The Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
The responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) defines ‘Who’ is responsible for the work, and it is an excellent way to clearly assign all of the WBS work packages to a person or another team. A Project Manager needs to delegate ownership of the packages of work by assigning work package owners through the RAM and that is one way to drive this ownership and responsibility.
Many organizations use a RACI model in which the resources are assigned primary or secondary support. Only one resource may be aligned as the primary resource for each designated work item.
RACI stands for:
• R = Responsible – ‘Does the work.’
• A = Accountable – The person who must ensure the work is completed (often the project manager).
• C = Consulted – This person often has information required to complete the work package.
• I = Informed – This group is often the largest group and typically includes all of the key stakeholders.
Responsibility can be shared, but accountability should be very clear.
Network diagrams and resource Utilization
When it comes to building a project schedule, we use the tool called a network diagram. There are several ways to build a network diagram; the most popular method is ‘Activity in Box (AIB)’ method.
Building a network diagram
With the concept of a network diagram, we will be able to determine:
1) A project’s scheduled completion time
2) The slack or float of project activities
3) The critical path of your project
Depending on the size of the project, the network may be built in pieces or as a large group. Either way, the step-by-step process to build a project network is;
1. Brainstorm tasks that are required to complete the work packages, recording those tasks on notes.
2. Sequence those activities. Determine:
* The order of activities
* Which activities can occur at the same time
* Which activities need dependencies
3. Put the notes together to build a network.
Activities should be assigned to the people who will be doing the work and build duration estimates for the activities. Then, the activities can be loaded into an automated scheduling tool like Microsoft Project. At that point, we will be able to determine the project’s scheduled completion time, the slack or float of project activities, and the critical path of the project.
