Human Resources: Assigned Roles for Shared Project Goals
PMBOK v8 Definition
Human resources consist of individuals with assigned roles and responsibilities who work collectively to achieve a shared project goal within the project team. The involvement of all team members in project planning and decision-making is also beneficial, as team members add their expertise to the process, strengthening their commitment to the project. These resources can be internal (acquired from functional or resource managers) or external (obtained through partnerships, joint ventures, or procurement processes).
Why It Matters for the Exam
This concept appears frequently in PMI exam questions about team management, resource acquisition, and stakeholder engagement. You will see it in situational questions asking who is responsible for what, how resources are obtained, and the difference between managing people versus managing physical assets. It also tests your understanding of the project manager's leadership role in team formation.
Key Points to Remember (for the exam)
- Definition of Human Resources: Individuals with assigned roles and responsibilities working collectively toward a shared project goal
- Two Acquisition Paths: Internal resources (assigned from functional/resource managers) vs. External resources (partnerships, joint ventures, procurement)
- Team Involvement: All team members should participate in project planning and decision-making to strengthen commitment
- Leadership Models: Team members may be guided by top-down leadership (centralized management) or may self-organize with decentralized decision-making
- Project Manager's Role: Responsible for team formation and operation as an effective group
- Key Distinction: Human resources (people) vs. Physical, material, or virtual resources (anything that is not a person)
- Resource Management Plan Components: Includes identification of resources, acquiring resources, roles and responsibilities, training, team development, and resource control
Typical PMI Exam Example
A project manager is assigned to a new infrastructure project in a matrix organization. The project requires specialized engineers from the functional department and external consultants for specific technical expertise. How should the project manager acquire these human resources? The internal engineers would be assigned from functional/resource managers, while external consultants would be obtained through procurement processes or partnerships.
PMI Exam Traps
- Trap: Confusing "human resources" with "physical resources" → Reality: Human resources are people with roles and responsibilities; physical resources are equipment, materials, or virtual assets that are not people
- Trap: Thinking all team members must follow top-down leadership only → Reality: Team members may also self-organize with decentralized decision-making; both models are valid
- Trap: Assuming external resources are always procured through purchasing → Reality: External resources can also come through partnerships and joint ventures
- Trap: Believing the project manager alone makes all planning decisions → Reality: Involvement of all team members in project planning and decision-making is beneficial and strengthens commitment
Important PMI Connections
| Related Concept | Relationship Type | Exam Attention Point |
|---|---|---|
| Resource Management Plan | Output that defines human resources | Must include roles, responsibilities, training, team development, and resource control methods |
| Project Organization Chart | Tool for showing team structure | Can be formal/informal, detailed/broad based on project needs (e.g., 3,000-person team vs. 20-person team) |
| Procurement Processes | Method for acquiring external resources | External human resources may require partnerships, joint ventures, or procurement |
| Team Development | Component of resource management plan | Methods for developing the project team are part of managing human resources |
Quick Review Questions
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A project has 50 team members from three different functional departments. What is the correct term for these individuals who have assigned roles and work collectively?
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In a matrix environment, how are internal human resources typically acquired for a project?
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What is the key difference between managing human resources and managing physical resources according to PMBOK v8?
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A project manager notices team members are not participating in planning meetings. According to PMBOK v8, why is this involvement important?
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What are the two leadership models that can guide project team members as described in the Resources performance domain?
PMBOK v8 Reference
Section 2.6 - Resources Performance Domain Section 2.6.1 - Key Concepts (Human resources and Physical, material, or virtual resources) Appendix X4 on Procurement (for external resource acquisition details)