Help - Any Project Manager Experts Out There?

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Discussion Overview

This thread features a discussion initiated by a participant, Rita, who seeks assistance with a management challenge involving a significant backlog of document entries. Participants share their calculations and experiences related to project management and workforce planning to address Rita's situation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, estimates that hiring 4-5 additional workers could help Rita manage her backlog effectively.
  • Another participant shares their calculations, suggesting that with the current workforce, Rita's team could cover most of the backlog, needing only one additional person to meet the deadline.
  • Several users express admiration for the analytical skills demonstrated in the discussion, highlighting the enjoyment of solving planning puzzles.
  • One participant mentions their background in training design and project management, indicating a personal interest in the planning aspect of Rita's dilemma.
  • Another participant emphasizes that no topic is off-limits in the community, reinforcing the supportive nature of the forum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the exact number of additional workers needed, with some suggesting 4-5 while others propose only one more. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best approach to tackle the backlog.

Contextual Notes

Participants engage in a problem-solving exercise based on the details provided by Rita, focusing on workforce management and planning strategies without implying any official guidance.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in project management challenges or those looking for insights into workforce planning may find this discussion relevant.

R
rwester
Silver Member
Messages
43
I know this is COMPLETELY off topic, but since we support each other for everything else, I'm hoping I can find someone to assist with this management dilemma:


Known(s):
  • Roughly 67,000 document entries behind.
  • Continue to add another 2200 average documents per day.
  • Currently averaging 4250 completed a day (utilizing an 8 person workforce).
  • Need to be caught up, within one week no later than Sept 1st. (Meaning on September 1st, the employees should be entering the 2200 documents submitted August 25th.


Unknown(s):
  • How many document entries per day must be completed in order to meet the August 31 deadline
  • How many additional employees must be brought in to accomplish such a task, based on our per day current average, and working 6 days a week.

I swear, I feel like I love Lucy working at the candy factory!!

Rita
 
Give me a few minutes Rita to give you an educated estimate.
 
Hi Rita:

Thanks for giving me a brain exercise to do! I think you'll be able to get rid of your backlog IF you hire 4-5 people and have them ready to go (trained etc) by August 1.

Currently, each person completes 531 docs per day, or 3,187 per 6-day week. The backlog of 76,000 would take one person 24 weeks
(76,000/3,187). You have 4 weeks (by the time you hire and train temps). So, you would need 6 temps to clean up the backlog.

Keep in mind, though, that your current team cranks out almost double the daily inflow, so they can also attack the backlog. So, I recommend 4-5 temps, get them trained and ready to go August 1.

I hope my math is right and that I was helpful :)

rwester said:
I know this is COMPLETELY off topic, but since we support each other for everything else, I'm hoping I can find someone to assist with this management dilemma:


Known(s):
  • Roughly 67,000 document entries behind.
  • Continue to add another 2200 average documents per day.
  • Currently averaging 4250 completed a day (utilizing an 8 person workforce).
  • Need to be caught up, within one week no later than Sept 1st. (Meaning on September 1st, the employees should be entering the 2200 documents submitted August 25th.


Unknown(s):
  • How many document entries per day must be completed in order to meet the August 31 deadline
  • How many additional employees must be brought in to accomplish such a task, based on our per day current average, and working 6 days a week.

I swear, I feel like I love Lucy working at the candy factory!!

Rita
Click to expand...
 
First, we have to make some additional assumptions so I'm going to assume the following:The increase is per business day - so 2200/day or 11K per week.
Additional help may take a few days to acquire.
New help will work at a reduced rate due to learning curves and possibly not having consistent temp help...I'll apply about an 80% factor for pace.Results:You'll have about 133,000 documents to finish by August 31st.
You have about 30 working days.
Current help will cover about 127,500 of those at the current pace.That leaves 5500 documents left at 400/day for a new person and can be completed in only 13.75 days. With 30 days available you only need one more person!Granted, this is without a fatigue factor for your current employees.You need to keep them motivated at their current pace.Based on that, I'd get 2 people starting Monday for 3 weeks to assist.
 
janet you rock!
 
I'm in awe of the both of you!
 
susanr613 said:
janet you rock!
Click to expand...

Nope, just a geeky Industrial Engineer...haven't had a good planning puzzle in awhile though - he-he...

Good luck Rita - hope the assumptions are valid based on what you gave me and keep us posted.

Luckily you have 6 weeks left and can get help now and re-evaluate in 2-3 weeks and see if you are on pace still.
 
Yep- still just sitting here with my mouth hanging open in awe! I won't even tell you how I would have come up with how many workers she needed! :) LOL
 
Rita - I have nothing to add to your inquiry except that NOTHING is ever off topic around here. That is what the Lounge is for... any and everything non-PC related.
 
i am a training designer but have also run training projects as well as emergencies (transitioning files, etc)

i'm with janet - it's fun to have a planning puzzle to do!

janetupnorth said:
Nope, just a geeky Industrial Engineer...haven't had a good planning puzzle in awhile though - he-he...

Good luck Rita - hope the assumptions are valid based on what you gave me and keep us posted.

Luckily you have 6 weeks left and can get help now and re-evaluate in 2-3 weeks and see if you are on pace still.
Click to expand...
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Thanks to you both. I am so burned out, I simply cannot think today. I've attached what I was working on at the time so that if you're interested, you can see our comparisons. (I had to zip it since we cannot upload Excel files)
I love numeric puzzles, but sometimes my brain just isn't functioning. If you like puzzles and brain benders, try Sudoku (my other addiction aside from Pampered Chef)
Again, I appreciate your evaluations. I will now take all into consideration.
Happy Selling,
Rita
 

Attachments

Last edited:
:eek:Janet and Susan:eek:


I thought I was a pretty educated girl until I opened and read through this thread.........................


guess we all have our strengths, huh?!;)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a project manager in direct sales?

A project manager in direct sales is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects related to sales initiatives. This includes coordinating with team members, managing timelines, and ensuring that sales goals are met while adhering to budget constraints.

How can project management improve my direct sales efforts?

Effective project management can streamline processes, enhance communication among team members, and ensure that sales strategies are implemented efficiently. By using project management tools and techniques, you can track progress, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions to improve sales performance.

What tools are recommended for project management in direct sales?

Popular project management tools for direct sales include Trello, Asana, and Monday.com. These tools help in organizing tasks, setting deadlines, and collaborating with team members. They also provide visual dashboards to monitor project progress and sales performance.

How do I handle team conflicts during a project?

Handling team conflicts requires open communication and a structured approach. Encourage team members to express their concerns, facilitate discussions to find common ground, and focus on solutions rather than problems. If necessary, involve a neutral third party to mediate the situation.

What skills are essential for a project manager in direct sales?

Key skills for a project manager in direct sales include strong communication, leadership, organization, problem-solving, and time management. Additionally, familiarity with sales processes and the ability to analyze data can greatly enhance a project manager's effectiveness in this field.

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