Resource Planning & Levelling

Resource planning and levelling is the process of ensuring a project programme is achievable within the constraints of available labour, plant, and materials. Without it, programmes are aspirational rather than realistic — and unrealistic programmes create problems throughout the project lifecycle, from cost overruns and productivity losses to indefensible delay claims. Our Resource Planning and Levelling services help contractors, project managers, and owners develop resource-loaded programmes that reflect real-world constraints, optimise resource utilisation, and provide a sound foundation for cost forecasting, earned value management, and delay analysis.

What We Do

Resource Loading

Load labour, plant, and material resources onto programme activities to reflect the resources required to execute the work. We work with project teams to define realistic resource requirements for each activity, assign resources in Primavera P6 or MS Project, and produce resource histograms that show demand over time. Resource-loaded programmes support cost forecasting, cash flow analysis, and earned value management.

Resource Levelling & Optimisation

Conduct resource levelling to eliminate resource peaks, conflicts, and over-allocations. We analyse resource histograms, identify periods where demand exceeds availability, and adjust the programme to smooth resource utilisation within defined constraints. We optimise the programme to achieve the best balance between resource efficiency and schedule performance.

Resource Constraint Analysis

Analyse the impact of resource constraints on the project schedule. We model scenarios where resource availability is limited and assess the programme implications. We identify which activities are most sensitive to resource constraints, determine the schedule impact of resource limitations, and recommend strategies to manage constraints without compromising the critical path.

Productivity Assessment & Benchmarking

Assess and benchmark productivity assumptions used in the programme. We review activity durations against industry productivity norms, project-specific conditions, and historical performance data. We identify unrealistic productivity assumptions that may undermine programme credibility and recommend adjustments supported by evidence.

Resource-Driven Schedule Development

Develop schedules that are driven by resource availability rather than unconstrained logic. We build programmes that reflect the actual pace of work achievable with available resources, ensuring the schedule is realistic and achievable from the outset. Resource-driven schedules provide a more reliable basis for project planning and commercial management.

Workforce Planning & Mobilisation Scheduling

Develop workforce plans and mobilisation schedules that align resource ramp-up with programme requirements. We plan the timing of labour mobilisation, trade sequencing, and demobilisation to ensure resources are available when needed and not retained longer than necessary. We support efficient workforce management throughout the project lifecycle.

Resource Reporting & Forecasting

Prepare resource reports and forecasts that support project management and commercial decision-making. We produce resource histograms, S-curves, and tabular reports showing planned versus actual resource utilisation. We provide regular resource forecasts that support procurement, subcontractor management, and cost control.

Earned Value Management Integration

Integrate resource loading with earned value management (EVM) frameworks. We establish resource-loaded baselines that support earned value measurement, develop performance measurement baselines (PMB), and produce EVM reports including CPI, SPI, and completion forecasts. We help project teams understand performance trends and take corrective action early.

Who We Are

Our Resource Planning and Levelling team combines certified scheduling professionals with experienced construction practitioners. We understand how projects are resourced and how resource constraints affect schedule performance in the real world. We are experienced Primavera P6 practitioners with a track record of developing resource-loaded programmes for major rail, transport, and infrastructure projects across NSW and Queensland. Our resource plans are realistic, well-documented, and built to support project execution, cost control, and commercial management.

Felipe Ramirez

Managing Director

[email protected]

Provides strategic oversight and technical leadership on resource planning engagements. Felipe brings 20+ years in design, construction, and project delivery across major infrastructure programs. He supports resource planning with deep understanding of construction methodology, trade sequencing, and the practical constraints that affect resource availability and productivity on complex projects.

Design Construction Planning Project Management

Rodrigo Sobarzo

Principal Commercial Manager

[email protected]

Supports resource planning with commercial and project controls expertise. Rodrigo brings 20+ years of experience across major rail and infrastructure programs. He ensures resource plans are aligned with commercial requirements, cost control frameworks, and contract obligations — and that resource-loaded programmes provide a sound foundation for earned value management and cost forecasting.

Commercial Management Cost Control Contract Management

Fran Rendic

Rail Infrastructure Specialist

[email protected]

Develops resource-loaded programmes for rail and infrastructure projects in live network environments. Fran has extensive experience across Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, and Queensland Rail networks. She specialises in possession-based resource planning, where resource availability is tightly constrained by access windows and network operational requirements.

Rail Infrastructure Construction Planning Design

What We’ve Delivered

Rail Infrastructure Resource Plans

Developed resource-loaded programmes for major rail infrastructure projects across Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro, and Queensland Rail networks. Resource plans reflected possession-based access constraints, trade sequencing requirements, and interface dependencies with operational rail corridors. Projects include TAP4, SMP4, Cross River Rail, and LAR2.

Tender Resource Plans

Developed resource plans for competitive bids on major infrastructure projects. Prepared resource histograms and workforce plans that demonstrated a credible, well-considered resourcing strategy. Supported bid pricing with realistic resource cost forecasts and mobilisation schedules.

Earned Value Management Baselines

Developed resource-loaded performance measurement baselines (PMB) for earned value management on major infrastructure programs. Established resource-loaded baselines that supported EVM reporting, cost performance tracking, and completion forecasting throughout project execution.

Resource Recovery Planning

Developed resource recovery plans for projects experiencing resource shortfalls or productivity losses. Analysed the root causes of resource underperformance, identified recovery strategies, and developed revised resource plans that restored programme viability within available resource constraints.

Related Services

Baseline Programme Development

Logic-driven baseline programmes that integrate resource loading to confirm achievability and support cost forecasting.

Critical Path Analysis

Critical path analysis that accounts for resource constraints and their effect on schedule performance and completion dates.

Construction Planning & Scheduling

End-to-end construction planning and scheduling services integrating resource planning from baseline through live management.

Live Program Management

Real-time resource monitoring and schedule management to track resource utilisation and address shortfalls during execution.

Commercial Management

Commercial strategy and cost control aligned with resource plans and earned value management frameworks.

Schedule Analysis & Delay Quantification

Schedule and delay analysis that uses resource-loaded programmes to quantify productivity impacts and support disruption claims.

Our Approach

Understand Resource Strategy – We begin by understanding the project’s resource strategy — how the work will be resourced, what trades and plant are required, and what constraints affect resource availability. We engage with project teams to capture the knowledge needed to build a realistic resource plan.
Define Resource Requirements – We define resource requirements for each programme activity based on realistic productivity assumptions, crew sizes, and equipment needs. We document the basis for key resource assumptions to provide transparency and support future analysis.
Load Resources in Primavera P6 – We load resources onto programme activities in Primavera P6, assign resource calendars, and configure resource settings to reflect availability constraints. We produce resource histograms that show planned demand over time.
Identify Conflicts & Peaks – We analyse resource histograms to identify over-allocations, peaks, and conflicts. We assess which activities are driving resource demand and determine where levelling is required.
Level & Optimise – We conduct resource levelling to smooth demand within availability constraints. We adjust activity timing, sequences, and durations where necessary to eliminate conflicts while minimising schedule impact. We optimise the programme to achieve the best balance between resource efficiency and schedule performance.
Validate & Document – We validate the levelled programme against the critical path and confirm that levelling has not compromised key milestones or completion dates. We document resource assumptions, levelling decisions, and the basis of the resource plan.
Report & Forecast – We prepare resource reports and forecasts that support project management and commercial decision-making throughout project execution.

Why Choose FR2

Construction Knowledge – Our resource planners understand how projects are resourced. We bring practical construction experience to resource planning, ensuring plans reflect real-world constraints and are credible to project teams, clients, and reviewers.
Primavera P6 Expertise – We are experienced Primavera P6 practitioners. We develop resource-loaded programmes that are technically rigorous, correctly configured, and compliant with client and contract requirements.
Rail & Infrastructure Specialists – We have deep experience in live rail environments where resource availability is tightly constrained by possession windows and network operational requirements. We understand how to plan resources effectively within these constraints.
Commercial Integration – We integrate resource planning with commercial management. Our resource-loaded programmes support cost control, earned value management, and claims — not just project execution.
Realistic & Defensible Plans – We build resource plans that are realistic, well-documented, and defensible. Documented productivity assumptions and resource strategies provide a clear record that supports future delay and disruption analysis.
End-to-End Support – From tender resource planning through baseline development, live resource management, and recovery planning, we provide resource planning support across the full project lifecycle.

Get in Touch

Need realistic, defensible resource planning and levelling for your project? Contact our team to discuss how we can help you develop resource-loaded programmes that support project execution, cost control, and commercial management.

Lead contacts:
Felipe Ramirez – Managing Director
[email protected]

Rodrigo Sobarzo – Principal Commercial Manager
[email protected]

Fran Rendic – Rail Infrastructure Specialist
[email protected]

More of the FR2 team

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Miguel Lorca Economist & Data Scientist

Economics, data modelling & policy analysis for infrastructure decisions.

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Eli Diaz Industrial Engineer & PM

Project planning, controls & delivery support for complex infrastructure.

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Rodrigo Sobarzo Principal Commercial Manager

Commercial management, cost control & contract strategy on major programs.

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Our Services

See Get in touch at the bottom of this page.