Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Resource allocation and project portfolio optimization in an IT department

With many projects competing for the same resources in the department, resource allocation can be a major challenge. As part of my Executive MBA at Columbia, I built an Excel model to resolve this - mostly drawing upon my real life experience with the problem. I wouldn't say how often I ended up using this model myself, but I do think it does provide a fairly comprehensive analysis of the subject.
Excel based decision model for resource allocation in a project based organization.

By Mukul Pareek

The model itself is in an Excel file that can be downloaded here - but the Excel file doesn't make much sense as a standalone file unless one at least skims through the thought process documented in the pdf document that explains the model.

The writeup explaining the model can be downloaded here

The Excel file which carries out the iterative search through various combinations of resources and projects can be downloaded here.


Here is a partial screenshot of the model:




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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2015 at 10:00 PM

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  2. AnonymousAugust 9, 2026 at 1:07 AM

    This is a practical discussion of a common challenge in an IT department where multiple projects compete for limited resources. The use of an Excel-based decision model makes the article especially useful because it connects project portfolio management with a structured method for evaluating different combinations of resources and projects. The emphasis on real-world experience also adds practical value to the discussion.

    The model described in the article provides a systematic way to examine resource allocation decisions rather than relying entirely on intuition. This makes the topic relevant for students exploring IEEE Projects for IT, particularly when projects involve planning, prioritization, resource constraints, and decision-making. The iterative search through different project and resource combinations is also a useful example of how computational models can support management decisions.

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  3. AnonymousAugust 9, 2026 at 1:07 AM

    Another strong aspect is the connection between project portfolio optimization and practical organizational constraints. When several initiatives require the same people or resources, understanding the trade-offs between projects becomes essential for improving overall outcomes. Readers interested in exploring the broader technical and application areas associated with IT can also refer to Domains in IT Industry.

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