Introduction
This paper discusses the different heuristics in resource allocation. There are several commonly used heuristics in resource allocation, and this is what the paper will focus on by analyzing each type, and providing its importance in resource allocation. In this paper, we will briefly look at the commonly used heuristics in resource allocation giving their meaning and usage. The second part of the paper will look in details two of the commonly used heuristics in resource allocation in regards to project management. In the main reference, which is a video presentation of Arun Kanda, he talks about eight commonly used heuristics in resource allocation. However, this paper will focus on the two outstanding ones. In the last part of the paper, we will make recommendations on best and ideal heuristics used in resource allocation and provide the basis for the recommendations.
Discussion
Resource allocation refers to the procedures employed in assigning resources among the business units or various projects. This process is in an economic way, and it varies from each type of resources. On the other hand, heuristics refer to the experience-based systems for problem-solving discovery and learning. In difficult times and circumstances, heuristic methods are useful in speeding up the methods of finding a satisfactory solution to the problems. The heuristics methods vary from field to field. For instance, there are heuristics, which are applicable to psychology, and those that are useful in engineering. In this paper, the heuristics applicable are those in relation to allocating resources in the engineering field. In most cases, the resources available for use are less making it difficult to assign the resources to projects. In this case, there are heuristics that are useful in deciding which project should get what part of the resources depending on various factors (Gray and Larson 112).
Keeping in mind that resources available for use are usually limited, it is essential that resource allocation is carried out with considerations. In doing so, there are different factors that a person engaged in resource allocation will make use of in deciding which project to award a certain resource. In the first place, the priority needs of the various projects need to be established so that selection of activities and the resource linked with the project. In resource allocation, it is essential that projects should be ranked in order of the total work content and total slack or float available for the project. In making such decisions, it becomes difficult to determine which project to get what part of the available resources and in this case, the use of heuristic methods becomes necessary.
The most common heuristics used in this process of assigning resources are the parallel and serial methods. The main idea behind these heuristics is to allocate resources to projects in order to reduce project delay based on given priority rules. We will start by analyzing the serial heuristic. Before deciding which project to assign a given part of the limited resources, it is essential that we identify the available solution techniques to the allocation problem. This is possible by the use of solution techniques, which makes use of optimization procedures and heuristic procedures.
The optimization processes involve LP based formulations, enumerative and ILP processes, together with the shortest network path using assembly line analogy. These will work hand in hand with the heuristic procedures, which as stated above are commonly the serial and parallel approaches. These heuristics are useful because they establish priorities of the projects and produce satisfactory solutions to the resource allocation problems. In the serial technique, of resource allocation activities of a project are sorted in a list the allocation of resources is done for each project one at a time until all the projects have a share in the available resources. In other words, in the serial approach all the activities of the project are grouped in order of priority as a sole group and the assigned resources one at a time.
In the parallel approach, the ranking of project activities is done at the same time depending on the starting time of the project. In this procedure, all the projects starting at a time are given priority in the allocation of available resources, and this becomes a cycle whereby all projects with a similar starting time will be ranked equally. In precise words, the main idea used in the parallel approach is the period or time of the project rather than the activities like in the serial approach. Depending on the above heuristic approaches, there are several heuristics used in resource allocation, and they are the following: minimum activity slack, minimum late finish time, greatest resource demand, resource scheduling method, shortest imminent operation, greatest resource utilization, most jobs possible, and random activity selection. The first four heuristics have been applicable in the solving resource allocation effectively and ensuring that all the projects get a share of the resources (Fisher 78).
From the above available heuristics, we will discuss two methods, which are commonly used in the resources allocation, in projects. The first method we will look at is the resource scheduling method, which is commonly used in allocating resources to the projects. This process involves programming resources prior at the beginning of the projects. In any field, there may be several projects, which are set to start at a time and the process will make use of the available resources. In the event, that the resources are limited, it is essential for the concerned person to list the available resources that will enable the projects to run successfully. This scheduling of the available resources has several benefits, which include: provision of information to put in order time phased work package budgets with their dates.
The information will give details of the resources that will be in use on a certain project and its budget. The second benefit of this method is that in the event of projects delays, there is sufficient time for considering other available methods like those that cost-time trade offs and adjustment of priorities. Another notable advantage of using resource-scheduling method is that it enables the project managers to establish the amount of flexibility they have over certain resources.
Another commonly used heuristic method is the minimum slack activity, which refers to the shortest time possible an activity can take to complete a project. In this method, the idea to use is the duration the projects will take, and any allocation of resources is in line with the time the projects will take. It is necessary that the available resources are able to complete the projects in place and therefore, the first thing the project manager will identify is the duration each project will take. It is advisable that priority is given to projects with the least time duration so that the resources used in the project can be free to use in other projects.
This method is helpful in solving resource allocation problems because the available resources will not be tied to projects that take long to complete. The major benefit of this method is that the project managers are in a position to determine and allocate resources according to the duration the project will take and hence there will be no idle resources or delay in the completion of projects. This will give he project managers an ample time to plan and execute all projects by using the available, limited resources. In any project, it is necessary that the project sticks t its planned completion duration which will allow other projects to commence and make use of the freed resources.
Conclusion
In the above discussion of the various types of heuristic methods useful, in the resource allocation processes, there are some recommendable methods as they make use of the time and activities. The most fundamental elements in any successful project are the duration the project will take and activities in the project. These two elements are necessary in determining whether a project will have priority in being assigned the available resources or not. The resource scheduling method and the minimum slack activity method are most commonly used and recommended methods.
This is because of the recorded results in the problems solved by using these methods in resource allocation. On the other hand, they both make use of the significant elements in project management, which is time and activity. The two methods enable the project managers to allocate resources according to priority of projects, and this leads to efficiency in project management. In scheduling available resources, the managers are aware of the available resources and how to allocate them while, in the minimum slack activity method, there is awareness of the duration each project will take. These two factors are responsible for ant completion of a project and, therefore, require prior planning. Heuristic methods are responsible for problem solving in resource allocation and scheduling and minimum slack activity are the best and ideal methods to use.
Works Cited
Gray, Clifford and Larson Erick. Project management: the managerial process. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2008. Print.
Fisher, Colin. Resource allocation in the public sector: values, priorities, and markets in the management of public services. New York: Routledge, 1998. Print.