years. Solutions provided by our tool were assessed by a team of experienced project managers, and they were found superior to the ones originally implemented by the company.

Keywords: constructive heuristic; multi-skilled workforce; project management tool; resource allocation; resource levelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPOM.2021.119507

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2021 Vol.13 No.4, pp.329 - 360

Received: 21 Jan 2020
Accepted: 16 Jul 2020
Published online: 08 Dec 2021 *

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