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Last updated on Feb 13, 2025
  1. All
  2. IT Services
  3. Software Project Management

You're facing a shortage of resources for a new project. How can you secure the additional support needed?

When your project's running on empty, it's essential to get creative with resource management. To secure the extra support you need:

- Re-evaluate your project scope. Look for areas where you can scale back without compromising your goals.

- Explore alternative resources. Consider partnerships or bartering services with other businesses.

- Pitch for internal reallocation. Present a compelling case to management about why your project deserves more resources.

How have you overcome resource shortages in your projects?

Software Project Management Software Project Management

Software Project Management

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Last updated on Feb 13, 2025
  1. All
  2. IT Services
  3. Software Project Management

You're facing a shortage of resources for a new project. How can you secure the additional support needed?

When your project's running on empty, it's essential to get creative with resource management. To secure the extra support you need:

- Re-evaluate your project scope. Look for areas where you can scale back without compromising your goals.

- Explore alternative resources. Consider partnerships or bartering services with other businesses.

- Pitch for internal reallocation. Present a compelling case to management about why your project deserves more resources.

How have you overcome resource shortages in your projects?

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22 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Amit Jain, PMP, ITIL V3
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    This is a very common problem across projects specially ones which start with very limited lead time. In such situation one should be transparent with customer, review the timelines based on available resources. In parallel demonstrate how critical and strategic the project is for the organization specially financial impact or compliance impact. In parallel look to prioritize tasks, remove redundant tasks and mutualize resources through some cross training initiatives.

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  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Aviral Chauhan

    Empowering Businesses with Custom Software Solutions & On-Demand IT Talent | Founder at Techweiler Software

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    When facing a resource shortage for a new project, the first step is to optimize the full potential of your existing team. Conduct a skills assessment to align team members with project priorities, streamline workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, and leverage automation where possible. If additional support is still needed, Resource Augmentation offers a flexible solution. It allows businesses to scale efficiently without long-term commitments, bringing in specialized expertise only when required. At Techweiler, we’ve seen firsthand how the right talent at the right time can make all the difference. By strategically augmenting when necessary, businesses can overcome resource challenges effectively—without disrupting operations.

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    2
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    Contributor profile photo
    Ashay Thakur

    4x LinkedIn Top Voice | IT Service Management (ITSM) | ServiceOps | AIOps | Leadership | Digital Transformation | Process Automation | End User Support | IT Service Delivery & Operations | Mentor: Your Superpower

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    I think, start by clearly defining the project's critical needs and the impact of insufficient support. Build a strong case by highlighting the project's alignment with business goals and potential ROI. Demonstrating how additional resources will ensure success and minimize risks can make your case more compelling. Engage stakeholders early to secure buy-in and explore internal reallocations or cross-functional collaborations to bridge gaps. Leverage external partnerships or temporary staffing if needed, while keeping communication transparent and focused on the strategic importance of the project.

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    1
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    Stephan Shere

    Chief Executive Officer at Exquisite - Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Prototyping, MVPs, Cross-platform Application Development

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    Resource crunch? Don't panic! As a seasoned project manager, I've learned that creativity and communication are your best allies. First, reassess your project scope. Can you prioritize tasks or adjust timelines? Sometimes, less is more. Next, look internally. Are there team members with untapped skills? Cross-training can be a win-win. Consider outsourcing non-core tasks. It's often cost-effective and frees up your team for critical work. Leverage technology. Automation can boost productivity without adding headcount. Finally, make a compelling case to stakeholders. Show the ROI of additional resources and the risks of understaffing. Remember, resourcefulness is your superpower. How will you think outside the box to deliver success?

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    1
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    William Thiago Hentges

    Project Manager | CSM® | ScrumMaster | PMO | IT Project Leadership

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    Eu começaria identificando as necessidades críticas do meu projeto e os riscos da falta de recursos e de suporte insuficiente. Construiria um case sólido, alinhando-o às metas de negócios e destacando o ROI. Mostraria como recursos extras garantiriam o sucesso e reduziriam riscos. Envolveria stakeholders cedo para apoio e exploraria realocações internas ou parcerias multifuncionais. Consideraria também a busca por colaborações externas ou temporários, mantendo minha comunicação clara e estratégica.

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    Contributor profile photo
    Mukesh Gaur

    TechLead | Manager | ProfessionalScrumMaster(PSM-I® ) | AWSCertifiedSolutionArchitect Associate

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    In my experience, prioritizing tasks based on impact has been crucial—focusing on high-value activities while postponing or simplifying less critical ones. Leveraging cross-functional teams and automation tools has also helped bridge resource gaps.

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    Weslley Araújo

    Data & LLM Engineer | Python Developer | GenAI | LLM | SLM | NLP | AI Agents

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    Pela minha vivência, priorizar os entregáveis é o passo mais importante, idealmente concentrando os esforços nos componentes mais críticos do projeto, buscando garantir que os recursos disponíveis sejam usados de maneira eficiente.

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  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Stephan Shere

    Chief Executive Officer at Exquisite - Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Prototyping, MVPs, Cross-platform Application Development

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    Resource scarcity is every project manager’s challenge, but there are ways to overcome it. Start by prioritizing tasks and reallocating resources to focus on the critical path. This ensures your team works on the most important activities first. Foster cross-functional collaboration—other departments may have untapped talent or additional capacity to assist. Outsource non-core activities or hire temporary contractors to fill skill gaps without long-term commitments. Invest in upskilling your team, so they can take on new responsibilities. Lastly, build a data-driven case for additional resources to highlight potential ROI and the risks of inaction.

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  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Lazaro Lemos

    Impulsa innovación y crecimiento con IA | Estratega en transformación digital, desarrollo de negocios y reclutamiento tecnológico | Escríbeme y forma tu equipo en horas.

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    I’ve faced resource shortages in multiple projects, and honestly, qualified outsourcing has always been my lifesaver. When internal resources were stretched too thin, bringing in skilled external talent allowed me to keep things moving without compromising quality. Instead of trying to do everything in-house, I focused on defining the most critical tasks that required core team involvement and delegated the rest to trusted outsourcing partners. It’s all about finding the right balance—leveraging external expertise while keeping strategic control. Have you tried outsourcing to bridge resource gaps? It’s been a game-changer for me!

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    Venkata V

    Senior Project Manager | Release Train Engineer | Release Manager | PgMP, PMP, SAFe - RTE, CSM, A-CSM, CSPO

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    In addressing a resource shortage for a new project, I would actively explore alternative resources, including strategic partnerships and bartering services with other businesses. This involves identifying potential collaborators whose complementary skills or resources align with project needs, and creating mutually beneficial arrangements. I would conduct thorough due diligence to assess the partner's capabilities and ensure alignment with project goals and values. By leveraging bartering or service exchanges, we can minimize financial strain while gaining access to necessary expertise or tools. I would also investigate co-marketing or joint venture opportunities to expand our resource pool and market reach.

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