Resource management software tracks, schedules, and optimizes human and material resources required for project management. This type of software helps users compare resource availability with demand and allocate said resources to deliver projects on time and on budget.
Resource management tools can also be leveraged by project managers to create schedules and plan for multiple tasks and projects.
There are two major types of resource management software: best-of-breed solutions, which focus exclusively on resource management, and all-in-one solutions that provide features for resource management combined with other functionalities such as project and portfolio management.
Resource management solutions should not be confused with project management tools. While project management software often includes features to allocate resources, resource management software does not cover tasks, milestones, or project portfolios. When delivered as a standalone product, resource management software needs to integrate with project management software or project and portfolio management software.
To qualify for inclusion in the Resource Management category, a product must:
- Define and manage various types of human and material resources
- Manage resource capacity and plan based on their availability
- Identify the best resources for each project type or task
- Deliver forecasts and demand-driven predictions for future projects
- Provide a single view of all resources used by the company
