6.3.3 Activity Resource Estimating: Outputs
.1 Activity Resource Requirements
The output of the Activity Resource Estimating process is an identification and description of the types and quantities of resources required for each schedule
activity in a work package. These requirements can then be aggregated to determine the estimated resources for each work package. The amount of detail and
the level of specificity of the resource requirement descriptions can vary by application area. The resource requirements documentation for each schedule
activity can include the basis of estimate for each resource, as well as the assumptions that were made in determining which types of resources are applied,
their availability, and what quantity are used. The Schedule Development process Section 6.5 determines when the resources are needed.
.2 Activity Attributes Updates
The types and quantities of resources required for each schedule activity are incorporated into the activity attributes. If approved change requests Section
4.6.3.1 result from the Activity Resource Estimating process, then the activity list Section 6.2.3.2 and activity attributes Section 6.2.3.3 are updated to include
those approved changes.
.3 Resource Breakdown Structure
The resource breakdown structure RBS is a hierarchical structure of the identified resources by resource category and resource type.
.4 Resource Calendar Updates
A composite resource calendar for the project documents working days and nonworking days that determine those dates on which a specific resource, whether
a person or materiel, can be active or is idle. The project resource calendar typically identifies resource-specific holidays and resource availability periods. The project
resource calendar identifies the quantity of each resource available during each availability period.
.5 Requested
Changes
The Activity Resource Estimating process can result in requested changes Section 4.4.3.2 to add or delete planned schedule activities within the activity list.
Requested changes are processed for review and disposition through the Integrated Change Control process Section 4.6.
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6.4 Activity Duration
Estimating
The process of estimating schedule activity durations uses information on schedule activity scope of work, required resource types, estimated resource quantities, and
resource calendars with resource availabilities. The inputs for the estimates of schedule activity duration originate from the person or group on the project team
who is most familiar with the nature of the work content in the specific schedule activity. The duration estimate is progressively elaborated, and the process
considers the quality and availability of the input data. For example, as the project engineering and design work evolves, more detailed and precise data is available,
and the accuracy of the duration estimates improves. Thus, the duration estimate can be assumed to be progressively more accurate and of better quality.
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The Activity Duration Estimating process requires that the amount of work effort required to complete the schedule activity is estimated, the assumed amount
of resources to be applied to complete the schedule activity is estimated, and the number of work periods needed to complete the schedule activity is determined. All
data and assumptions that support duration estimating are documented for each activity duration estimate.
Estimating the number of work periods required to complete a schedule activity can require consideration of elapsed time as a requirement related to a
specific type of work. Most project management software for scheduling will handle this situation by using a project calendar and alternative work-period
resource calendars that are usually identified by the resources that require specific work periods. The schedule activities will be worked according to the project
calendar, and the schedule activities to which the resources are assigned will also be worked according to the appropriate resource calendars.
Overall project duration is calculated as an output of the Schedule Development process Section 6.5.
Figure 6-8. Activity Duration Estimating: Inputs, Tools Techniques, and Outputs
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6.4.1 Activity Duration Estimating: Inputs
.1 Enterprise
Environmental Factors
One or more of the organizations involved in the project may maintain duration estimating databases and other historical reference data. This type of reference
information is also available commercially. These databases tend to be especially useful when activity durations are not driven by the actual work content e.g., how
long it takes concrete to cure or how long a government agency usually takes to respond to certain types of requests.
.2 Organizational
Process Assets
Historical information Section 4.1.1.4 on the likely durations of many categories of activities is often available. One or more of the organizations involved in the
project may maintain records of previous project results that are detailed enough to aid in developing duration estimates. In some application areas, individual team
members may maintain such records. The organizational process assets Section 4.1.1.4 of the performing organization may have some asset items that can be used
in Activity Duration Estimating, such as the project calendar a calendar of working days or shifts on which schedule activities are worked, and nonworking days on
which schedule activities are idle.
.3 Project Scope Statement
The constraints and assumptions from the project scope statement Section 5.2.3.1 are considered when estimating the schedule activity durations. An example of an
assumption would be the length of the reporting periods for the project that could dictate maximum schedule activity durations. An example of a constraint would be
document submittals, reviews, and similar non-deliverable schedule activities that often have frequency and durations specified by contract or within the performing
organization’s policies.
.4 Activity
List
Described in Section 6.1.3.1.
.5 Activity
Attributes
Described in Section 6.1.3.2.
.6 Activity Resource Requirements
The estimated activity resource requirements Section 6.3.3.1 will have an effect on the duration of the schedule activity, since the resources assigned to the schedule
activity, and the availability of those resources, will significantly influence the duration of most activities. For example, if a schedule activity requires two
engineers working together to efficiently complete a design activity, but only one person is applied to the work, the schedule activity will generally take at least twice
as much time to complete. However, as additional resources are added or lower skilled resources are applied to some schedule activities, projects can experience a
reduction in efficiency. This inefficiency, in turn, could result in a work production increase of less than the equivalent percentage increase in resources applied.
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.7 Resource
Calendar
The composite resource calendar Section 6.3, developed as part of the Activity Resource Estimating process, includes the availability, capabilities, and skills of
human resources Section 9.2. The type, quantity, availability, and capability, when applicable, of both equipment and materiel resources Section 12.4 that
could significantly influence the duration of schedule activities are also considered. For example, if a senior and junior staff member are assigned full time, a senior
staff member can generally be expected to complete a given schedule activity in less time than a junior staff member.
.8 Project Management Plan
The project management plan contains the risk register Sections 11.2 through 11.6 and project cost estimates Section 7.1.
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• Risk Register. The risk register has information on identified project risks
that the project team considers when producing estimates of activity durations and adjusting those durations for risks. The project team considers the extent
to which the effects of risks are included in the baseline duration estimate for each schedule activity, in particular those risks with ratings of high
probability or high impact.
• Activity Cost Estimates. The project activity cost estimates, if already
completed, can be developed in sufficient detail to provide estimated resource quantities for each schedule activity in the project activity list.
6.4.2 Activity Duration
Estimating: Tools and Techniques
.1 Expert Judgment
Activity durations are often difficult to estimate because of the number of factors that can influence them, such as resource levels or resource productivity. Expert
judgment, guided by historical information, can be used whenever possible. The individual project team members may also provide duration estimate information or
recommended maximum activity durations from prior similar projects. If such expertise is not available, the duration estimates are more uncertain and risky.
.2 Analogous
Estimating
Analogous duration estimating means using the actual duration of a previous, similar schedule activity as the basis for estimating the duration of a future
schedule activity. It is frequently used to estimate project duration when there is a limited amount of detailed information about the project for example, in the
early phases of a project. Analogous estimating uses historical information Section 4.1.1.4 and expert judgment.
Analogous duration estimating is most reliable when the previous activities are similar in fact and not just in appearance, and the project team members
preparing the estimates have the needed expertise.
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