BUDGETS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Project Management is not as easy as it may sound. There are many factors to contend with. However, there are numerous tools that can help make the project manager’s tasks manageable and realistic. One of the many tools a project manager may utilize is the Gantt chart (Portny, Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, Sutton, & Kramer, 2008). The basic purpose of a Gantt chart is to subdivide a large project into a series of smaller tasks in an organized way. The chart shows the start date as well as the duration of each task. The left-most column shows each task in chronological order in accordance to its start time. The remaining columns show the timeline, usually in weeks or whatever units convenient for the project. For each row, a task is listed and a line in drawn through the timeline for the weeks during which that task will be addressed. The SmartDraw software is an excellent resource for project management inclusive of producing Gantt chart. The “dumbest” of project manager could use the software as free download is offered accompanied by a number of video clips to guide the user. One impressive feature of smartdraw, is that, it allows the user to switch between four different views of a project, making it easy to brainstorm projects, run meetings, manage deadlines, and create reports. All that needs to be done is simply input the information and SmartDraw’s built-in automation does the rest.
Another useful resource that I have explored deals with “Estimating Costs and Time in Instructional Design”. This site gives the project manager detailed information about Budgeting, Training and Cost Guidelines, Estimating Development Hours, eLearning, Development Time, Instructor Preparation Time, Seat Time, and Interactive Multimedia Instruction. The project manager is also provided the Excel Spreadsheet Cost Estimator which I find very interesting.
Additionally, Making accurate estimates is the goal of every project manager. This site provides 
project managers with a plethora of information in project management ranging from calculating ‘fudge ratio’ to ‘re-using estimates for recurring tasks’. One of the things that is admirable about this website, is that, the project manager is actually given a ‘walk-through’ on how to do the calculations and the language used is simple and understandable.
Using procore software, the project manager’s job is sure to be ‘ticking’ with much ease. Use dashboard overviews of the current status of a project are provided on the Project Dashboard. A user can quickly view the status of an item on a project by viewing Procore’s unique dashboard. Additionally, Submittals, Requests-for-Information (RFIs), change orders, construction project management tasks, punch list items, and meeting items are monitored with marked indicators for item due dates. This software can:
- Create accurate schedules
- Manage contracts
- Store and manage documents
- Collect and track bids
- Close RFIs faster
- Organize submittals
- Track project communication
- Schedule and track meetings
- Track time worked
- Monitor insurance coverage
The Procore website gives detailed information on the different features of the software. The site provides a user-friendly interface; hence, the project manager is sure to navigate easily for the information needed. In addition, there are a number of video clips that show demos which enhances the presentation on the topics.
Click the ‘Play’ button to learn more about Procore.
References:
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/costs.html
http://www.smartdraw.com/specials/projectchart.asp?id=130905&gclid=CL39mdbL-60CFQGd7Qodyx04OQ
http://www.stevenpavlina.com/blog/2008/05/how-to-make-accurate-time-estimates/
Portny, S. E., Mantel, S. J., Meredith, J. R., Shafer, S. M., Sutton, M. M., & Kramer, B. E. (2008). Project Management:Planning, scheduling, and controlling projects.Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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