Resource Allocation Template for Product Planning

Plan in detail for the current sprint and at a high level for the quarter. Detailed allocation beyond 2-3 sprints is usually wasted effort because priorities shift. Quarterly capacity planning gives leadership visibility into what is feasible without creating false precision.

70-80% for individual contributors, 50-60% for managers (who have more meetings and coaching responsibilities). Teams consistently above 85% utilization show higher defect rates, slower velocity, and increased attrition within 2-3 quarters.

Create explicit allocation percentages for shared resources and track them in the assignment matrix. A designer supporting 3 squads at 33% each is less effective than one designer at 70% on one squad and 30% on another. Minimize splitting people across more than 2 teams.

Short-term: use contractors or consultants with the required skill. Medium-term: cross-train existing team members. Long-term: hire for the skill gap. Document skill gaps in the Skill Matrix section and create a plan for addressing each one.