The planning network as a basis for resource allocation, cost planning and project profitability assessment

The planning network is well established as a tool for the planning of projects, and its usefulness as a catalyst for both time and cost control has been demonstrated. However, the task of management involves consideration of other factors besides merely time and cost. The overriding objectives of most commercial organisations are to make a profit, to maximise that profit and to obtain that profit from the deployment of available (or acquirable) resources. The basic planning problem is, therefore, how to decide between alternative ways of using resources such that the best profits are obtained.