Sources of Expert Judgment in Resource Planning

Who did you look to for advice when you were younger? Was it a parent? A relative? A teacher? Chances are you sought out someone who you felt had been through your situation before. Having lived through the situation made that person an expert on the subject.

In project management, you may find you need help in the form of expert judgment. There are various sources of expert judgment for the resource planning needs of your project. Where you go depends on what kind of information you need.

The primary sources of expert judgment in resource planning are:

• other units within the performing organization
  The first place to look for help with your resource planning needs is within other units of your company. Different departments have specialized knowledge, and they can provide you with their resource pool descriptions, work breakdown structures, and scope statements. And remember, when you use company resources, your company saves money by using skills it already pays for.
  

• consultants
  Consultants are another avenue you can look to for help with your resource planning. Consultants focus their knowledge in one specific field. When that field plays a role in your resource planning, you should seek out the person who knows the information inside and out.
  

• professional and technical associations
  Expert judgment can also be found in professional and technical associations. These associations may offer their members up-to-date industry training or provide information on the latest developments in your field. This could be useful for updating organizational policies and as a source of historical information.
  

• industry groups
  Industry groups are another source of expert judgment for resource planning. Industry groups are involved in setting industry standards and lobbying governments, and can refer you to important sources of information relating to your project.
  
  Industry group lobbying may necessitate changes to your company's organizational policies. It may also require you to upgrade staff or equipment. These actions would affect your resource pool description.
  
  Industry groups can also put you in touch with companies you are interested in doing business with, or that have similar interests. If you need specific materials or equipment, your industry group may be able to tell you who to contact. This would impact your resource pool description. It may also influence your scope statement. As you contact more people in relation to your project, you have a better idea of the possibilities.
  

Knowing where to go for expert judgment and advice means that as soon as you need information for resource planning you know where to get it. This saves time for you and your project team.