Necessary Resources: Securing and Providing for Project Success
PMBOK v8 Definition
Securing and providing the necessary resources is a crucial activity for project success. Some individuals, such as portfolio managers and project sponsors, are responsible for securing the necessary resources, including funding, physical resources, personnel, and authority, to enable project progress. These individuals champion the project at an organizational level and ensure it receives the necessary support from senior management.
Why It Matters for the Exam
This concept appears frequently in PMI exam questions about resource management, stakeholder engagement, and project governance. You will encounter it in situational questions where the project manager needs to identify who is responsible for resource acquisition, particularly when resources are constrained or when organizational support is lacking.
Key Points to Remember (for the exam)
- Primary Responsibility: Portfolio managers and project sponsors are responsible for securing necessary resources—not the project manager alone
- Resource Types: Resources include funding, physical resources, personnel, AND authority
- Organizational Champion: These individuals champion the project at an organizational level
- Senior Management Support: Their role ensures the project receives necessary support from senior management
- Value Delivery: Resources are provided to enable project progress and deliver intended value
- Performance Adjustment: Resource provision allows adjusting course based on feedback and performance metrics
- Critical Activity: This is classified as a "crucial activity" for project success
Typical PMI Exam Example
A project manager is struggling to obtain specialized equipment needed for a critical project phase. The sponsor has been unavailable for meetings. According to PMBOK v8, who should the project manager approach to secure this resource? The answer is the project sponsor, who is responsible for securing physical resources and championing the project at the organizational level.
PMI Exam Traps
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Trap: Thinking the project manager secures all resources
- Reality: Portfolio managers and sponsors secure resources like funding, authority, and organizational support
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Trap: Confusing resource provision with resource management
- Reality: Providing resources is about securing and enabling; managing resources is about allocation and utilization
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Trap: Assuming resource provision happens only at project initiation
- Reality: Resources are provided continuously to enable progress and adjust based on feedback
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Trap: Focusing only on personnel and funding, ignoring authority
- Reality: Authority is a specific type of resource that sponsors provide
Important PMI Connections
| Related Concept | Relationship Type | Exam Attention Point |
|---|---|---|
| Project Sponsor | Primary Responsible | Sponsor secures resources, not project manager |
| Portfolio Manager | Resource Securing Role | Portfolio managers secure resources at organizational level |
| Organizational Strategy | Context | Resources align with strategy through portfolio/program management |
| System for Value Delivery | Framework | Resources are allocated based on expected performance and benefits |
| Senior Management | Support Source | Sponsor ensures senior management support for resource needs |
Quick Review Questions
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According to PMBOK v8, which individuals are specifically responsible for securing necessary resources for a project?
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What four types of resources must be secured to enable project progress?
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Why is providing resources considered a "crucial activity" for project success?
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How does resource provision relate to adjusting the course based on feedback and performance metrics?
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What role does the project sponsor play in terms of organizational-level support for resources?
PMBOK v8 Reference
Section 2.4.7 - Provide Resources