Human Resources Planning in Projects

Abstract

The essential role played by human resources is briefly analyzed here in relationship with projects with different characteristics, and thus emphasizing that each project establishes its own conditions, requirements and demands. The purpose of this chapter is to stress the fact that a very careful selection is needed for filling positions, at any level, and not only from the technical expertise point of view, but also about how a worker may or may not fit in a certain project, since not everybody is suitable for everything and everywhere. There are excellent professionals who will not accept a position, even with larger benefits than usual, if it does not match his or her requirements, which may be personal, physical or others. As an example of the importance of human resources, a more common case, regarding a manufacturing company with an ongoing production, is analyzed to illustrate how a wrong human resources policy can deteriorate and endanger a project, whatever it might be.