Talk about the game, resource allocation, or any Project Management topic. (The developer of
this game is one person who only speaks English, discussions in other languages will require
the use of Google Translate, and the quality of the translation might be very bad indeed,
I apologize)
336 comments found.
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336 comments found.
@Abdalla. I would disagree that it is a PM's job to use all the resources available to them. I think minimizing resource use while getting the job done is the better objective. So not using all staff is a good thing, it represents budget savings for the project and frees up staff to work on other projects outside the scope of the individual PM.
Perhaps this is just semantics but a "Program Manager" on the other hand DOES have the job of effectively using all resources in the program. More often the next level above a PM has the hire/fire authority and is responsible for profitability or other organizational objectives. Too many staff and no project work? Downsize. Too few staff? Start recruiting. And always look for opportunities to hire especially skilled staff for future work.
Just my opinion, thanks for the comment!
ThatPMGame is obviously a huge simplification on real PM work. In this game having a single staff member work on two tasks simultaneously puts them into burnout and greatly slows their progress. Occasionally a project is presented where burning out staff is the best way to win, more often it is not a good strategy because the burnout penalty is harsh (work is done VERY slowly).
As for your last question, well, in the real world expensive high value staff are often the key to success. But this game just doesn't model that fact. A staff member who is fast and expensive can be very useful in this game if their higher cost is compensated by savings on another task.
Someday I hope to get my Version 2 of TPMG released. That newer game handles staff training and many many more variables. In a preliminary release a few years ago players found it too complex. So I am still looking for the right balance between the game as it is now and a newer more in-depth version.
Thanks for your comments and thanks for playing! Robc,