This guide provides a guide to mastering resource analysis within Performance Work Statements. The focus is on optimizing personnel allocation and improving cost estimation for more effective project management. By breaking down project needs, you can build a more accurate and realistic plan.
This lesson is a preview from Graduate School USA's Performance Work Statements course.
When developing a Performance Work Statement (PWS), a critical step that directly impacts project success and budget accuracy is resource analysis. This process is fundamental to creating a realistic cost estimate for any project. Effective resource analysis involves a careful assessment of the required activities, the services needed to support them, and the precise number and grade of staff necessary to accomplish the work.
To conduct a thorough resource analysis, you must begin by creating a comprehensive list of all project activities. This initial step sets the foundation for everything that follows. Once you have a clear picture of the activities, you can move on to the next phase: identifying the specific services required for each one. This detailed approach ensures that no requirement is overlooked.
With the services defined, the final piece of the puzzle is determining the staffing needs. This involves specifying the exact number of personnel required for each task and assigning the appropriate grade levels to those positions. By following this structured method—listing activities, identifying services, and then assigning staff—you ensure that all personnel requirements are accurately accounted for. This diligence leads directly to a more precise and defensible cost projection for your project.
