Here are my top tips for Time & Motion exercises and resource models - with a Back To The Future theme! Please use this link to check out my full article on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/resource-management-you-dont-need-delorean-jon-stephenson-lybce

1. Resource Management – you don’t need a DeLorean!
Jon Stephenson
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/stephensonjon
Measure. Predict. Hone
Check people are recording time correctly
– and not just going through the motions!
Time & Motion
Pace yourselves and get it right first time
– it’s not a race against the Clock (Tower)!
Categorise the type of work they’re doing
– e.g., project, phase, stage, and artefact
Use dropdowns on your recording sheets
– to save time and ensure consistency
Capture short bursts of recording activity
– it shouldn’t feel like they’re doing time!
Keep it simple and limit the task selection
– Einstein shouldn’t need to test it for you!
Order their lists of options appropriately
– alphabetical or the most frequently used
Engage with your people to secure buy-in
– it will be time well spent!
Look Back in Time at the trends inyourprevious performance
– the past is usually a good indicator of the future
Resource Model
Consider whether seasonality has any impacts on workloads
– look at different times of the day, week, month, and year
Measure all the factors that will determine your realcapacity
– availability, utilisation, and productivity including ramp-ups
Ensure vacancy provision is included within your calculations
– the gap between people leaving and replacements starting
Build in allowances to recognise that people aren’t machines
– for comfort breaks, conversation, and reflection
Keep a log of assumptions and estimates
– think of it as your (re)source code!
Get your system to record performance and timings
– automate and future-proof as much as possible
Reset/tweak them as necessary
– go back to the future forecasts!