3. Resources are Required to Implement the Solution

The resources required for each action must be precisely defined along several parameters, including the type, amount and when they are required. Each resource is considered individually.

Time is sometimes overlooked, but it can be a key resource in some situations. These can be defined by answering some simple questions...

• What time is available before the deadline for achieving each action/goal/the overall objective?
• Are these timings compatible?
• Whose time is required?
• Will this time be spent within normal working hours?

Manpower may come from within and outside the organisation and can be defined by answering these questions...

• How many people will be required?
• What skills, qualities and knowledge will they need to carry out the actions required of them?
• When and where will they be required?
• Will they be available when and where required?
• Will they be available for the length of time required?
• What briefing and training will they need to be able to carry out their tasks effectively?

Money can be defined by answering the questions...

• How much will be needed?
• In what form? (e.g cash, cheque, foreign currency)
• How will it be acquired? (e.g. loan, grant, endowment)
• What will be the source? (e.g. profits, merchant bank, local or central government)
• How will it be used and is this compatible with the source? (e.g. if it's a development grant does the plan use it appropriately?)
• When and where will it be required?
• Will it be available when and where required?
• Does it need to be repaid, and when?
• Will it be recouped, how, and when? (e.g. through increased profits)
• Will there be additional cost in using this money? (e.g. interest or handling charges)
• Have the costs of all other resources been included?

Materials may fall into several categories, including consumables, raw materials, and equipment (for temporary or permanent use). The material requirements can be defined by answering the questions...

• What type of materials will be required?
• If capital equipment is required, how will it be financed? (e.g. lease, loan)
• What are the specifications of the materials required? (e.g. quality, size)
• What wastage is likely to occur?
• In what quantities are they required?
• When and where will they be required?
• Will they be available when and where required?
• Will transport be required?
• What handling (human and mechanical) will be required?
• Will storage space be required, where, how much, for how long, and will it be available?

Information may form a part of the manpower resource (e.g. expert advice or skills) but it can also be a resource (e.g. renting a mailing list for a direct mail campaign). To define this resource, you need to answer these questions...

• What specific information will be required?
• Is this information available from within the organisation or does it have to be bought in?
• Where specifically is it available?
• When and where will it be required?
• Will it be available when and where required?
• How long will it be required?

When you are calculating the resources required to implement a solution it's vital not to under-estimate. A shortage could disrupt implementation completely and possibly incur heavy penalties, e.g. having to pay a consultant for doing nothing while he's waiting for the installation of a piece of equipment. Sometimes you may have to adapt your plan of action to suit the availability of resources.

Once you have made a complete list of the resource requirements, draw up a schedule of resources, showing how and when they will be requested, from whom, and when and where they are to be delivered.