Manage Business Resources
A practical guide to analysing, planning, allocating and reviewing business resources for BSBOPS501
This site will be updated with videos shortly.
ACADEMIC GUIDE
Your Learning Journey
01
Analyse Resource Requirements
Identify what people, tools and funds your business needs
02
Develop Resource Plans
Create detailed plans linking resources to business strategy
03
Allocate Resources
Assign resources fairly whilst following policies
04
Review and Report
Measure performance and suggest improvements
Formative Knowledge
Building Your Foundation
Master the four core elements of resource management through practical examples and real-world scenarios
What Is Resource Analysis?
Resource analysis connects the dots between business strategy and what you actually need to deliver results. It's about identifying the right people, tools and funds before you start.
Think of it like planning a road trip—you wouldn't leave without checking fuel, maps and passengers, would you?
Why Resource Analysis Matters
Avoid Waste
Stop spending money on things you don't need or buying too much of what you do
Realistic Budgets
Base your financial plans on actual needs, not guesswork
Strategic Alignment
Ensure every resource request supports your business goals
1.1 Develop Resource Bids
A resource bid is your formal request for what you need. It must clearly link to your business plan's strategic objectives—finance won't approve a random shopping list.
Match Business Outputs
Connect each request to specific deliverables in your strategic plan
Justify the Investment
Explain how these resources help achieve organisational goals
Be Specific
Include quantities, timeframes and expected outcomes
1.2 Consult Stakeholders
Before making decisions, gather input from the people who'll actually use the resources. Managers, HR, IT and team members all have valuable insights.
Who to Consult:
  • Department managers who understand workflow needs
  • HR for workforce planning and skills gaps
  • IT for technology requirements
  • Finance for budget constraints
  • End users who know the day-to-day challenges
1.3 Analyse Costs and Benefits
Compare the total cost of ownership against the benefits to justify your spending. Look beyond the initial price tag.
1
Total Costs
Purchase price, installation, training, maintenance, upgrades
2
Weigh Against
Cost-benefit analysis
3
Expected Benefits
Productivity gains, time savings, quality improvements, strategic value
1.4 Share Resources
Look for opportunities to share resources across departments. Two teams using one system is smarter than buying two separate solutions.
Shared Software
Enterprise licences can serve multiple departments
Equipment Pools
Meeting rooms, vehicles, tools used by various teams
Specialist Staff
Experts who support multiple projects
Micro Recap: Analyse Resources
1
What is a resource bid?
A formal request linking resource needs to business strategy
2
Why consult stakeholders?
They understand true needs and prevent costly gaps
3
How do costs and benefits guide decisions?
They show if spending delivers value worth the investment
4
Why share resources?
Sharing reduces duplication and improves efficiency
What Is a Resource Plan?
A resource plan connects resources, budgets, timelines and goals into one coherent document. It's your roadmap showing what you need, when you need it and how much it'll cost.
Would you start driving without knowing your destination or route?
Linking Plans to Strategy
Resource planning isn't busywork—it directly supports business growth by ensuring you have what you need to execute your strategy.
1
Business Strategy
Where we're going
2
Resource Plan
What we need to get there
3
Execution
Achieving goals efficiently
4
Success
Strategic objectives met
2.1 Internal vs External Resourcing
Internal Resources
  • Existing staff with institutional knowledge
  • Company-owned equipment and facilities
  • Better cultural fit and control
  • Fixed costs already in budget
External Resources
  • Specialist contractors for specific skills
  • Hired equipment for short-term needs
  • Flexibility to scale up or down
  • Variable costs and fresh perspectives
The key is balancing internal capabilities with external expertise based on your specific needs and constraints.
2.2 Evaluate Allocation Procedures
Create checkpoints to review if resources are being used effectively. Mid-project reviews catch problems before they become expensive disasters.
1
Set Review Points
Schedule check-ins at 25%, 50% and 75% completion
2
Measure Against Plan
Compare actual usage to planned allocation
3
Adjust as Needed
Reallocate resources based on findings
2.3 Identify Risks and Processes
Every plan needs contingency for things that might go wrong. Include risks from new technology, legal changes and unexpected events.
Technology Risks
AI tools, data privacy, cybersecurity threats
Legal Risks
Regulation changes, compliance requirements
Financial Risks
Budget cuts, currency fluctuations, supplier issues
2.4 Obtain Approvals
Before spending a single dollar, get sign-off from management. Approvals aren't red tape—they're accountability checkpoints protecting both you and the organisation.
Why Approvals Matter:
  • Ensure spending aligns with priorities
  • Protect against unauthorised expenditure
  • Create audit trails for compliance
  • Verify budget availability before committing
Micro Recap: Develop Plans
1
What's in a resource plan?
Resources, budgets, timelines, risks and approval processes
2
How are risks handled?
Through contingency planning and regular monitoring
3
Why are approvals critical?
They ensure accountability and prevent unauthorised spending
Allocation
Turning Plans into Action
Allocation means assigning the right people, tools and budgets to the right tasks at the right time.
Policies and Fairness
Following organisational policies during allocation ensures compliance and fairness. Rules aren't obstacles—they prevent conflicts and legal problems.
Workplace Safety
Allocate resources that meet WHS requirements
Equal Opportunity
Ensure fair access to resources for all staff
Financial Controls
Follow spending limits and authorisation procedures
Environmental Standards
Choose sustainable options where possible
3.1 Follow Policies and Procedures
Legal Requirements
  • Work Health and Safety regulations
  • Fair Work Act provisions
  • Privacy and data protection laws
  • Environmental compliance
Internal Policies
  • Procurement procedures
  • Budget approval processes
  • Resource booking systems
  • Quality standards
Skipping safety checks or ignoring procedures can lead to accidents, legal penalties or project failures.
3.2 Manage Allocation to Meet Goals
Strategic allocation matches the right people to the right tasks. Poor allocation blocks success—imagine assigning complex coding to someone who's never programmed.
Assess Skills
Match team capabilities to task requirements
Consider Availability
Check workload and competing commitments
Monitor Progress
Track if allocation is achieving objectives
3.3 Negotiate and Obtain Resources
Negotiation skills help you secure what you need on time and within budget. Compromise often leads to better outcomes than rigid demands.
Understand Priorities
What matters most to the other party? Find common ground.
Prepare Alternatives
Have backup options if your first choice isn't available.
Build Relationships
Good negotiations create long-term partnerships.
3.4 Monitor Resource Usage
Track usage through logs, reports or software. Without monitoring, you won't notice waste, theft or inefficiency until it's too late.
Monitoring Tools:
  • Spreadsheets for basic tracking
  • Project management software
  • Asset management systems
  • Time-tracking applications
  • Financial reporting dashboards
Micro Recap: Allocate Resources
Why follow procedures?
They ensure legal compliance, safety and fairness in allocation decisions
What is negotiation's role?
Securing resources through compromise and building supplier relationships
Why monitor use?
To detect waste, prevent loss and ensure efficient resource deployment
Learning from Results
Reviewing resource usage measures performance against goals. If you never review, you'll repeat the same mistakes every quarter.
Reviews transform experience into learning and improvement.
Reporting for Improvement
Collect Data
Gather actual usage, costs and outcomes
Compare to Plan
Identify variances and their causes
Document Lessons
Record what worked and what didn't
Share Insights
Report findings to stakeholders
Apply Learning
Use insights to improve future planning
4.1 Review Procedures
Establish clear review steps tied to specific objectives. Don't wait until project end—mid-reviews catch problems whilst you can still fix them.
1
Set Review Schedule
Define when reviews occur (monthly, quarterly, milestone-based)
2
Identify Metrics
Choose KPIs that measure resource effectiveness
3
Assign Responsibility
Designate who conducts reviews and reports findings
4.2 Suggest Improvements
Use review findings to make work more efficient. Small ideas can make big differences—shortcuts suggested by team members often save hours weekly.
Types of Improvements:
  • Process streamlining to reduce steps
  • Technology upgrades for automation
  • Training to build internal capability
  • Reallocation based on demand patterns
  • Supplier changes for better value
4.3 Monitor Budgets and Take Action
Compare actual spending against budgets regularly. When problems emerge, act quickly—waiting turns small leaks into floods.
85%
On Budget
Projects with weekly budget monitoring
45%
On Budget
Projects with monthly monitoring only
23%
On Budget
Projects with no regular monitoring
4.4 Prepare Reports on Performance
Summarise performance, lessons learnt and next steps in clear reports. Your boss should understand key findings in one read—don't bury important results.
Executive Summary
Key findings and recommendations at a glance
Detailed Analysis
What happened, why and what it means
Action Items
Specific recommendations with owners and timelines
Micro Recap: Review and Report
Why review?
Reviews identify what worked, what didn't and why, enabling continuous improvement
Why report honestly?
Hiding problems damages trust and prevents learning from mistakes
How do reviews improve performance?
They transform experience into actionable insights for future projects
Summative Assessment
Demonstrate Your Skills
Six practical tasks that mirror real-world resource management from analysis through to reflection
Assessment Task Overview
Task 1: Analyse Needs
Consult stakeholders to identify human, physical and financial resource requirements
Task 2: Develop Plans
Create three detailed resource plans plus a comprehensive risk assessment table
Task 3: Allocate Resources
Assign resources following policies and set up tracking systems
Task 4: Monitor Usage
Review efficiency, identify issues and recommend changes
Task 5: Report to CEO
Write a 400-word report summarising performance and recommendations
Task 6: Video Reflection
Record 1–2 minutes discussing learning and future application
Building Your Portfolio
Each task builds on the previous one, creating a complete resource management portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities to future employers.
Real-World Application
These aren't hypothetical exercises—they mirror what project managers do daily in Australian businesses
Foundation Skills
You'll demonstrate reading (interpreting requirements), writing (reports), numeracy (budgets), planning (resource allocation) and teamwork (stakeholder consultation)
Professional Practice
Experience the full cycle: analyse, plan, allocate, review, report, reflect
Your Resource Management Journey
You've now got the tools to manage resources like a professional. Remember: thorough analysis, detailed planning, fair allocation and honest reviewing create success.
"Good resource management isn't about having unlimited budgets—it's about making smart decisions with what you've got."
Apply these skills in your assessments, workplace and future career. Every project succeeds or fails based on how well resources are managed.