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Were you aware that the market for jobs in resource management is expected to increase by seven per cent between now and 2028 (1)? While the demand for these roles is on the rise, the importance of resource managers in relation to consulting firms is just as important to appreciate.
What are the Primary Duties of a Resource Manager?
It is first wise to highlight some of the main responsibilities of a resource manager before moving on to discuss how these are related to consultancy. Some core duties include:
- Assigning projects to specific employees.
- Capacity planning.
- Overseeing everyday in-house activities.
- Liaising with human resources when necessary.
- Monitoring how specific resources are being utilised.
As can be seen, such titles are associated with a wide spectrum of concerns. This is also why many professionals utilise centralised management platforms such as Napta. So, how do the responsibilities outlined above relate to consultancy firms?
The global market for consultancy services is predicted to be worth a staggering $1,201 billion dollars by the year 2025 (2). Such frenetic rates of growth require entirely unique solutions in order to remain well ahead of the competition. This is one of the key benefits of resource management.
As the title suggests, these professionals are essentially responsible for ensuring that workflows are managed in an efficient manner. This results in significant cost savings and ultimately, a higher return on investment (ROI). Such savings can then be reallocated to address other core concerns (such as client relations and marketing).
Targeted Staffing Solutions
As this field has now entered into the digital domain, the use of user-friendly resource management software is often necessary in terms of employee oversight. Consultancy firms rely heavily upon choosing the right individuals for the right projects. Poor resource utilisation will often lead to unsatisfactory results and in some cases, clients may begin to look elsewhere for similar services.
Resource managers are able to avoid such a situation by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the employees themselves. In turn, it is much easier to allocate specific talents when tackling challenging projects. After all, it is always important to make the most out of the available resources.
Data-Driven Insight
Some of the duties associated with resource management will likewise occur “behind the scenes”. This is particularly the case when referring to the collation and interpretation of data. Some metrics that are regularly analysed by these professionals can include:
- The availability of certain resources (such as manpower and materials).
- Capacity versus demand.
- Project deadlines.
- Any challenges that may need to be overcome.
Once these issues have been identified, the resulting solutions can be passed on to the relevant stakeholders. This also makes it much easier to rectify small issues before they conglomerate into much larger problems.
Transparency and Insight
Resource managers represent the proverbial “hub” of a well-equipped consultancy firm. Not only will their decisions often affect day-to-day operations, but their objective oversight can often be used to ensure cross-departmental efficiency. Let’s also remember that many firms have already begun to adopt hybrid work environments. This is the reason why resource managers must employ the latest technological innovations in order to remain well ahead of the curve.
Without the presence of a resource manager, the operations of a consultancy firm would quickly grind to a halt. This is why these professionals deserve an incredible amount of recognition.
Sources:
- https://www.zippia.com/resource-manager-jobs/trends/
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210311005416/en/Global-Management-Consulting-Services-Market-Report-2021-to-2030—COVID-19-Impact-and-Recovery—ResearchAndMarkets.com
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