Chapter 17: Activity Resource Usage Model and Tactical Decision Making
119. The following three situations are given for Gioulis Architects:
I. Gioulis Architects employs 10 architects who can supply a capacity of 18,000
billable hours per year. The costs related to these 10 architects amounts to
$900,000 or $50 per hour. Last year, the firm billed 17,800 hours. Next year, the
firm estimates billing hours to take a slight downturn to 17,000 hours. However,
Gioulis plans to retain all 10 architects.
II. Gioulis Architects also employs surveyors on a contract basis. Last year, Gioulis
contracted with 8 surveyors to provide surveys for existing projects. Due to the
expected downturn for next year, Gioulis will only contract services of 7
surveyors as needed.
III. Gioulis currently leases space in a building at the cost of $36,000 per year. They
are outgrowing their space and contemplating a decision to design and build their
own building at a cost of $250,000. The new building would have space for at
least 18 architects.
Identify which resource category relates to each situation under the activity resource usage model and explain your
choice.
120. How is understanding of committed resources and flexible resources important to the activity resource
usage model? How does this relate to relevance?