Monitor and Control Resourcing Process: Physical and Virtual Resources

PMBOK v8 Definition

The Monitor and Control Resourcing process helps ensure that the physical or virtual resources assigned and allocated to the project are available as planned. This process also monitors the planned versus actual use of physical or virtual resources and performs corrective actions as necessary. The key benefit is ensuring that the assigned physical or virtual resources are available to the project at the right time and in the right place and are released when no longer needed. This process is performed continuously in all project phases and throughout the project life cycle. It belongs to the Resources performance domain (not a traditional Process Group/Knowledge Area in PMBOK v8, which uses performance domains).

Why It Matters for the Exam

The PMI exam frequently tests this concept in situational questions about resource availability, delays, and corrective actions. Questions often present scenarios where resources are not available when planned, and you must identify that the Monitor and Control Resourcing process was not properly applied. Expect questions that test your understanding of what types of resources are monitored (physical and virtual, NOT team members) and when the process should be performed.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

• Main Concern: Ensuring resources are available at the right time, right place, and in the right amount
• Resource Types Monitored: Physical resources (equipment, materials, supplies, facilities, infrastructure) AND virtual resources (software, testing environments, licenses, services)
• Team Members: Addressed in the Lead the Team process, NOT in Monitor and Control Resourcing
• Timing: Performed continuously in all project phases and throughout the project life cycle
• Key Input: Work performance information (used for assessing resource usage in project status)
• Corrective Action: Performed when planned versus actual resource use shows discrepancies
• Release: Resources must be released when no longer needed

Typical PMI Exam Example

A project manager notices that the testing environment (a virtual resource) is not available during the scheduled testing phase, causing delays. The project manager reviews the resource assignment documentation and finds that the license was not renewed. What process should have been performed continuously to prevent this?

Answer: Monitor and Control Resourcing – to ensure virtual resources are available at the right time and place.

PMI Exam Traps

• Trap: Confusing Monitor and Control Resourcing with Acquire Resources

• Reality: Acquire Resources is about obtaining resources; Monitor and Control Resourcing is about ensuring availability and monitoring usage throughout the project

• Trap: Thinking team members are monitored in this process

• Reality: Team members are addressed in the Lead the Team process; Monitor and Control Resourcing covers physical and virtual resources only

• Trap: Believing this process is performed only at specific phases

• Reality: It must be performed continuously in all project phases and throughout the project life cycle

• Trap: Confusing with Monitor and Control Scope

• Reality: Monitor and Control Scope determines correctness of deliverables; Monitor and Control Resourcing ensures resource availability and proper usage

Important PMI Connections

Quick Review Questions

1. What types of resources are monitored in the Monitor and Control Resourcing process?

2. How often should the Monitor and Control Resourcing process be performed?

3. Where are team members addressed if not in Monitor and Control Resourcing?

4. What is the key benefit of the Monitor and Control Resourcing process?

5. What type of information is used to assess resource usage in project status?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 2.8 - Resources Performance Domain (specifically the Monitor and Control Resourcing process within this domain)