Prerequisites for All Users
This article highlights the fundamentals of ResourceFirst and contains a directory of topics recommended for all users.
All Users
Once you’ve viewed the Introduction to ResourceFirst video, you are ready to explore more content.
More videos will be coming soon for each of these topics. For now, here’s a directory of where to begin learning how to use the product.
Basic Navigation
Start with the article Resource First Navigation which will show you how to log in, change your password, and get around in the tool.
Understanding OBS Nodes
Next, it’s important to understand OBS Nodes.
In ResourceFirst, all projects are created within a defined Project OBS (or Organizational Breakdown Structure). Resources are created within a defined Resource OBS.
Often, the Resource OBS is organized by Enterprise–>Division–>Department, etc. During initial configuration, your administrator, with guidance from PDWare, will set up the OBS. The Project OBS may be by delivery organization, product line, or some other project grouping.
The OBS is used for granting rights, for reporting, and for setting the data filters for your session (i.e., which data you would like to see when you open ResourceFirst).
Read the article Setting Global Filters and Date Parameters for more on how to set your session filters. These data load settings are remembered across sessions so you won’t have to do it again unless you want to change the data set or date ranges you’re looking at.
Managing and Editing Views
The spreadsheet-like grid pages in ResourceFirst are called Views. The article Managing and Editing Views will show you how to set up and administer your views, and even create your own personal views.
Entering Data in Cells·
Once you’ve figured out how to set the data filters for your session and created views with which to look at the data, now it’s time to learn how to enter data into ResourceFirst.
Don’t worry. It’s not all that complicated — You simply enter data into cells, like any other software product. However, there are a lot of shortcuts available and some features to be aware of. The article Data Entry in ResourceFirst shows how to enter data in views and forms, along with options for using copy-paste and drag-fill.
Personal Profile Options
In ResourceFirst, you can upload a profile photo, change your password, see or delete any personal views you created, and even delegate your access rights to someone else while you’re unavailable for an extended period of time. The article Personal Profile Options shows you how.
Understanding How Resource Allocation Works in ResourceFirst
The unique and flexible ResourceFirst Allocation Algorithm answers the question “Do we have enough resources with the right skills at the right time to successfully do all the projects in the portfolio?”.
It is important to understand the concept of “allocation” in ResourceFirst. Allocation is a calculated analysis value that is used in color highlighting to call attention to supply demand gaps. With assignments sorted in project priority order, ResourceFirst applies any remaining resource capacity to the assignment demand. That value is treated as allocation. Any demand that cannot be satisfied is treated as shortfall.
The level of shortfall on an assignment and on a project is indicated by the colors in the data cells (red indicates severe shortfall, orange is moderate shortfall, and yellow is mild shortfall). Allocation and Shortfall are calculated analytics and are not part of the system data. These analysis values can be displayed on project pages and in ResourceFirst reports.
In this way, ResourceFirst makes it easy to find and address resource/skill supply-demand trouble spots.
Where to go Next
Depending on your role, you can explore other articles in this section (Coming Soon!), including:
Getting Started for Resource Managers
Getting Started for Project Managers
Getting Started for Portfolio/PMO Managers
Getting Started for Team Members
Getting Started for Core Team and Administrators
Advanced Portfolio Management Topics
Advanced Administration Topics
Also, don’t forget to peruse the Glossary to understand the terminology used in resource planning and in ResourceFirst.
